|
London Rape Crisis Centre
(LRCC) Management Board has had to take
the difficult decision to temporarily close our helpline and counselling
services. Our staff are offering a 'sign posting' service, referring
callers to alternative sources of advice, information and support.
The present Management Board has a long history of involvement
with women's services, but we are fairly new to London Rape Crisis
as an organisation. We have inherited an agency which faces a
number of serious difficulties, but which has 25 years experience
in supporting women and girls who have experienced sexual violence,
in public education, in research and in campaigning. London was
the first Rape Crisis Centre to open in Europe.
Our time over the last 6 months has been spent in resolving internal
issues, focusing on why LRCC has reached such a critical state,
and on planing for the future.
Problems with funding and problems with management have been the
main contributors to LRCC's current position:
- LRCC traditionally relied on core funding from London Borough
Grants Committee. When this funding was withdrawn in 1995, the
Centre's income came mainly from fixed-term project specific funding,
with a small amount of income from donations.
- In common with many voluntary organisations, LRCC has had
difficulty attracting and retaining Management Board members with
the range of skills needed to help the organisation adapt to changing
circumstances. While past Management Board members have undoubtedly
shared our commitment to the service, its aims and principles,
there appear to have been deficits in strategic, financial and
people management skills.
- LRCC has not developed a longer term strategy, is isolated
from other services, and has encountered the staffing difficulties
with which all agencies working in a high-demand, high-stress
areas will be familiar - in particular, long term stress-related
sickness.
The Management Board remains committed to LRCC's aims and principles,
and is acutely aware of the continued need for an independent
sector women's service for London women who have experienced sexual
violence. LRCC is in the fortunate position of having substantial
assets in the form of our building in central London. Our intention
is to sell the building and sue the funds to relocate and relaunch
the service. This will allow us to continue to use the bequest
as intended, but to use it more effectively. We are faced with
a choice:
- Do we restart LRCC's traditional pattern of services within
its existing structure?
- Do we close the Centre and put its assets in trust for a new
or existing agency to provide rape crisis services for women and
girls?
- Do we take the opportunity to rethink how we can best meet
our aims in the 21st century, with an open mind as
to the pattern of services, and the organisational structures
which are best placed to deliver?
However we proceed, we believe that any service needs to operate
to the following core principles:
- transparent and fair people management policies and procedures
- clear accountabilities and expectations of Management Board,
paid and unpaid workers
- equality and diversity in employment and service delivery
- a partnership approach to relationships with funders
- consultation with all 'stakeholders' in the development of
a clear longterm strategy
- effective links and working relationships with other agencies
In addition, we believe that rape crisis services for women are
most appropriately provided by women.
We want to widen the debate about the future of London Rape Crisis. We are embarking on a programme of consultation with agencies
that have an interest or expertise in work around sexual violence
against women, seeking their views on what women need from London
Rape Crisis, and the financial and structural opportunities available
to us. We are developing routes to consult London women directly.
We will be holding an advisory meeting to feedback the results
of this consultation process and to help us work through our options.
NB the consultation process closed in December 2001.
|
