Values & Ethos
We are a women led, women only service
Committed to providing a safe space in which survivors can heal.
Our Core Values
Our core values underpin the work of the organisation and correspond with those of the Rape Crisis Federation England and Wales.
GMRC is a women led, women only service committed to providing a safe space in which survivors can heal.
Sexual violence is perpetrated by someone who is known and by strangers. It can happen to anyone regardless of their age, ethnicity, sexuality, class, disability etc.
GMRC recognises and understands the dynamics and impact of domestic and sexual violence. There are many kinds of sexual violence but it is essentially defined as any unwanted sexual act or activity. The different kinds of sexual violence can include (but are not restricted to): rape, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, sexual harassment, rape within marriage / relationships, forced marriage, so-called honour-based violence, female genital mutilation, trafficking, sexual exploitation, and ritual abuse.
We believe that the responsibility for any act of sexual violence lies with the perpetrator. There is no excuse for sexual violence – it can never be justified, it can never be explained away and there is no context in which it is valid, understandable, or acceptable.
We also believe that sexual violence takes place within a social context that discriminates according to gender, race, ability, sexuality, and class. Sexual violence is an expression of these inequalities and we recognise that responses to sexual violence are also shaped by dominant rape myths and practices which reproduce social inequalities.
We therefore believe that sexual violence is preventable and work to challenge social tolerance of sexual violence through campaigns, training, and links with other organisations.
GMRC works to ensure that all our interventions prioritise the safety, security, and dignity of women who use our services as well as our staff and volunteers. We are committed to working to ensure that our services are accessible to all women who may need them. We provide independent and women-centred advice and support and promote the needs and rights of women in the local and wider social context.
GMRC is based on principles of self-help and empowerment, where the needs of the individual woman are put first. Our service users are provided with information, advice, and support from which to make informed choices about their own lives.
We encourage the participation of women in the development of the services provided and the organisation as a whole to identify priorities and direction. There are both formal and informal mechanisms through which service users participate in the development of the organisation.
GMRC respects and observes the service users’ right to confidentiality. Service users are informed of any situations where there are limitations to confidentiality.
GMRC works with other agencies in line with current multi-agency co-operation and collaboration. This means that GMRC has links with local and national organisations to ensure that the needs of women who use our service are addressed and to ensure the service users are safe and can access relevant agencies and support services external to GMRC.
The manager of GMRC, alongside the staff and volunteers, is responsible for ensuring these values are incorporated into our regular and daily practices and policy. The manager is supported in this by the management committee which is made up of skilled, experienced, and committed women, to oversee the development of the organisation and provide the necessary accountability and governance.
Want to support us in fulfilling our aims?
If you are interested in supporting GMRC, find out how to get involved by volunteering…
How to get in touch
Email us at: help@manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk
Call our office: 0161 273 4591
Call our helpline: 0161 273 4500
We are funded by
