Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre
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| Abbreviation | ERCC |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1978 |
| Type | Charity |
| Purpose | Support for survivors of sexual violence |
| Location |
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Region served | Edinburgh, East and Midlothian |
| Website | www |
Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre (ERCC) is a Scottish charity established in 1978, providing free support to survivors of sexual violence. The centre serves people residing in Edinburgh, East Lothian, and Midlothian who are at least 12 years old.[1] The ERCC is part of the network of 17 member centres under Rape Crisis Scotland.
Organizational structure
As a member of Rape Crisis Scotland, ERCC adheres to the Rape Crisis National Service Standards. The centre is led by a CEO and governed by a board of directors.
History
The Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre was established in 1978 as part of the expanding network of Rape Crisis Centres in Scotland. Mridul Wadhwa has served as the organization's CEO since May 2021.[2]
After Mridul Wadhwa, a transgender woman, was selected as ERCC's new CEO in May 2021, gender-critical women's rights activists protested, given that the position was open to women only and Wadhwa does not have a gender recognition certificate.[3] Wadha has further been a subject of public debate due to comments made regarding re-educating rape survivors as part of their recovering from their trauma. On a podcast, Wadha said individuals would not truly recover unless they addressed their “unacceptable beliefs” because “therapy is political”.[4]
ERCC policy that did not see a difference between biological females and transgender women (biological males), so someone who requested to meet with a woman may meet with a trans gender woman. This lead J. K. Rowling establishing Beira’s Place, a support and counseling service for cisgender women who are survivors of sexual violence in Edinburgh.[2]
Services
ERCC offers a range of services including:
- Support Service: Emotional and practical support in Edinburgh, East Lothian, and Midlothian.
- STAR Project: Specialized support for young people aged 12–18.
- Advocacy Service: Support for survivors engaging with the criminal justice system.
- SIA Project: Support for black and minority ethnic (BME) survivors.
- Student Survivors Project: Counseling for university and college students.
- Prevention Work: Workshops on sexual violence for 11–25 year-olds.
See also
References
- ^ "Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre". Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
- ^ a b Carrell, Severin (December 12, 2022). "JK Rowling launches support centre for female victims of sexual violence". The Guardian. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ Harding, Nick (2021-05-19). "Protests over trans woman heading rape crisis centre". The Times. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
- ^ Gordon, Tom (August 12, 2021). "Outcry over plan to educate 'bigoted' rape survivors about trans rights". The Herald. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
External links
