Support for women who have experienced sexual violence
Are you finding it hard to deal with rape or sexual abuse? Need to talk to someone who understands?
The Amina Scheme is for women aged 18+ who have experienced rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse at anytime in their life.
Rape and sexual abuse can leave you feeling angry, frightened and confused. It can be difficult to talk about it. Sometimes it can feel like it will never go away. Sometimes it may seem like nobody understands. Maybe you haven’t told your family and friends; maybe you haven’t told anyone at all. Perhaps you feel it’s just time that the past stopped getting in the way and preventing you from living your life the way you want.
Amina works by training female volunteers who have survived and overcome experiences of sexual violence to support other women facing similar experiences. Amina Volunteers understand how it feels to deal with rape and sexual abuse, because they’ve been there.
Amina Volunteers will draw on their own strength, skills and experiences to offer you practical and emotional support, befriending and information. Amina aims to help women in their recovery to heal, move on and rebuild their lives.
You would be offered regular one-to-one meetings with an assigned volunteer, for a period of 10 weeks.
Amina Support Volunteers are trained to:
• help you talk about how you feel;
• give you information about the effects of sexual violence can have
• talk about things that might help you cope;
• help you work towards personal goals;
• support you at appointments or in court (when possible);
• help you access support services;
Amina Volunteers will not judge or tell you what to do. They will support you through low level, friendly, confidential, emotional and practical support.
To find out more or make a referral:
The scheme is open to women over the age of 18, working or living in the London area. If you are interested in using or referring a woman to the Amina Scheme you can download our referral form below. For more information, you can also email us at [email protected] or contact us by telephone on 0207 840 7959.
