Our mission is to create holistic, gender-specialist, culturally specific and trauma-informed safe spaces for Black womxn and girls affected by or at risk of gender-based violence across England and Wales as well as campaign to eradicate violence against women and girls in all its forms. We aim to centre Black femmes in every narrative and to provide these services in a safe and Black femme only environment.
HERSANA CIC's vision is that one day we will live in a society where:
- Black femmes can feel confident in reporting their experiences, accessing holistic support services and being believed, empowered and supported on their journey to recovery.
- Black femmes can access culturally specific safe spaces designed by them, for them and with them in mind.
- All womxn and girls have the right to be free from all forms of gender-based violence (including child sexual abuse) and never have to feel violated again.
We do this by:
- Providing free/affordable and confidential 1-1 and group counselling support to Black femme survivors of all forms of gender-based violence living/working/studying in England.
- Providing free and confidential advocacy support to Black femme survivors of all forms of gender-based violence across England.
- Providing holistic, empathic and non-judgemental practical and mentoring support to Black womxn and girls in our communities.
- Leading in the development of best practice in research, education, communication and become an internationally recognised Centre of Excellence
- Tackling the myths, misunderstandings and problematic perspectives on gender-based violence, consent and healthy relationships by providing training to agencies, professionals, support groups and the wider community.
- Increasing awareness of gender-based violence within faith groups.
- Empowering young people and vulnerable groups to better understand their own boundaries and to respect those of others.
- Campaigning for systems and services to be transformed by contributing to the development of policy and practice levels on protecting Black femmes in England & Wales.
- Creating safe spaces for Black femmes to build confidence and self-esteem
- Empowering Black femmes by centering them in every narrative.
