Our history

Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (GRASAC) was formally known as Gloucestershire Rape Crisis Centre (GRCC). GRCC was founded in 1984 by a group of women to support women and children who have experienced rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse at any time in their lives, at a time when there were no other services in Gloucestershire and awareness and understanding of the prevalence and impacts of sexual violence was marginal.

GRCC became a registered charity in 1985. In 2014, GRCC changed its legal status to become a charitable incorporated organisation and at the same time changed its name to GRASAC.

GRASAC’s free, confidential services offer support, advocacy and information to empower survivors to address the impacts of sexual violence on their lives including their impact on physical and mental health and wellbeing.

In addition, GRASAC works with statutory and voluntary organisations, and in the community at large to raise awareness of the issues surrounding rape and sexual abuse and to raise awareness of the services available for survivors.

Based in Gloucester, the service works with more than 700 women and girls each year across the county and provides much needed advice and support to help those in need to cope and recover from the impact of sexual violence.