News
RASASH Reaffirms Support for Survivors Amid Rising Anti-Migrant Rhetoric
The Rape and Sexual Abuse Service Highland (RASASH) is concerned by some of the responses to the UK Government’s plans to house asylum seeking people at the Cameron Barracks in Inverness, namely the perception that migrants pose a greater risk to women and girls’ safety.
RASASH, which provides free and confidential support to survivors of sexual violence across Highland, is troubled by narratives that attempt to link the risk of sexual violence with people seeking asylum. In particular, the deliberate attempts of some groups to weaponise women and girls’ safety to justify hostility toward migrants.
This rhetoric not only spreads unfounded fear but also undermines genuine efforts to address violence against women and girls. It further reinforces the damaging myth that the greatest risk of gender-based violence comes from strangers, when evidence consistently shows otherwise. Key facts about sexual violence in the UK include:
- More than 90% of perpetrators of rape and sexual assault are known to their victims.
- One in two rapes against women are carried out by a partner or ex-partner.
- One in three adult survivors are raped in their own home.
(Figures from the National Office for Statistics, 2025)
“It is an uncomfortable reality that sexual violence is committed overwhelmingly by the men already in women’s and girls’ lives. The Highlands are unfortunately no exception,” states Eileen Stuart, RASASH Board Chair.
“We are aware that anti-migrant protests nationally have invoked concerns for women’s and girls’ safety based on the misguided belief that asylum seekers pose a greater risk. Sexual violence is rooted in misogyny, inequality, and power – not immigration status or nationality.”
RASASH unequivocally condemns all violence against women and girls and the profound harm it causes to individuals, families, and communities. We urge everyone to reject fear-mongering and misinformation that detract from meaningful efforts to end sexual violence. If we are serious about keeping women and girls safe, we must focus collectively on addressing the root causes of sexual violence: power, control, and inequality.
RASASH provides support to anyone aged 13+ affected by sexual violence—regardless of gender—as well as to non-abusing partners, friends, and family members. If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, please contact our confidential support line.
Contact Information for Confidential Support?
Call us for support on 03330 066909
Text us on 07451 288080
Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 1-5pm
Rape Crisis Scotland helpline 08088 010302
Daily 5pm-midnight?
Christmas and New Year closure
RASASH will be closing down for the festive period. We will be closing on the Friday 19th of December at 5pm and re-opening on the Monday 5th of January at 9.30am.
The advocacy and support line services will be closing earlier this year:
- Advocacy: closing for new referrals on the Tuesday 16th of December and re-opening on the Tuesday 6th of January.
- Support Line: closing on the Wednesday 17th of December at 5pm and re-opening on the Monday 5th of January at 1pm.
If you have pre-existing appointments, these will still take place as scheduled.
If you need support during the festive period, the Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline will be open from 5pm until midnight: Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline
Big Give Women and Girls Campaign is Live: Support Survivors Today
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We’re excited to share that RASASH’s Big Give Women and Girls fundraising campaign is now live! This is your chance to help us continue providing vital support to survivors of sexual violence in Highland, in particular to young women and girls in our community.
Around 32% of the survivors we worked with last year were aged 13-21, and over 80% of the survivors we support are women and girls. These statistics show how critical it is to offer specialised services like ours. It costs over £2,500 a day to operate our services, which we provide completely free to those who need them. And we rely on fundraising and donations to continue delivering our lifechanging work.
Your donation will go directly toward helping survivors reclaim their lives and feel empowered again.
Here’s how your support can make a real difference:
- £50 could keep our support line staffed, providing crucial responses to calls, texts, and emails.
- £75 could fund a prevention session for young people across Highland, helping to stop sexual violence before it happens.
- £100 could go towards an outreach support session, bringing life-changing services to survivors in rural areas.
Thanks to match funding through the Big Give, every pound you donate will be doubled! Together, we can ensure that survivors receive the support they need.
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- Donate Now – Visit our Big Give campaign page here to make a donation.
- Spread the Word – Share the campaign link with your network and encourage others to get involved.
- Get Involved – Want to do more? Host your own fundraiser or visit this page for more ways to support.
Your support is vital in helping survivors move forward. Together, we can make a lasting impact!
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RASASH Welcomes Award-Winning Journalist Iona M.J. MacDonald as Charity Ambassador
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As part of International Women's Day, we're proud to announce the appointment of award-winning teenage journalist Iona M.J. MacDonald as our newest Charity Ambassador. Iona’s advocacy and dedication to raising awareness of gender-based violence make her a perfect fit for our organisation's mission to support survivors and combat sexual violence.
In her role as Charity Ambassador, Iona will work closely with RASASH to amplify our message, promote our services, and advocate for the rights of survivors. Through her platform and influence, Iona aims to challenge stereotypes surrounding survivors of gender-based violence and empower others to speak out against abuse.
Reflecting on her appointment, Iona expressed her excitement to contribute to RASASH's life-changing work.
"There was a time where I never thought I would gain the freedom to have my name or picture anywhere public, without putting myself and my loved ones in danger. So now, it fills me with fierce pride to say I'm the new Charity Ambassador for RASASH - a lifeline charity helping people who are enduring circumstances similar to my own past experience of gender-based violence."
As an award-winning teenage journalist, I want to change the stereotypes of what a survivor "should" look like, or "should" be capable of. I wish for a world where all survivors can seize the freedom and empowerment to write their own narrative too. I'm really looking forward to getting involved with this essential charity who carries out fearless, life-changing work."
Our CEO, Romy Rehfeld, reflected on Iona’s appointment, stating, "We are thrilled to welcome Iona M.J. MacDonald as our Charity Ambassador. Her passion, resilience, and dedication to raising awareness of gender-based violence are inspiring. With Iona's support, we will continue to expand awareness of our service and provide vital support to survivors in our communities across Highland."
Iona’s appointment comes at a critical time for our organisation as we strive to meet the increasing demand for our services and tackle the root causes of sexual violence across Highland. As Charity Ambassador, Iona will play a pivotal role in driving positive change and fostering a culture of respect and equality.
Join us in welcoming Iona to the RASASH family! Together, we'll continue our life-changing work, empowering survivors and spreading hope. Stay tuned for more updates on how you too can get involved and make a difference!
Becoming a Trustee: Experiences from an LGBT+ young woman
By a RASASH trustee. She wrote this piece for LGBT History Month about her time volunteering with RASASH and working as a Trustee for our organisation.
As we celebrate LGBT+ History Month, I reflect on my experience as a young LGBT board member in a feminist organisation.
RASASH is a charity committed to supporting survivors of sexual violence across the Highlands, providing outreach support so everyone can access the service regardless of location. It also promotes social change by raising awareness of sexual violence and campaigning.
I started volunteering at RASASH when I was 21 to support campaigning and fundraising as I believed in the importance of working towards preventing gendered-based violence.
As I learned more about feminist values and the urgency of supporting survivors of all backgrounds, I felt I wanted to help make an impact at the strategic level, but when I heard of the Trustee vacancy, I was unsure about what it implied and whether I would fit the role.
I was genuinely nervous about being young and still a student, which made getting involved in the governance of a charity feel huge. Still, encouraged by loved ones and colleagues, I decided to look into it further and apply for the role. I couldn’t be happier I did.
Even though, as a Trustee, you don’t work at the front line with survivors, you have a critical influence at the operational level and are able to contribute to the charity’s development and growth.
Being part of the RASASH’s Board has been an enriching experience, both personally and professionally. As a feminist organisation, we use consensus-based decision-making to embrace networks of connection and to allow everyone to have their say - rather than adhering to more traditional hierarchical approaches to leadership.
I’ve had the chance to meet like-minded people that I would not have met otherwise, and I feel that I can make a difference. As a young woman from the LGBT+ community, I wanted to contribute to RASASH’s services being as inclusive as possible as I believe in the importance of lifting the voices of those historically unheard, such as LGBT members, which Trustee roles can enable.
I would encourage anyone with a keen interest in social change and community impact to join a charity Board regardless of their experience or background. Becoming a Trustee enables you to gain a broad range of skills, to network and to support vital services. Although it may feel overwhelming at first, experience is something that is gained over time and with good mentoring.
After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained!
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