An Oxfordshire organisation has partnered with businesses to provide strength training to survivors of sexual violence.
The Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre (OSARCC) has formed a relationship with The Project PT in East Oxford to provide a 10-week ‘Survivor Strength’ training.
The Project PT is a gym that tries to make a positive difference in the community.
The programme was funded in partnership with an Oxfordshire company.
It is offered by The Project PT’s trauma-informed female coaches, as well as OSARCC team members.
Participants can choose between boxing and strength exercises, and the gym will be closed while they are there.
All survivors who are waiting for OSARCC counselling support are welcome to participate in the programme.
Lauren Kendall, CEO of OSARCC, stated, “We are very excited to be able to offer this new programme to survivors on our counselling waiting list.”
“Physical movement can significantly enhance trauma symptoms and overall well-being, and we are grateful for the support of The Project PT trainers.
“It’s also great to collaborate with a tiny Oxford business.
“Abstract Leap were really responsive to this idea when we shared it with them and their funding means we have been able to make it happen.”
OSARCC’s counselling programme, Oxfordshire’s only non-statutory, licenced specialist service for survivors of sexual violence, was forced to shut its waiting list in April 2023 owing to increased demand and reduced resources.
Kate Taylor, social impact manager at The Project PT, stated, “OSARCC does incredible work, and at The Project PT, we are very excited and grateful to be a part of the survivor’s group.
“At The Project PT, we consider movement as a tool for empowering individuals, therefore this group represents exactly what we are about.
“As a female-owned company with multiple female managers, we are very passionate about gender equality.
“Many of us have personally experienced sexual abuse or had a close friend who has.
“This should not be the norm, so we are grateful to be a part of the survivor’s healing journeys, and of the wider solution.”
James Holwell, director of Abstract Leap, disagreed: “We are delighted to support this innovative project: we know how much charities depend on partnerships with local businesses to further their aims and we’re proud to support OSARCC’s amazing work.”
OSARCC’s paid staff and volunteers work with survivors of all ages and genders, who have experienced child sexual abuse, rape or any other form of sexual violence – whether it was experienced recently, in the past, or as children.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.