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Our Commitments

Survivors’ Network has a specific set of values and aims that we work to at all times.

At Survivors’ Network, we choose to use the word survivor to describe people accessing our services, recognising their strength, resilience, and the steps they have taken in navigating their experiences.

This does not dismiss or minimise the reality of victimisation or harm, but reflects the compassionate, empowering approach that underpins our work. We meet everyone who comes to us with belief, respect, and an understanding of their individual journey.

 

Who We Welcome

Based in Sussex, we provide a variety of support services for people who have experienced sexual violence. We welcome all survivors, regardless of:

  • Where you are living in Sussex, 
  • Your age 
  • Gender identity, expression, and/or sexuality 
  • Immigration status, where you are in the asylum process, and/or if you have ID documentation
  • Your lived experience, including class, disability and/or as people of the Global Majority. 

Some of our services are for specific communities, and we work closely alongside other charity organisations who provide options for further specialist support. Please see our pages for more details, or contact us to speak to a member of our Welcome Team to help you decide which service is best for you.

 

Our vision:

Uniting to confront sexual violence, abuse and harassment so that no one has to face the impacts alone

Our mission:

  • Delivering accessible, survivor-centred services across Sussex
  • Empowering our communities to stand up against sexual violence, abuse and harassment through education, training and campaigning
  • Demonstrating and advocating for intersectional feminist leadership

We work to this set of key values:

We are compassionate

We hear, we listen, and we believe survivors. We take care of ourselves so that we can support others. We set boundaries and we uphold them too, while always striving to understand the needs and perspectives of our communities. 

We are empowering

We create space for all voices to be heard. We lift each other up and believe that we’re all leaders. We understand the importance of communication and feel confident to challenge and to ask questions. We’re transparent and take ownership of our decisions, even the difficult ones.

We are collaborative

We’re stronger together, so we work with others to build valuable relationships. Many of us are survivors ourselves and survivor voices are woven into everything we do. We’re constantly learning, understanding our own privileges and seek to dismantle bias and discrimination both within and outside our organisation. 

We are brave

We seek out new ideas and speak up for our beliefs. With the courage to try new ways of doing things, we learn and unlearn as we go. Our feminist leadership empowers us to be creative and innovative, celebrating our successes and learning from our mistakes.

 

Our Aims

  1. Survivors are more in control of their lives
  2. There is a greater understanding of healthy relationships
  3. People are more able to speak out about sexual violence
  4. Survivors have better health and wellbeing
  5. Survivors are more able to develop healthy relationships
  6. Survivors are more aware of the options available and more able to access support
  7. Survivors have a better experience of the Criminal Justice System
  8. Supporters of Survivors are more able to provide support

Pledges and Commitments

The Halo Code

Coral coloured oval with the Halo logo on it and the words "Halo hair code for workplaces"

Our workplace champions the right of staff to embrace all Afro-hairstyles. We acknowledge that Afro-textured hair is an important part of our Black employees’ racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious identities, and requires specific styling for hair health and maintenance.

We celebrate Afro-textured hair worn in all styles including, but not limited to, afros, locs, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, hair straightened through the application of heat or chemicals, weaves, wigs, headscarves, and wraps.

In this workplace, we recognise and celebrate our colleagues’ identities. We are a community built on an ethos of equality and respect where hair texture and style have no bearing on an employees ability to succeed.

Find out more about the Halo collective.