1994-1998

In 1994, a small group of local women come together because they were concerned at the lack of specialist, women-centred services for survivors of child sexual abuse and rape in Cornwall.
By 1996, these wonderful women establish the Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (Cornwall) as a registered charity and start running a Helpline and outreach service.

1999-2017

In 1999 we place Domestic Violence Support Workers in Police Domestic Violence Units, which then grows into the Cornwall Independent Domestic Violence Service, employing some of the first ISVAs in the country.
We establish Peer Support and Lived Experience groups which later blossom into new organisations such as Waves domestic abuse support group in Newquay (now Waves Counselling Project) and a survivor’s forum, SEEDS.
Our young women’s group host the first of many Reclaim The Night events in 2004 in Cornwall.

We pilot the first ‘Female Offender Specified Activity Requirements’ in 2012, launching the Open Service, a specialist criminal justice programme for women on probation, which later expands into Dorset and Devon.
In 2017 we launch the Community Engagement Project, co-designing projects with women and girls from hidden and isolated communities who had difficulties in accessing support.
Our DIVAS group of women with learning disabilities, neurodiversity and autism formed in 2018.

The organisation grows into what is now The Women’s Centre Cornwall after we change our name in 2018.
DIVAs train professionals including the police and other rape crisis centres and members share their knowledge and expertise through joining the Cornwall Learning Disability and Autism Partnership Boards and being invited to take part in research and consultations across the country.
International Women’s Group engages with Romanian, Bulgarian, Portuguese and Ukrainian women and delivers a dynamic array of activities including women’s health day with a local GP surgery, per-ESOP English classes and trauma-informed yoga.

Recruit our first Prison Link Worker based at HMP Eastwood Park, our nearest women’s prison, allowing us to work with women ahead of them leaving Gloucester to return to Cornwall, Devon or Dorset.
Establish the Peninsula Women’s Alliance, working together with Trevi and CoLab Exeter to champion social justice for women and girls in Devon and Cornwall and deliver co-ordinated peninsula wide services for women experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage.
Raise awareness of older people affected by recent and historic sexual and domestic abuse, running an Older People’s Pilot in partnership with Age UK and Cornwall Council.
Launch Krefta Kernow Domestic Abuse outreach service supporting women and men fleeing domestic abuse in Cornwall with our partners West Cornwall Women’s Aid and Konnect.
Create a new partnership, Sorella, with Devon Rape Crisis and Trevi, which offers peer support for women living with the impact of sexual violence.
Embrace the online world – with online support including the Campfire – the UK’s first mobile app for women living with the impact of sexual and domestic abuse. Social media presence grows with Facebook followers topping 4,000 by 2023.

2022-23 - Cornwall Council Charity of the Year

2021 - One Small Thing Silver Trauma Quality Mark

2021 - Howard League Community Award – Women’s Category – The Open Mentoring Service

2012 - Kings Fund IMPACT Award

2010 - CAADA (Co-ordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse) ‘Leading Light’ & Centre of Excellence

2010 - Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

2007 - National Rape Crisis Member Centre

2005 - Criminal Justice Board’s Award for ‘Outstanding Services to Victims and Witnesses’

2005 - Government’s Gold Star Award for Good Practice