HERSANA CIC

Who we are

HERSANA CIC is a small but ever-growing not-for-profit organisation that creates safe spaces for Black womxn and girls affected by gender-based violence and campaigns to eradicate violence against women and girls in all its forms. Our SANA provides holistic, gender-specialist, culturally specific and trauma-informed support across England. Our combined services provide support around all forms of gender-based violence, advocacy, counselling, outreach, physical health, mental health and substance misuse amongst other things. At heart, we are a network of unapologetic Black feminists creating safe spaces for Black womxn and with Black womxn in mind. Our mission is to centre Black womxn in every narrative and our aim is to help contribute to a world where no one ever has to feel violated again. We do this by tackling the myths, misunderstandings and problematic perspectives on gender-based violence, sexual consent and healthy relationships. Whilst creating room for education, we provide holistic support to Black womxn and girls who have experienced any form of gender-based violence, at any stage of their lives, by providing free counselling, advocacy and outreach support.

While rape culture and misogyny pervade our society and impact all survivors of violence, Black women are more likely to experience gendered violence at higher rates than women of White or Asian ethnicity (Crime Survey for England and Wales). Another issue is the major lack of culturally specific specialist services by, for and with Black womxn in mind. There are very few spaces where Black womxn can come together and focus on the specific needs of other Black womxn and girls who have experienced gendered violence.