Isabel Owens appointed as RSACC’s new CEO

Isabel Owens has been appointed as RSACC’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). She replaces Debbie Barker who retired from RSACC in December 2021 after 18 years as a volunteer and member of staff. RSACC is the only specialist sexual violence charity for survivors across County Durham.

Katie Bradshaw, Chair of RSACC Trustees commented:

“The trustees are delighted that Isabel has stepped into the role of CEO at RSACC. Isabel was excellent in her role as Deputy CEO and she has a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise in the sector. She will continue to be a true asset to RSACC and it’s a pleasure to work with her.”

York-born Isabel, was previously Deputy CEO and has been with RSACC since January 2018 having joined from Age UK North Tyneside.

Isabel commented:

“The number of survivors reporting sexual violence to the police has never been higher and combined with appalling low conviction rates there is an ever increasing demand for our services. We are currently supporting over 750 survivors, although we know that there are many more across County Durham who have yet to reach out for support through fear, shame and guilt. Our biggest challenge is managing that demand, especially as we have survivors desperate for our counselling service waiting sometimes over a year before they see one of our specialist counsellors.

My priorities for RSACC in the coming months and years will be to grow our services so we can support more survivors and to continue to campaign on all issues that affect survivors in County Durham to ensure we reduce – if not eliminate – sexual violence and help survivors gain the justice and the support they seek and deserve.”

Nationally, these are the key statistics on rape and sexual violence:

1 in 4 women, 1 in 6 children and 1 in 20 men have experienced sexual violence
The highest ever number of rapes was recorded by police in the year ending March 2022: 70,330
In that same time period, charges were brought in just 2,223 rape cases
Only 1 in 100 rapes recorded by police in 2021 resulted in a charge that same year – let alone a conviction.
5 in 6 women who are raped don’t report – and the same is true for 4 in 5 men

Isabel Owens appointed as RSACC’s new CEO

1 in 4 women, 1 in 6 children and 1 in 20 men have experienced sexual violence

The highest ever number of rapes was recorded by police in the year ending March 2022: 70,330

In that same time period, charges were brought in just 2,223 rape cases

Only 1 in 100 rapes recorded by police in 2021 resulted in a charge that same year – let alone a conviction.

5 in 6 women who are raped don’t report – and the same is true for 4 in 5 men