About Us

Welcome to HERSANA – Her Safe Space

Created in 2016 in response to the dying need to bridge the gaps in the UK’s support system, where Black women often encounter unique challenges, systemic barriers, and discrimination when seeking help, we have dedicated our time and efforts to creating safe spaces for Black femmes across England and Wales who are affected by or at risk of gender-based violence.

By focusing on healing, advocacy, and community, we create spaces where femmes can find both the support they need today and the hope they need for tomorrow.

Gender-based violence takes many forms, from rape and female genital cutting to relationships based on coercive or financial control. We are committed to eradicating all of these. We understand that escaping violence and abuse can be an immense challenge, which is why we focus on creating safe spaces designed by Black femmes, built for Black femmes, and with Black femmes at the forefront.

At HERSANA, we pride ourselves with finding creative, audacious, and innovative ways to support thousands of Black women and girls each year. Our approach is holistic, gender-specialist, culturally specific, and trauma-informed.

43%

In 2022, out of the 21 femicide victims recorded, 9 of those victims were Black femmes

62%

Rising in 2023, where 8 of the 13 femicide victims recorded were Black femmes

45%

of Black women have experienced sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking

Two black women sat behind a desk looking at the camera

Our Vision

Our vision as an organisation and for our community is that one day we will live in a society where Black femmes feel confident in reporting their experiences, accessing holistic support services, and being believed, empowered, and supported on their journey to recovery.

We envision a society where support services, policies, and communities work together to provide compassionate, culturally informed care and where every Black woman can find the resources she needs to rebuild and thrive.

Our Mission

Our mission is to create wholistic, gender-specialist, culturally specific and trauma-informed safe spaces for Black women and girls affected by or at risk of gender-based violence across England and Wales, as well as campaign to eradicate violence against women and girls in all its forms. We aim to centre Black femmes in every narrative and to provide these services in a safe and Black femme only environment.

Our Values

Through these core values, HERSANA remains steadfast in our mission to create a world where every Black femme feels safe, heard and valued.

Blackity Black

We center blackness and the experiences of Black femmes in every narrative. We honour the richness and diversity of Black identities and experiences, understanding that the lived experiences of Black women shape their realities. Our work centers on uplifting these identities and creating safe spaces where Black women can express their authentic selves.

Confidential

We prioritise the privacy and confidentiality of the survivors we support. We understand the sensitive nature of gender-based violence and are committed to protecting the experiences shared with us. Transparency, honesty and trust are paramount, and we work diligently to create a safe space where women can speak freely and seek help without fear of exposure.

Intersectional

We acknowledge that the experiences of Black femmes are shaped by multiple intersecting identities, including race, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and more. We strive to understand and address these complexities in our work, ensuring that our services are inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of all women within our community.

Empowering

We believe in the strength and resilience of every femme. Our work is dedicated to uplifting and empowering survivors, providing them with the tools and resources they need to reclaim their lives, make informed choices and advocate for themselves and their needs. Our commitment to empowerment manifests in various ways.

Audacious

We are audacious in speaking out and taking action for and with Black femme survivors. We provide platforms for their views and voices to be heard. We are passionate advocates for systemic change and will always speak about the issues and challenges Black femmes face, no matter how uncomfortable some may find them.

Survivor-led

We believe in the power of survivor voices and experiences. Our programs and initiatives are informed by the insights and needs of survivors, ensuring that our approach is relevant, effective, and truly supportive. We prioritise collaboration with survivors in all aspects of our work, empowering them to lead and shape the services that affect their lives.

At HERSANA, we view people accessing our services as survivors, rather than victims. This does not ignore an individual’s experience of victimhood, but rather defines the basis upon which we begin all interactions with service users.

Work With Us

We're a small but mighty team of passionate people who want to end violence against women and girls for good. Interested in joining the HERSANA team? See our current vacancies and further info here.

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