Black Country Women’s Aid (BCWA) has partnered with Halesowen College to launch a poster campaign for Sexual Violence Awareness Week 2024. The posters were designed by art and design students who responded to a brief from BCWA’s Rape and Sexual Violence Service. The brief challenged them to create posters that convey the themes of moving forward, motivating people to get support, and raising awareness that rape and sexual abuse can happen to anyone in the community. The project gave the students a professional experience of working with a sensitive topic and a real client.

Bryn Griffiths, the HNC/D Photography course leader, said: “Our HNC Photography students have been working on campaigns with Black Country Woman’s Aid for a couple of years now. The sensitive nature of the services that BCWA offer, means that we have to provide compelling creative solutions. This year is no exception, Gemma Leary from Halesowen College HNC Photography, has produced a wonderful set of images. These will be used by BCWA across the region to create awareness of their services.” The posters will be displayed in various locations across the Black Country during Sexual Violence Awareness Week 2024.

BCWA will also be highlighting the specialist support services it offers to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted, or abused, such as community support, safe refuge, counselling, therapeutic services, women’s justice services, and modern slavery services.

Sara Ward, CEO of BCWA, said: “We are proud to join the #ITSNOTOK campaign and stand in solidarity with survivors of sexual abuse and violence. We want to break the silence and stigma around this issue and let people know that they are not alone and that help is available.

We provide confidential, compassionate and non-judgmental support to anyone who needs it, regardless of when the incident happened. We also work with partner agencies across the region to improve responses and outcomes for victims and survivors.

We encourage anyone who has experienced sexual abuse or violence, or who is worried about someone else, to contact us or visit our website for more information. We are here to listen, support and care.”