CoLab Women

What we’ve learned about sexual harm...

🎬 It doesn’t always look the way TV shows it.
📞 It isn’t always reported.
💭 And people respond in many different ways.

💛 Every experience is unique.
🤝 Every reaction is valid.

🌱 Awareness begins with understanding — not assumptions, not judgement, but empathy.

There’s no single “right” way to respond to harm.

🗣 Some people speak out straight away.
📖 Some choose silence to protect themselves.
⌛ Some need time to find the words for what happened.

Every response is valid.

Everyone deserves compassion, patience, and understanding.

You are allowed to move at your own pace. 💛

While plans for the Liberty Centre take a pause, our day-to-day work with women at CoLab continues. ❤️

We’re really looking forward to seeing how plans develop over the coming months and we all remain deeply committed to the vision of a safe, healing, and welcoming place for women in Exeter. ✨

🌱 We’re taking a short pause in the development of the Liberty Centre as we navigate a time of transition across the system. With changes to the funding landscapes and ongoing shifts within local authorities and partner organisations, it feels important to take the time to move forward in a way that is thoughtful, realistic, and sustainable.🌱

Our ambition hasn’t changed and we remain committed to seeing a Women’s Centre in Exeter. What is changing is how we get there.

Over the coming months, this will be a broader, collaborative effort, working closely with multiple partners to shape something strong, resilient, and rooted in collective expertise.

We’ll share updates as plans progress and are grateful for the continued support, patience, and belief in what we’re working towards. 🌻

Sexual Violence Awareness isn’t about telling people to be more careful.

It’s about:

• Respecting boundaries
• Understanding consent
• Not making assumptions
• Taking responsibility for our behaviour

Small shifts in understanding can make a big difference.💛

We are really proud that our CoLab Women team are part of this new integrated offer across Devon, working in partnership to create specialist sexual violence support for everyone.

We will build on the learning from our 2 year Sexual Violence Pathfinder programme to continue a trauma stabilisation support offer that is bespoke to each woman that we work with.❤️

We are proud to announce the launch of the new Devon Sexual Violence Support Partnership.

Survivors of sexual abuse and r**e will now be provided with improved support that better meets their needs across Devon and Cornwall, with main funding by The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall .

Across Devon we will be working in partnership with & to provide specialist support.
The new model will strengthen local leadership, coordination and oversight, ensuring clearer pathways for those who need help and a more joined up, trauma-informed approach for survivors.

You can read the full statement from the OPCC via the link in our bio.

Sexual Violence Prevention Week - Consent!

Misconceptions about consent:

🍟Consent once doesn’t mean consent always.
🍟Consent in one moment doesn’t mean consent in another.
🍟Consent can be withdrawn — at any time.

It’s Sexual Violence Awareness Week.📌

Awareness weeks matter because they bring experiences and conversations into public view that are too often hidden. We support women affected by sexual violence and abuse every day, and while this work doesn’t stop after this week, it’s important to pause, acknowledge, and amplify this moment.📢

Any day of the week, month, or year must be about change - not pressure on survivors.

We prevent harm by understanding consent, respecting boundaries, and challenging assumptions.❤

Awareness is about learning - not asking survivors to explain or disclose.

The team have been working hard this year, beginning to work towards a Women's Centre for Exeter! Please visit the page and share. ⭐

🎄✨ We’re dreaming of a Women's Centre ✨🎄

This December, as many of us begin to wind down in cosy rooms filled with comfort and warmth, we’re dreaming of creating a space where every woman can experience that same feeling – all year round.

We’re fundraising to secure a property to curate a community-focused centre where women can feel safe, supported, and truly seen. The Liberty Centre vision is a “front-room” feel – a warm, welcoming and homely space where conversations happen naturally over warm drinks and connection is at the heart of all we do.

But to open the doors… we need your help.

Your support, whether a donation, a share, or spreading the word, brings us closer to securing a property to make this a reality for all women in the city.

If you would like to donate – please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/thelibertycentre?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

Exciting opportunities with MVP… take a look 👀

⭐We are recruiting!⭐

It is a great time to join the MVP as we increase our volunteer network and engagement with our communities, we are gaining great momentum to action improvements in Devon maternity and neonatal services.

If you are passionate about improving maternity and neonatal services in Devon, then please apply here:https://evolvingcommunities.co.uk/vacancies/