Meet the team
Caroline Burrell, Centre Director
Maggie Chapman, Assistant Centre Director
Aliki, Counselling Support Worker (SIA Project)
Ali, Counselling Support Worker (Student Survivors Project)
Amrita, Senior Support Worker and Counsellor
Anna, Information and Fundraising Worker
Debbie, Counselling Support Worker
Eveline, Young Survivors Support Worker, STAR Project
Faye, Support and Advocacy Worker
Gillian, Counselling Support Worker
Hannah, Sexual Violence Prevention Worker
Hannah, Young Survivors Support Worker, STAR Project
Jan, Senior Support Worker and Counsellor
Jenni, Counselling Support Worker (Group Facilitator)
Josie, Senior Support Worker and Counsellor
Kimberley, Counselling Support Worker
Laura, Midlothian Sexual Abuse Service Outreach Worker
Lisa, Sexual Violence Prevention Worker
Lynsey, Counselling Support Worker
Katya, Sexual Violence Prevention Worker
Mairi, Young Survivors Support Worker, STAR Project
Mandy, Finance Officer
Melody, Support and Advocacy Worker
Polly, Support and Advocacy Worker
Ruth, East Lothian Sexual Abuse Service Outreach Worker
Meet the board
Kathryn Dawson
After studying French and History at university I trained as a volunteer at a women’s organisation in North Edinburgh, where I later worked for four years, and learned a huge amount. I also worked as a sexual health group facilitator in schools around Edinburgh. After study for a masters in Community Education I worked for four years as a group worker at ERCC. I now work as a prevention coordinator at Rape Crisis Scotland with a focus on developing and coordinating a programme of education for young people across many areas of Scotland. Alongside, working with a range of agencies to bring about a better understanding of sexual violence and how we can help to prevent it. In my spare time I love being in the garden with my cats.
Ariadna Grenot
After a career of Sale Coordinator for a property magazine in Spain I moved up to Edinburgh in 2012, making my dream come true of learning a new language from zero with my passion in Human Resource Management. I joined the ERCC board in August 2017. I am currently part of People Health and Wellbeing sub-committee, presently focusing on implementing a strategic plan project for the coming years. I love walking in the forest.
Kay Steven
After graduating from the University of St Andrews with a degree in Social Anthropology, I spent a year working in Westminster on a policy and research project about prostitution and global trafficking. Following this I went on to work in the field of children’s policy in Scotland, specialising in children’s rights and children’s experiences of domestic abuse. I now work in the field of equality policy in further and higher education where I lead on gender equality and violence against women. In my spare (?!) time, I am doing a masters in Gender Studies at Stirling University and run my own policy and training consultancy business. I love to bake, swim in the sea and cycle.
I studied law at the Edinburgh of University and trained in an Edinburgh law firm. After several years working as a finance solicitor, I moved into a general inhouse legal role at a public organisation. I currently hold the position of Vice Chair and Treasurer of the Board, chair the Finance and Fundraising Subcommittee, and also sit on the Fundraising, Promotion and Profiling subcommittee.
I was raised as a proud feminist and have always been interested in the intersection between women’s rights, gender, law and politics. In my spare time I love to travel and hike around Scotland.
Rowena McIntosh
As an outspoken feminist from a young age, my passion for gender equality and empowering other women led me to a career in social work where I currently practice in a service for women at risk of offending. This work involves a lot of front line work with trauma, often as the result of gendered and sexual violence, and has significantly emboldened my determination to seek the best possible justice and support for those affected by sexual violence. I am honoured to sit on the ERCC board to bring my front line experience to the governance lens. In my spare time, I love yoga, crafting, podcasts and getting outdoors.
Ruth Friskney
After working in public policy around criminal justice and equalities for several years I moved to Edinburgh to do a PhD in linguistics. My research focuses on what we can learn about institutions and society from the language that people use – including looking at how the police talk. My current work is focused on developing policy and research around young people affected by gender based violence. In my spare time I enjoy singing in a fabulous and fun choir.
Sabiha Vorajee
After working in international Human Resources for over 20 years, becoming the founder of High Value Women (a co. dedicated to helping women ask for what they want in their careers) and working with women of all ages as a mentor, I found my passion for women’s causes moving in a different direction, that of being a Board Member at ERCC. As a fervent advocate for women’s rights at all levels, being able to help in any way at ERCC is a huge privilege and honour. When I’m not working or volunteering, I love reading and writing (I write both fiction and non-fiction), cooking (and then eating it!), being with my friends and family and travelling. My ambition is one day to have a lifestyle where I can share my life with a chocolate brown Labrador puppy.
Zoe Kelly
I have worked in fundraising and philanthropy for the last five years, most recently in the major gifts department of the University of Edinburgh. I work with individual donors, trusts, foundations and businesses on gifts towards widening participation in higher education. In September 2018, I began a Masters degree in International Development at the University of Edinburgh, focusing my study on women’s access to education and healthcare worldwide. I also sit on the cross-party group on Women’s Health at Scottish Parliament.