HERSANA CIC (formerly known as The ASKFirst Campaign) was founded in 2016 by survivor and Black feminist, Christabel Yeboah, to raise awareness around rape culture and advocate for survivors of sexual violence.

Can I be honest with you? At the time, we didn't know what we were getting ourselves into. We didn't have a business plan. We weren't even registered. All we knew is that we wanted to create the safe spaces we wish we had. We wanted to radiate a small amount of light to the millions of women and girls who felt like we did - so that's exactly what we did.

For four years, the project reached out to thousands of women and girls in England, Germany and Ghana. Our journey was a reel adorned with memories, realities and endless opportunities. The reality of that was and still is that there are many Black women and girls who will not have the opportunity or the privilege to access safe spaces designed by them, for them and with them in mind. We wanted to bridge that gap and be a catalyst for change.

After five years, in 2020, we launched the first National Gender-Based Violence Support Service for Black women and girls [femmes*].

HERSANA CIC, a not-for-profit organisation working to end violence against women and girls in all its forms whilst providing intersectional trauma-informed support to Black femmes who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing any form of gender-based violence by providing holistic therapy services, independent advocacy, cultural-sensitive outreach, specialist training and workshops, and creative practical support services.