Spotlight on Barbara Fortuin
More than 19 Years of Leadership, Care and Commitment Behind the Work
At Rape Crisis, supporting survivors happens across many spaces from counselling rooms and court support, to advocacy and community work. It also happens behind the scenes, in the steady coordination, decision making, and care that ensure these services are able to function every day. Barbara Fortuin, our Programmes Manager, plays a central role in holding this work together.
Her role focuses on the smooth running and implementation of all our programmes. No two days look the same. While some aspects are planned, much of her day is spent responding to what arises, managing competing priorities, and ensuring that both staff and survivors are supported in real time.
Barbara’s journey at Rape Crisis began in 2006 when she graduated as a volunteer counsellor. She spent the early years of her work providing direct support to survivors before stepping into the role of Counselling Coordinator in 2009, a position she held for more than eleven years.
“That was probably the most amazing part of my journey,” she reflects. “I was completely invested in the growth of both clients and the team of women providing the counselling.”
In 2021, she stepped into the role of Operations Manager, now known as Programmes Manager, where she continues to shape the organisation at a management level. This year marks more than 19 years of her being part of Rape Crisis.
What has kept her here is a deep connection to the organisation’s values of growth, purpose, healing, and unity. These values continue to guide how she approaches her work and how she shows up for both survivors and her team.
For Barbara, survivor centered care is about recognising that the focus is always on the survivor’s journey. “It is about the journey of the survivor, not what I am doing or my role in it, but how I am able to show up in the way that the survivor needs,” she explains. “Everything we do should contribute to their safety, support, and dignity.”
Over the years, many moments have affirmed why this work matters. She speaks about the realities survivors face when they are not treated fairly, when young people struggle to break the silence, and when families and communities feel unsure how to respond. She also reflects on the dedication of those doing the work.
“When staff and volunteers put their own needs aside in the interest of survivors, that is when I know this work matters,” she says.
Working in a space that is constantly changing means learning how to navigate the unexpected. For Barbara, this comes down to self-containment and perspective. “Being able to contain things without letting them spill over helps a lot,” she shares. “I have also learned that it is okay to deal with one thing at a time.”
Teamwork and collaboration are central to how she leads. Grounded in the value of unity, she takes a strength based approach, recognising what each person brings and allowing those strengths to support the team as a whole.
“A supportive team is one where people feel safe enough to support and coach each other, where support is available and accessible, and where it meets the needs of the person asking for it,” she explains.
What she wishes people understood is that the impact of sexual violence does not end when the act itself ends. The effects can last for many years, which means the need for support continues long after.
“There will never be a more important time to support a survivor or the organisations working with survivors than right now,” she says.
She also reminds us that meaningful change often begins with small actions. Believing someone who discloses, offering support, or using your voice to raise awareness in your community can all make a difference.
After more than 19 years, Barbara’s journey reflects what it means to stay committed to the work, to grow within it, and to continue showing up with care and intention. While much of what she does happens behind the scenes, its impact is felt across every part of the organisation and in the lives of the survivors we support.
Thank you, Barbara, for your leadership, your steadiness, and your continued commitment to ensuring that survivors are supported with care, dignity, and respect every step of the way.
Written by
Jameelah Ebrahim
