Independent Sexual Violence Advisor Support
An ISVA is an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor. They are trained specialists and recognised by the Ministry of Justice. ISVAs offer independent, non-judgemental emotional and practical support to victims and survivors of historical or recent sexual violence. Our ISVAs deliver specialist, victim-centred support who will help you to understand the criminal justice system, and give you the information you need to make the best decisions for you.
An ISVA will support you on a 1:1 basis, throughout the criminal justice process, as long as it takes. They will normally speak to you about once a month, and can meet over the phone, in person or via video link.
If you want to know more, please go to our page, How an ISVA Can Support You.
The ISVA service is committed to supporting all survivors of sexual violence who live, work, or study in Darlington and County Durham aged 13 and over. We provide inclusive support to everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. If you are aged 13 or over and would like to refer yourself or somebody else for our ISVA service, please do so using the secure online forms below:
If you’d like to speak to a member of our team for more information before making a referral, please give us a call on 01325 354119 or email info@rsacc-thecentre.org.uk.
We have specialist ISVAs who work with:
- Children and Young People
- Older People
- People with Learning Disabilities/Difficulties and/or Autism
If you think our specialist support might be right for you, please let us know and we can provide more information. If you would like to know more about the people who can support you, please go to our Meet our ISVA Team page.
An ISVA can:
- Offer support for those thinking of reporting
- Provide you with impartial information to enable you to make choices
- Offer an overview of the police process and what to expect
- Support you through the criminal justice process
- Liaise with police, courts and Crown Prosecution Service, and work closely with other agencies involved.
- Advocate for you with other services like mental health services, financial, housing & employment support
- Accompany you to important appointments
- Support your next steps after the legal process
An ISVA can’t:
- Provide counselling or therapy
- Provide crisis support
- Provide legal advice
- Discuss evidential information relating to any criminal investigation
Read more information about other support services that are available locally.
ISVA Referrals
If you would like to refer yourself or somebody else for our ISVA service, please do so using the secure online forms below.
If you would like more information on the ISVA service, please email info@rsacc-thecentre.org.uk or call 01325 354119.
We try to answer calls within office hours. If we are unavailable please leave a message on the answer machine and we will get back to you.
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Read our FAQs
Take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions section to help with any queries you might have about our ISVA service.
Our ISVA Service
Our ISVA service is supported by the Durham Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office
You are not alone
We are here to help you and, no matter how hard it may seem, we will get there together.
Testimonials
The training sessions were engaging, very informative and eye opening. The information on the statistics and range of services was very useful to know as they helped understand the scale and difficulties with sexual violence etc.
I am no longer hiding from life and I have learned to say yes and no. I now do things for me!
It’s made me a happier, stronger, more confident, positive person!
I enjoyed meeting others who understand what I have been through. Their support and encouragement to talk and the group exercises to learn to cope were fabulous. I enjoyed hearing the other members coping mechanisms. The most impactful thing I’m taking away from the group is that it was NOT MY FAULT.
This group has helped me massively to understand it’s normal to feel this way, that others relate to how I’m feeling and has helped me understand how I feel about my trauma.
My time here has been so helpful to me. Having time to step back and look at some of the difficult things that have happened in my life and recognise I have strength has been so precious to me. I am so thankful for being able to access such an amazing safe haven! You have given me the opportunity to step back and breathe again. I feel like a stronger person, able to face the world and live again. I am empowered!
Just a quick note to say thank you for listening to me and helping me to rebuild my life. I feel happy and like I am ready to live again. Life is good. I never thought I would feel this good again. Talking has helped me through the darkness and to clear out the weeds in my life. Now my life looks sunnier and I have much to look forward to. I also have real flowers in my garden now. So it shows things can change.
