ISVA Service

Our Independent Sexual Violence Adviser Service can offer practical and emotional support and help you decide whether to report

ISVA Service

Our ISVA service offers practical support to anybody aged 18 and over who has experienced sexual violence. They can assist you in understanding your rights and the services you can access.

Our high quality, accredited and award winning ISVA service is completely independent from the Police. All of our ISVAs have received accredited ISVA training and complete on-going training and development to improve their skills and abilities.

If you choose to report to the police, the ISVA can accompany and support you through this and any subsequent Court proceedings. They can also help with practical matters, such as housing, benefits, health services etc.

Practical Support

Emotional and practical support to help you deal with the effects of rape, sexual assault or childhood abuse

Provide you with information about safety options and services that are available to you

Communicate and work with other agencies and assist you with negotiating things like a phased return to work or ongoing sick leave

Referral into other services, as required

Support in the Criminal Justice System

An explanation of police procedures and the Criminal Justice System

Liaising with the Police, Courts, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and other public agencies

Keeping you informed of developments in your case

Arranging pre-trial visits and other special arrangements to make giving evidence easier

Supporting you before and during any court case

How to Refer into the ISVA Service

You can make a self referral to the ISVA service or an organisation or someone supporting you, such as a friend, family member, the NHS or the Police can make a referral on your behalf.

If you would like to refer yourself, please complete this form.

SELF REFERRAL FORM

If someone is completing a referral on your behalf they should use this form.

PROFESSIONAL REFERRAL FORM

Alternatively, you can phone 0115 947 0064 and select option 2 Mon-Fri 09:00 to 17:00
(answerphone available outside these hours, please leave a message with a contact number and we will call you back as soon as possible)

What Happens Next

Our ISVA will contact you by phone, text or email, however you prefer. We aim to do this within 1 working day of receiving your referral. If the ISVA service seems the right service for you, we will offer an initial meeting with you at a convenient time, date and place where we will work through our assessment with you.

Assessment Meeting

When you first meet with the ISVA, you can talk to them about your needs and what kind of support you would find helpful. We will also cover things like how to keep in touch with the ISVA, confidentiality and assessing risk.

Beginning Support

At your assessment meeting we will arrange a date for a support meeting with you to provide the support required to meet your needs and review your support plan in person or over the phone.