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Culturally Responsive ISVA Service

Sexual violence affects individuals from all ethnic groups but we know that minoritised communities are likely to face additional barriers when accessing support services. Taking these additional barriers and inequalities into consideration, we have developed a culturally responsive specialist ISVA service that is tailored to the cultural needs of the individual.

It is important for all people to have information about the rights and entitlements available to them, and to have access to support to help and empower them along their journey to cope and recover following trauma. Our CRISVA service is here to provide accessible, specialist, practical and emotional support.

Our advocates can provide criminal justice, and non-criminal justice support to help with the ripple effect of sexual abuse. We inform people of their options and ensure that their voices are heard. We are able to attend meetings with clients if they so wish.

The development of the CRISVA service is being led and informed by colleagues and survivors who themselves identify with a marginalised ethnic community. Their lived experience of some of the barriers they have faced has helped to bring greater insight to the support offered.

The CRISVA service is a service that is being developed ‘by and for’.

Values from which the ISVA works

  • To believe.
  • To be non-judgemental.
  • To recognise survival strategies.
  • To enable survivors of sexual violence to retain control.
  • To recognise it is an individual’s decision whether they report to the police.
  • To empower and enable survivors of sexual violence.
  • To validate feelings whatever they are.
  • To dispel the myths around rape and sexual abuse.
  • To treat all survivors of sexual violence as individuals.

How to refer into our services

We recognise how hard it is for you to get in touch and we will do all we can to support you. Once contact with us has been made, one of our team will call to explain the service further and answer any questions. They will then allocate an ISVA, who will get in touch to arrange an initial assessment. Anything discussed will be in the strictest confidence and no information will be shared with other agencies without your consent unless it involves matters of child protection, or someone at risk of serious harm.

For further information about our Culturally Responsive advocacy service, please email referrals@wmrsasc.org.uk

The CRISVA service accepts both self-referrals and referrals from other agencies or representatives by completing the forms below:

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Self-Referral Form
Third-Party Referral Form