The £209,004 grant has been awarded to the West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre – a Forum partner – as part of the newly launched West Mercia Commissioner’s Grant Scheme.
The funding will enable the centre to extend the ISVA – or Independent Sexual Violence Advisor – service to support children from aged 11 upwards as well as male survivors of sexual violence.
Currently there are 5 ISVAs working across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, supporting women, aged 16 and over, who have been raped or sexually abused at any time during their life. The current ISVA service offers women the opportunity to talk in a safe and confidential environment. As the ISVA works independently they are able to offer non-judgmental support and provide information to enable the client to make informed choices. The ISVA completes an initial risk/safety assessment with their client and from this a support plan is agreed. The current system works towards empowering women and breaking down the isolation and loss of control associated with sexual violence crimes; the ISVA is also able to signpost and refer to other appropriate agencies and advocate on their client’s behalf.
Martin Lakeman, Startegic Co-ordinator for The Worcester Forum Against Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence said : “Previously the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor service has been a woman only service. Extending this to include services for men and children is vital and we wholeheartedly support it.”
West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre is currently negotiating with the University of Worcester to complete an evaluation of the service over the next 12 months. It is hoped the results will provide a strong evidence base to encourage local statutory agencies to extend the services beyond the 12 month period and also demonstrate the need to extend the current counselling service.
The majority of current referrals are received from West Mercia Police involving women who have already reported a crime. Crucially, the ISVA system also offers the same service to women whether or not they have reported the issue to the police. Subsequently, a number of these women who had not reported reconsidered this and made formal complaints as a result of the support they received from the ISVA.
In 2011/2012, the ISVA service received 194 referrals. Statistics from the previous financial year show that referrals have increased by 10 per cent.
Referral sources for 2011/2012 are as follows :
- West Mercia Police – 72 per cent;
- West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre – 7 per cent;
- Self referral – 5 per cent;
- Other agencies – 4 per cent;
- Victim Support – 3 per cent;
- Women’s Aid – 2 per cent;
- Community Mental Health – 2 per cent;
- Health visitor – 1 per cent;
- Social services – 1 per cent;
- West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre Helpline – 1 per cent;
- Witness care – 1 per cent;
- Other police – 1 per cent.
West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre can be contacted on 01905 611 655.
For further information about The Worcestershire Forum Against Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence please contact Martin Lakeman on 01905 822 357.
To call in confidence about domestic abuse call 0800 980 3331.
