Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs) provide emotional and practical support and information to victims and survivors of both recent and non-recent sexual violence who have reported to the police, or are considering reporting to the police. Our ISVAs support victims and survivors of all ages and all genders.
Our ISVAs are completely independent of the police. They are not there to tell you what you should do, but will go through your options and give you accurate, impartial information to allow you to decide what is the right course of action for you at every step of the process. You do not need to tell the ISVA the details of your experience in order to have these conversations and they are confidential, unless there are concerns about your or someone else's safety.
If you have reported to the police, our team of qualified ISVAs can support you through every stage of the criminal justice process, working closely with the police and other agencies.
The role of our ISVAs is to:
- Ensure your voice is heard.
- Help you make the choices that feel right for you.
- Accompany you to important appointments and to court.
- Support you with your next steps after the legal process is over, regardless of the outcome of the case.
If you are considering reporting to the police, our ISVAs can also help you, by:
- Providing you with impartial information to enable you to make an informed decision.
- Offering an overview of police processes and what to expect if you do decide to report.
- Supporting you in your next steps.
CARA provides an ISVA service to adults, young people and children who have been victims of sexual violence from across mid and North Essex. We also provide a service to victims and survivors who have a police case open in Essex, but live somewhere else.
Most of our ISVA clients are referred to CARA through the Police or the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), using our online referral form, but you can also refer yourself to our ISVA service using our online self-referral form, or by calling our enquiry line on 01206 769795.
#BreakTheSilence Film Campaign
Rape Crisis South London has produced #BreakTheSilence, a series of films for young survivors aimed at explaining the police, the court system and the ISVA support available from Rape Crisis.
ISVA SUPPORT
If you have reported or are considering reporting to the police and would like ISVA support, you can refer yourself to our ISVA service using our online self-referral form, or you can telephone us on
01206 769795
We try to answer calls within office hours. Out of office hours, or if we are unable to answer the phone, calls will go to answerphone.
PROFESSIONALS
GPs, social workers, mental health workers or other professionals can refer clients for counselling
through our online referral form.
