COUNSELLING AND SUPPORT SERVICES
Sexual violence is a serious and frightening experience. Approximately 80,000 women are attacked each year, most often at the hands of a known man. It is often accompanied by threats and extreme violence. It is more about power and control than about sex. This could include flashing, sexual assault, rape, child abuse, having to sell sex to support another person or a drug habit, war crimes, sex-trafficking, or being forced or pressured into having sex when you don't want to.
There are a number of organisations that provide a range of quality services for women, and girls who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives. Specialist services are also available for male victims of sexual assault.
Finding the right service
Crisis Support
This is an immediate response to your needs. It may be that you have recently experienced rape or sexual assault, or something has happened in your life that has triggered old memories which you find it difficult to manage. You can choose to have an immediate one off session or arrange for short term face to face support up to a maximum of 6 sessions. Should you require more than six sessions you will be offered the option of taking up counselling.
Counselling
Face to face counselling is often the most effective method of working through the effects of sexual violence. Counselling is available from voluntary sector organisations across the North East region. You will be offered a structured programme of counselling, tailored to your individual needs. You will see the same counsellor each week who will support you and help you find solutions to the issues you are facing.
Support Groups
Support groups are available to women who have previously accessed counselling. Many survivors of sexual violence find it helpful to further their healing and improve their confidence in the company of other women with similar needs and experiences. Women can experience a range of creative therapies designed to promote and sustain emotional health and well being.
What to expect if you choose counselling
During your initial assessment appointment our counsellor will help you to identify how you have been affected by your experience and what you hope to achieve from counselling. This could include managing flashbacks, working with issues such as self-harm, eating disorders, drug or alcohol misuse, or managing feelings of fear,anxiety, anger or grief. Whatever you are feeling your counsellor will provide you with a safe environment in which to explore your feelings, thoughts and behav
iours without fear of being blamed or judged in any way. She will help you to develop coping strategies to help you to manage intrusive or damaging beliefs, feelings or behaviours. Counselling is not a quick fix, it will require you to revisit difficult and painful memories and emotions and you may find that your distress increases in the short term,this may affect you and your family and friends, and we ask that you aim to have their support if possible.
ISVA SERVICES ( INDEPENDENT SEXUAL VIOLENCE ADVISORS )
When a person has experienced rape or Sexual Abuse they may come into contact with a number of agencies including the Police, the Crown Prosecution Service, or the Witness Care Unit, The ISVA will liaise on the your behalf with these agencies and make appropriate referrals to other agencies regarding housing issues, debt or benefits. Whatever the issue, the ISVA is there to ensure that your rights are met and that you are fully supported emotionally and practically.
What is an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor ?
An ISVA is someone who is there to represent you and enable you to represent yourself.
That means that you will have someone who has no agenda other than to see that your rights are met and you have all the relevant information about your individual case.
If you have reported to the Police, then the ISVA will work closely with them to make sure that your voice and your opinion about the investigation is heard.
The ISVA will give you emotional support as well as practical help; she will support you throughout the Court Process, so that you feel included and kept informed about everything.
The ISVA will:
- Arrange for pre trial visits to the Court and accompany you there.
- Keep you updated on the progress of the case
- Accompany and support you at Court.
- Work on your behalf ensuring your rights are met.
- Continue to offer support after the Court Case should you require this.
What happens at my first appointment ?
The Adviser will contact you by telephone and will arrange to see you either at your home or another suitable venue or wherever you feel safe and comfortable to talk.
The Advisor is not a counsellor, she is there to offer you practical and emotional support, you don’t have to go into the details of what has happened to you.
The advisor will explain our confidentiality policy with you and go through any questions you may have, she will take some details from you and arrange to contact anyone you may have questions for, she will gather all the information you have asked for and help you with any enquiries to agencies.
Hopefully we have answered some of your questions about our Independent Sexual Violence Advisory Service, but if there is anything you would like to ask us please feel free to telephone us and ask to speak to an Advisor.
