An ISVA can support anyone who has been the victim of sexual violence – no matter when the incident took place. The incident must have been reported to the police or you need support with reporting it. In this article, we look at what an ISVA is and what they can do you support you.
What is an ISVA?
An ISVA is an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor. They offer emotional support through the Criminal Justice Process and advocate between the police and you to ensure that you are kept up to date with how a criminal investigation is progressing.
What do ISVAs do?
ISVA’s can support anyone who has been subjected to sexual violence to report it to the police, if they haven’t already done so.
ISVA’s offer emotional support through the criminal justice process. A criminal case could take up to two years or longer. As part of their support, ISVA’s may work with relevant partner agencies. For example, Witness Care, Solicitors and Witness Services. They may refer you to specialist counselling services within the Survive and Thrive partnership, made up of Family Action, Women Centre and Staying Put charities.
Unlike IDVAs, ISVA’s are not party to all the evidence in a case. This is to ensure that ISVA’s do not enter the evidential chain or get accused of ‘coaching’ a client. Therefore, the sexual violence you experienced is never discussed in depth.
What does your work entail?
ISVA’s offer practical support such as attending the police station at the point that you provide your video interview and attend court hearings (mainly at the Crown Court). ISVA’s arrange pre-trial visits to the courts to discuss things like how you would like to give evidence.
ISVA’s attend Ground Rules Hearings to understand what adaptations are needed to ensure you can attend court and give evidence. They also attend and Section 28 Hearings which are pre-recorded cross examinations at the Crown Court.
ISVA’s also attend trials with you to ensure that you are fully supported. They assist with any Victims Right to Review appeals if the police or the Crown Prosecution Service decide to take no further action with the case. They also assist with applications for Criminal Injuries Compensation.
Describe your average day?
An average day for an ISVA would be ensuring that the police are aware that they’re an ISVA on a certain case.
If any new cases come through, ISVA’s check where the police investigation is up to, what the bail conditions are, who the officer on the case is and the crime number.
They would then call you, where they will introduce themselves and arrange a face-to-face visit to go through initial paperwork, look at support needs and create your support plan. They will also explain their role in more detail and the support they can offer. They will go through and manage any risks with you.
An ISVA can attend court if the case is listed for a hearing or arrange a pretrial visit through the Citizens Advice Bureau portal for Witness Service. ISVA’s also arrange meetings with the Crown Prosecution Service and police for you to discuss Victim’s Right to Review.
We are a client led service, so will discuss with you how often you would like to be contacted between police/CPS updates, this is normally around every 5/6 weeks.
Further information
If you need support or further information, please call 0808 2800999.
Our helpline is open from Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 4.30pm. We close for half an hour at 1pm every day for lunch.