Information For Survivors
This page offers information for survivors of rape, sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse.
A list of Independent Sexual Violence Advisors working in England and Wales can be found by clicking here
Further information on resources and reading materials available for survivors of rape or sexual abuse can be found or our Resources page by clicking here.
The impact of childhood sexual abuse, sexual violence and rape
The long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse, sexual violence and rape can include many emotional, psychological and physical conditions. The experience of sexual assault or abuse at any age and whether male or female can have devastating effects on every aspect of a person's being and life - on their mind, their body, their behaviour, thoughts and feelings.
The following list includes some of the effects now being recognised and acknowledged as the consequences of childhood sexual abuse, sexual violence or rape on many victims and survivors. The Survivors Trust wants to stress that it is not inevitable that all victims will suffer from all effects - the mix, severity and complexity is a unique experience for each individual.
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Post traumatic stress symptoms
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Depression
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Anxiety
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Dissociation
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Flashbacks
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Nightmares
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Irritability and outbursts of anger
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Suicidal thoughts
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Suicide
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Alcohol misuse and dependence
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Drug misuse and dependence
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Sexual problems
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Confusion about sexuality
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Eating disorders
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Self-injury and self-harming behaviour
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Transient psychotic episodes
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Borderline Personality Disorder
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Dissociative Identity Disorder
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Somatisation - emotional distress experienced as physical pain
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Increased rates of physical conditions like heart disease and cancer
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Homelessness
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Revictimisation
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Prostitution
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Criminal behaviour (including for a small minority sexual offences)
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Low self-esteem
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Lack of confidence
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Sleep problems
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Parenting problems
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Relationship problems
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If you are a victim or survivor of sexual violence, rape or childhood sexual abuse, the thought that you may be affected in any of the above ways may be frightening and daunting. Member groups of The Survivors Trust have the professional expertise and empathic understanding necessary to help survivors meet the challenges and difficulties they are experiencing as a result of abuse or rape.
Remember you have a right to be safe and to choose what happens to you. The Survivors Trust is determined to ensure that all survivors have access to appropriate counselling, support and advice so that they can reclaim their lives and obtain the justice they deserve.
Please see About our member groups for details of support groups and services near you.
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Independent Sexual Violence Advisers
Many of our member agencies offer an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) service. The Independent Sexual Violence Adviser role was commissioned by Baroness Scotland through the Home Office Violent Crime Unit in 2005.
What does an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser do?
* ISVA's are trained to look after your needs, their job is to make sure you gain the best care and understanding as possible.
* An ISVA will help you understand how the criminal justice process works, things like reporting to the police and court appearances, and the importance of forensic DNA retrieval. An ISVA is there to provide information only, and you are not expected to report any offence to the police.
* An ISVA will provide a safe warm, environment in which you can express your feelings.
* An ISVA will be non-judgemental and empathic, and offer a free and confidential service.
* An ISVA can help you, your family or partner.
* An ISVA can give support and advice when you need it most.
Please scroll down for contact details of Independent Sexual Violence Advisers currently working in the UK.
ISVAs and Advocacy Workers in England
• Area: Barnsley
Contact Name: Ruth O'Leary, ISVA at BSARCH (Barnsley Sexual Abuse & Rape Crisis Helpline)
Email address: rutholearyisva@bsarch.org.
Telephone: 01226 208 666
- Area: Birmingham and Solihull
Contact Names: Yvonne Langham and April Salthouse, based at RSVP, Birmingham
Telephone: 0121 200 1695
Email: info@rape-sexualviolenceproj.fsnet.co.uk
Yvonne and April work with females and males from aged 13 years upwards
Contact Name: Sandy, ISVA based at Bradford Rape Crisis
Telephone: 01274 308270
Email: info@brcg.org.uk
Contact Name: Jo Sharp, ISVA based at Bradford Rape Crisis & Sexual Abuse Survivors Service
Telephone Number: 01274 723896 Mobile: 07917148450
Email: info@brcg.org.uk
Contact Name: Debbie Watts, ISVA, based at Bristol SARC
Telephone: 0117 9250680
Email: debbie.watts@nextlinkhousing.co.uk
Contact: The ISVA at Aylesbury Vale Rape Crisis
Website: www.avrc.org.uk Telephone: 01296 392468
Email: advocacy@avrc.org.uk
Contact Names: Sam Piggott, Dawn McNamara and Dawn Thompson, ISVAs based at Coventry RASAC
Telephone: 02476 277772
Email: isva@crasac.org.uk
Contact Names: Danielle Pont and Katherine Leakey, ISVAs
Telephone: 01733 466623
Email: danielle.pont@peterboroughpct.nhs.uk or katherine.leakey@peterboroughpct.nhs.uk
Danielle and Katherine work with clients of all ages including children.
- Area: Cheshire and Merseyside
Contact Name: Alex Brass, ISVA based at Cheshire and Merseyside RASASC
Telephone: 01925 221546
Email: alex@rapecentre.org
Contact Name: Bev Hunkin, ISVA based at Women's Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, Bodmin
Telephone: 01208 76466
Email: bev.hunkin@wrasac.plus.com
Contact Name: Kate Davies, ISVA based at Derbyshire Rape Crisis Centre
Telephone number: 01773 749893 Email: kate@drconline.org.uk
Contact Name: Clare Vickers, ISVA based at Derbyshire Rape Crisis Centre Telephone: 01773 573843
Email: clare@drconline.org.uk
Contact Name: Sharon Jackson, Independent Sexual Violence Adviser based at Safe and Sound, Derby
Telephone: 01332 362120 Mobile: 07726695972
Email: sharon.jackson@safeandsoundderby.co.uk
Sharon works with children and young people
Contact Name: Sarah Becket, ISVA based at Doncaster Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre
Telephone: 07733 092703
Email: Sarah.beckett@drasacs.org
Sarah works with men and women aged 14 and above
* Area: Dorset
Contact Name: Gillian Banks, based at The Relate Centre, Bournemouth
Telephone: 07779 486383
Email: isva.bdp@btconnect.com
• Area: Kent (North West) and Medway
Contact Names: Rebecca Macey (ISVA Tuesday- Friday) & Dolores Fernandez (ISVA Mondays) based at Family Matters
Telephone: Rebecca: 07760792729 & Dolores: 07760792725
Email: isva@familymattersuk.org
Specialists working with sexual abuse, and Rebecca is experienced working with children
Contact Name: Julie Hewitt, Voluntary Advocacy Worker based at first step
Telephone: 07870 540 591
Email: firststepleicester@yahoo.co.uk
• Area: Lincolnshire (North East)
Contact Name: Kirsty Hodges, ISVA based at Grimsby and Scunthorpe Rape Crisis Limited
Email: itsmyright.isva@btconnect.com
• Area: Lincolnshire (North West)
Contact Name: Julia Wilson, ISVA based at Grimsby and Scunthorpe Rape Crisis Limited
Email: itsmyrightisva1@btconnect.com
Contact Name: Shelly Stoops, Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) for Street Workers based at Armistead Street
Telephone: 0151 227 1893 Mobile: 077 899 03081
Email: michelle.stoops@armistead.nwest.nhs.uk
Contact Name: Samantha, Young Persons' Worker and Advocacy Worker Haven Whitechapel
Telephone: Tel. 0207 247 4787
Email: samantha.keeling@bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk
Contact Name: Deborah Lyttelton, Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (Temporary) based at Respond
Areas covered: Inner London
Telephone number(s) 020 7383 0700
Email address: deborah.lyttelton@respond.org.uk
Any specialist areas of work: People with learning disabilities
Contact Name: Sahara Dean DeVille, Advocacy Coordinator & ISVA based at Croydon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre
Telephone number: 020 8683 3311
Email address: advocacy@rasasc.org.uk
Contact Name: Jenny Hudson, Counselling Co-ordinator and ISVA based at RASA Merseyside Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre
Areas covered: Wirral and Liverpool
Telephone: 0151 666 1392 or 0151 707 4313
Email address: rasacounselling@btconnect.com
Contact Name: Vicky Green, ISVA based at RASA Merseyside Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre
Areas covered: Wirral and Liverpool
Telephone number(s): 0151 6500155/ 07501490253
Email address: rasaisva@btconnect.com
Contact Name: Deborah Mills, ISVA based at Womens Support Network and Jigsaw
Telephone: 01642 822331
Email address: deborah@wsnsupport.org
• Area: Nottingham
Contact Name: Miriam Nasrat, ISVA based at Nottingham Rape Crisis
Telephone: 07920 116 458
Email address: isva@nottinghamrapecrisis.org.uk
Contact Name: Tracey Stovold, Co-ordinator of the Southampton ISVA service based at Southampton Rape Crisis Centre
Telephone: 023 80 636312 Email: srctracey@yahoo.co.uk
This ISVA service works with males and females from the age of 12 upwards.
• Area: Staffordshire (North)
Contact Name: Kay Glover, ISVA and Services Manager based at SAVANA, Stoke on Trent
Telephone: 01782 221000/07952 324702
Email: kay.glover@savana.org.uk
Contact Name: Jan Ryan, New Swindon Sanctuary SARC , Swindon, Wiltshire.
Telephone: 01793 507811
Email: Jan.Ryan@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk
Contact Name: Carol Foster, ISVA based at Crisis Point
Email: crisis_point@btconnect.com
Telephone number: 01922 644280
Contact Names: Arlete McLaren, RoSA Co-ordinator/ISVA and Bridget Convery, ISVA
Email: rosa.support@btconnect.com
Telephone number: 01788 551150
• Area: West Yorkshire
Contact Name: Deborah Parr and Tracey Levy, ISVAs based at Kirklees Survivors Counselling Project
Telephone: Office: 01484 540730
Email: anything@krasacc.co.uk
Contact Name: Dee Griffiths, ISVA based at WRSASC
Telephone: Office: 01905 611655
Email: isva.wrsasc@btconnect.com
ISVAs and Advocacy Workers in Wales
- Area: Swansea and South Wales
Contact Names: Sarah-Jane Walkley and Lyndsey May, ISVAs
Telephone: 01792 206885
Email: swanseasarc@btconnect.com
Sarah-Jane and Lyndsey work with clients of all ages.
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