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
Contact Name: Debbie Watts, ISVA, based at Next Link, Bristol
Telephone: 0117 9250680
Email: debbie.watts@nextlinkhousing.co.uk
Area covered: The whole of the Avon & Somerset Constabulary Area.
Contact: The ISVA at Aylesbury Vale Rape Crisis
Telephone: 01296 392468
Email: advocacy@avrc.org.uk
Website: www.avrc.org.uk
Client Group: The ISVA covers Aylesbury Vale and works with women over 16.
Contact Name: Danielle Pont, ISVA based at Oasis Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Peterborough
Telephone: 0845 089 6262
Email: danielle.pont@peterboroughpct.nhs.uk or
Client Group: Clients of all ages including children
Contact Name: Katherine Leakey, ISVA based at Oasis Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Peterborough
Telephone: 0845 089 6262
Email: katherine.leakey@peterboroughpct.nhs.uk
Client Group: Clients of all ages including children
Contact Name: Heather Birch, ISVA based at Oasis Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Peterborough
Telephone: 0845 089 6262
Email: Heather.birch@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Client Group: clients of all ages including children
- Area: Cheshire and Merseyside
Contact Name: Alex Brass, ISVA based at Cheshire and Merseyside RASASC
Telephone: 01925 221 546/0793 999 8627
Email: alex@rapecentre.org
Area covered: Warrington and Cheshire East
Client group: Male and females over 16 years and family members
Contact Name: Christine Worral, ISVA based at Cheshire and Merseyside RASASC
Telephone: 01925 221 546
Area covered: Cheshire West and City of Chester
Client groufp: Male and females over 16 years and family members
Contact Name: Ann Marie, ISVA based at Cheshire and Merseyside RASASC
Telephone: 01925 221 546/0793 999 8627
Area covered: Greenslade: Halton (Widnes and Runcorn)
Client group: Male and females over 16 years and family members
Contact Name: Cath Cash-Harvey, ISVA based at Cheshire and Merseyside RASASC
Telephone: 01925 221 546/0793 999 8627
Area covered: Selected areas of Merseyside.
Client group: Male and females over 16 years and family members
Contact Name: Jenny Hudson, ISVA based at RASA Counselling
Areas covered: Wirral, Liverpool and Sefton
Telephone: 07501227734
Email address: rasacounselling@btconnect.com
Contact Name: Vicky Green, ISVA based at RASA Counselling
Areas covered: Wirral and Liverpool
Telephone number(s): 07501490253
Contact Name: Claire Burdett, ISVA based at RASA Counselling
Areas covered: Liverpool
Telephone: 07760 764420
Contact Name: Lorraine Wood, ISVA based at RASA Counselling
Areas covered: Sefton
Telephone: 07760 764421
Contact Name: Bev Hunkin, ISVA based at Women's Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, Bodmin
Area covered: Mid and East Cornwall
Mobile: 07766 018748 Telephone: 01208 76466
Email: bev.hunkin@wrasac.plus.com
Bev works only with women
Contact Name: Kate Davies, ISVA based at Derbyshire Rape Crisis Office
Telephone number: 01332 342255
Email: kate@drconline.org.uk
Area covered: Kate covers Derby city and surrounding areas, plus Alfreton, Belper, Ripley, Ilkeston and Long Eaton)
Contact Name: Clare Vickers, ISVA based at Derbyshire Rape Crisis' SARC
Telephone: 01773 749893
Email: clare@drconline.org.uk
Area covered: Clare covers North Derbyshire, ie, Glossop down to Chesterfield and surrounding area)
Contact Name: Eileen Bednall, ISVA for young people based at Derbyshire Rape Crisis Centre
Telephone: 01773 749893
Email: eileen@drconline.org.uk
Area covered: Eileen covers the county except the City and works with 14 - 19 year olds
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 in the Derby city area
• Area: Hampshire - Southampton
Contact Name: Tracey Stovold, Co-ordinator of the Southampton ISVA service based at Southampton Rape Crisis Centre
Telephone: 023 80 636312
Email: info@sotonrc.org.uk
Client group: Males and females from the age of 12 upwards.
Contact Name: Anne Hawkey, based at Southampton Rape Crisis Centre
Telephone: 023 80 636312
Email: info@sotonrc.org.uk
Client group: Males and females from the age of 12 upwards.
• 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: Parminder Sidhu, Young Persons' Worker and Advocacy Worker at St Mary's Hospital- The Haven
Telephone: 0203 312 1101
Email: parminder.sidhu@imperial.nhs.uk
Area covered: North-West London
Client Group: Parminder works with young people aged between 13-18
Contact Name: Deborah Lyttelton, Independent Sexual Violence Advisor based at Respond
Area covered: Inner London
Telephone number: 020 7380 8254
Email address: isva@respond.org.uk
Specialist areas of work: People with learning disabilities
• Area: London
Contact Name: Lynne Tooze, ISVA based at the Scarlet Centre, Eaves, Lambeth
Area covered: Lambeth
Telephone number: 0207 840 6707 and 07725 204681
Email address: lynne.tooze@eaveshousing.co.uk
Client Group: Supporting women who have experienced sexual violence
Contact Name: Sahara Dean DeVille, Advocacy Coordinator & ISVA and Lucy McCarthy, ISVA based at Croydon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre
Telephone number: 020 8683 3311
Mobile number: 07919 883 707
Email address: advocacy.coordinator@rasasc.org.uk
Client Group: Sahara and Lucy work with female survivors over the age of 14 years in South London
Contact Name: Jenny Hudson, Counselling Co-ordinator and ISVA based at RASA Merseyside Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre
Areas covered: Wirral, Liverpool and Sefton
Telephone: 0151 666 1392 or 0151 707 4313
Mobile number: 07501 227734
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 or 07501490253
Email address: rasaisva@btconnect.com
Contact Name: Claire Burdett, ISVA based at RASA Merseyside Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre
Areas covered: Liverpool
Telephone: 07760 764420
Email address: rasacounselling@btconnect.com
Contact Name: Lorraine Wood, ISVA based at RASA Merseyside Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre
Areas covered: Sefton
Telephone: 07760 764421
Email address: rasacounselling@btconnect.com
• Area: Merseyside (Liverpool)
Contact Name: Shelly Stoops, Independent Sexual Violence Adviser: Specialist ISVA working only with sex workers. Based at Armistead Street
Telephone: 0151 227 1893 Mobile: 077 899 03081
Email: michelle.stoops@armistead.nwest.nhs.uk
Area covered: Merseyside
• Area: Nottinghamshire
Contact Name: Miriam Nasrat, ISVA based at Nottingham Rape Crisis
Telephone: 07920 116 458
Email address: isva@nottinghamrapecrisis.org.uk
• 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: Tracy Bond, ISVA based at SAVANA in Stoke on Trent
Telephone number: 07837 936031
Area Covered: Stoke on Trent
Email address: tracy.bond@savana.org.uk
Client Group: Tracy works with all client groups.
• Area: Sussex
Contact Name: Gemma Wadsworth, ISVA based at the Saturn Centre SARC, Crawley
Telephone: 01293 600300 ext 3768
Email: gemma@worthservices.org
Contact Name: Suzanne O'Leary, ISVA based in Brighton and Hove
Telephone number: 01273 203380
Area Covered: Brighton, Hove, portslade, Shoreham
Email address: advocacy@survivorsnetwork.org.uk
Client Group: Survivors over 25
Contact Name: Emily Burnage, ISVA based in Brighton and Hove
Telephone number: 01273 203380
Area Covered: Brighton, Hove, portslade, Shoreham
Email address: advocacy@survivorsnetwork.org.uk
Client Group: Survivors aged 14-25
• Area: Teeside - Middlesbrough
Contact Name: Deborah Mills, ISVA based at Womens Support Network and Jigsaw
Telephone: 01642 822331
Email address: deborah@wsnsupport.org
Contact name: TBC, ISVA based at Rugby RoSA
• Area: West Midlands - 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
Client group: females and males from aged 13 years upwards
• Area: West Midlands - Coventry
Contact Names: Janine Webb, Dawn McNamara and Dawn Thompson, ISVAs based at Coventry RASAC
Telephone: 02476 277772
Email: isva@crasac.org.uk
Client Group: Our client group is men, women and children over the age of 11 years.
• Area: West Midlands - Sandwell and Dudley
Contact name: Michelle Haywood, ISVA based at Sandwell Womens Aid
Email: michelleh@sandwellwomensaid.co.uk
Telephone: 07852 361344
Area covered: Sandwell
Contact name: Sarah Dannat, ISVA based at Sandwell Womens Aid
Email: sarahd@sandwellwomensaid.co.uk
Telephone: 07852 361344
Area covered: Sandwell
Contact name: Ailish Gallagher, ISVA based at Sandwell Womens Aid
Email: ailish@sandwellwomensaid.co.uk
Telephone: 07852 361344
Area covered: Dudley
• Area: West Midlands - Walsall
Contact Name: Carol Foster, ISVA based at Crisis Point, Walsall
Email: crisis_point@btconnect.com
Telephone: 01922 644280
Area covered: Walsall and Wolverhampton
• Area: Wiltshire
Contact Name: Jan Ryan, New Swindon Sanctuary SARC, Swindon, Wiltshire.
Telephone: 01793 507956
Email: Jan.Ryan@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk
Area covered: The whole of Wiltshire which includes Swindon
Client group: All client groups and children from 13 years upwards.
Contact Name: Dee Griffiths, ISVA based at WRSASC
Telephone: 01905 611655 or 07787 757 495
Email: isva.wrsasc@btconnect.com
Area covered: Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Telford
Client group: Women over the age of 16 who have experienced recent or historical rape or any type of sexual violence.
Contact Name: Kirsty Richards, ISVA based at WRSASC
Telephone: 01905 611655 or 07832 940 146
Email: isva.wrsasc@btconnect.com
Area covered: Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Telford
Client group: Women over the age of 16 who have experienced recent or historical rape or any type of sexual violence.
Contact Name: Kate Bromley, ISVA based at WRSASC
Telephone: 01905 611655 or 07735 111 676
Email: isva.wrsasc@btconnect.com
Area covered: Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Telford
Client group: Women over the age of 16 who have experienced recent or historical rape or any type of sexual violence.
• Area: Yorkshire (West) - Bradford
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: 01274 723896 Mobile: 07917148450
Email: info@brcg.org.uk
• Area: Yorkshire (West) - Kirklees
Contact Name: Deborah Parr, Tracey Levi and Charlotte Lawrence, ISVAs based at Kirklees Survivors Counselling Project
Telephone: 01484 540730
Email: anything@krasacc.co.uk
• Area: Yorkshire (South) - 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: Yorkshire (South) - Doncaster
Contact Name: Sarah Becket, ISVA based at Doncaster Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre
Telephone: 07733 092703 or 01302 341572
Email: sbeckett@drasacs.org.uk
Client group: Male and female clients of any age
Contact Name: Lynne Elliott, ISVA based at Doncaster Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre
Telephone: 07795 248136 or 01302 341572
Email: lelliott@drasacs.org.uk
Client group: Male and female clients of any age
• Area: Yorkshire (South) - Rotherham
Contact Name: Tanya Wills, ISVA based at the ISIS, Rotherham General Hospital, Rotherham
Telephone: 01709 307326
Email: tanya.wills@rothgen.nhs.uk
Area covered: Sheffield and Rotherham
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
Area covered: Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot area
Client Group: Male and female clients of all ages
• Area: Gwent and South Wales
Contact Name: Tracey Cooper, ISVA at New Pathways (Merthyr and Risca)
Telephone: 01685 379310
Email: tracey@newpathways.org.uk
Contact Name: Graham Cahalane, ISVA at Risca SARC
Telephone: 01495 233971/2
Email: riscasarc@newpathways.org.uk
Contact Name: Sharon Morris, Independent Sexual Violence Advisor at the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre North Wales
Telephone: 01286 669267 (Office) 01286 669266 (Hepline)
Email: sharon@rasawales.org.uk
Area covered: Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham Borough
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