IDAS offer support to anyone who has experienced sexual violence, regardless of the situation.
An ISVA can directly support a child who is 13 or older and will support parents and carers of children under 13 years.
The ISVA recognises the additional difficulties that you may be experiencing. Often when it is a child the abuser is someone they love or like, when it is familial that brings with it its own difficulties. The removal of a parent or a sibling from the child is incredibly difficult, they make have hated the behaviours but often love the person. There is often a sense of loss and grieving as well as a sense of blame that they have caused a rift in the family for telling.
We are an independent service that can provide emotional and practical support in the aftermath of sexual violence. Your information is held confidentially, apart from safeguarding concerns that will have to be shared.
What can we do for you:
- We will signpost or refer you to support services you may want such as drug and alcohol services, counselling etc
- We can accompany you to appointments
- We can help you through the police process
- We can help you with social care and safeguarding
- If the case goes to court we can arrange a pre-trial visit, we will support you through the trial and then support after the trial, regardless of the outcome
- Advocate with you and on your behalf with other agencies such as GP, Social Services, police, CPS
- We can liaise with schools and CAFCASS
- We can do some work regarding self-esteem, confidence building, safety planning etc.
The ISVA and yourself will complete a support plan where you can tell us what support you need and we can work together to look at what can be done to get that support in place. We will use that plan to ensure your needs are met whilst we work together. You will always be able to see what information we hold.
Additional Support
Sharing Stories Sharing Strengths
A booklet, podcast and you tube video with child friendly information re different elements of the criminal justice process, forensic medical examinations.
https://www.podbean.com/site/EpisodeDownload/PBBE04F5267Y8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFTVlk9N2j4
Going to Court
A booklet for 5 – 11 year olds
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/708114/ywp-5-11-eng.pdf
Your Child is a Witness
A booklet for parents whose child will be a witness at court
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/708133/ywp-adult-eng.pdf
Lots of really helpful information on the NSPCC website for parents
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/underwear-rule/pants-how-to-answer-questions/
