The South Yorkshire Independent Sexual Violence Advocacy (ISVA) Service is funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to offer independent confidential practical help and emotional support to adults and children who have experienced sexual harm at any time in their lives.
For those that are considering reporting, we know that the idea of talking to the Police about what happened to you or giving evidence in court can be frightening and overwhelming, but we also know that survivors of sexual violence want and deserve justice.
You can report incidents of sexual harm to the police whether they happened recently or a long time ago. We recommend that if you are considering reporting your experiences that you contact us as we understand that this can be a very difficult decision, particularly if you’re not familiar with the criminal justice process.
Our Independent Sexual Violence Advocates (ISVA) receive specialist training enabling them to provide independent advice and advocacy around all aspects of the criminal justice process, including what you can expect should you decide to report your experiences to the police and what happens next.
Our specialist team are here to answer your questions, provide emotional and practical support and to advocate on your behalf, ensuring that your voice is heard.
The ISVA can:
The first step to access ISVA Support is to complete our secure referral form which asks for personal information about you and how best to contact you. It would help us to help you, if you list as many ways as possible that we can contact you.
Once we receive a referral the ISVA team in your area will make contact within 5 working days. if you have any difficulties completing the form, please call 01226 320140.
The specialist ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advocate) service is for children, aged from 0 up to 17.
If you’re the parent or carer of a child who you think might benefit from this service, you can call us on 01226 320140 to talk about referring them or use the referral form below.
The ISVA/CHISVA support service is funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. It is delivered as part of the South Yorkshire Sexual Violence Partnership (SYSVP), made up of Barnsley Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Services, Doncaster Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service, Rotherham Abuse Counselling Service and Sheffield Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre. Some information sharing between the members of SYSVP is essential for effective service delivery.
SYSVP is required to collect and process personal and sensitive information about service users under legal and contractual obligations. All data will be securely stored, archived and destroyed following general data protection guidelines and used for monitoring, income generation, and quality assurance which will include statistical analysis and reporting.
We will not share personal or identifiable information about service users unless there are legitimate reasons for doing so. These could include concerns over safeguarding or a legal obligation (for example a court subpoena) where we are ordered by a court to release information.
As a service user, you can request to see what information we hold about you, our local data policies and request to have the information removed.
SYSVP is registered with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO).
We accept referrals for the CHISVA and ISVA service from any professional.
Referrals are welcome for any individual who has experience sexual harm or rape at any time in their lives.
We support individuals regardless if they are reporting to the police or not.
Please note this service delivers practical and emotional support not counselling or therapy.
We just ask that you have discussed the referral and have consent to make the referral.
Please complete our secure referral form. Once we receive a referral the relevant CHISVA/ISVA will contact the client within 5 working days. If you wish to discuss making a referral, please call 01226 320140.
If we are unable to make contact with the person for any reason we will contact you to inform you.
The South Yorkshire Sexual Violence Partnership (SYSVP) is made up of Barnsley Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Services, Doncaster Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service, Rotherham Abuse Counselling Service and Sheffield Rape and Sexual Abuse Service.
The SYSVP delivers the CHISVA and ISVA service.
You can find information about each partner on their websites:
Barnsley Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Services BSARCS
Doncaster Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service DRASACS
Rotherham Abuse Counselling Service
Sheffield Rape and Sexual Abuse Service
If you are in immediate danger, dial 999
If you need immediate support after rape or sexual assault, you might be experiencing lots of different feelings. Many people feel scared, numb, shocked, confused, or angry. There is no right or wrong way to feel or be.
Hackenthorpe Lodge is the local Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) for all of South Yorkshire. It offers free confidential healthcare and compassionate support for anyone aged 16 or above and you can self-refer.
Phone 0330 223 0938 or email hackenthorpelodge.sarc@nhs.net
At the SARC, individuals will be offered support and guidance, a medical assessment/ treatment, a forensic examination, and the opportunity of aftercare referrals for support services. Clients will be offered these services based on their individual needs, and can choose to use as much or as little of the service as they wish.
The Children’s SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) is part of the Safeguarding Support Unit at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. It provides a child and adolescent friendly environment for 0-18 year olds from across South Yorkshire who have been victims of sexual assault or rape.
It accepts referrals from the police and social care. If you have concerns about a child or young person who you think may have been sexually assaulted, please contact the police or report the issue to social services.
The 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line free phone and online chat service for people aged 16+. You can contact the 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line and speak to a specialist at any time of the day or night.
Call free on 0808 500 2222 or go to the website to start a free online chat
The Survivors Trust offers a free and confidential helpline to any survivor anywhere in the UK and Ireland. Whether you want to discuss what happened to you or just call for a chat, their helpline volunteers will be there to listen.
Free, confidential helpline 08088 010 818 or text 07860 022 956
Call 116 123
Childline is a free, confidential service for children and young people up to the age of 19. You can call them on 0800 1111 or visit their website.
The Galop helpline is for LGBT+ people experiencing abuse or violence, such as hate crime, domestic abuse, sexual violence, so-called “conversion therapy” or any other kind of abuse.
The Galop Helpline offers emotional support, guidance and help to explore what options may be available to anyone aged 18+ who is experiencing or has experienced violence and abuse.
To contact the free helpline: phone 0800 999 5428 or email help @galop.org.uk.
Get help from 111 online or dial 111 and choose the mental health option.
111 will tell you the right place to get help. You may be able to speak to a trained mental health professional over the phone.
A GP can advise you about helpful treatments and also help you access mental health services. You may be able to refer yourself to some services.
We Stand takes a unique whole family approach to supporting victims of child sexual abuse and their non-abusing parents, carers, and siblings.