ISVAs work with sexual assault survivors to help rebuild their lives

“What happened to you isn’t your fault. We believe you and are here to listen to you, support you, and work with you to rebuild your life.”

Rebekah Lax is one of nine Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVA) working for the Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service (RSACC) – a charity commissioned by the Office of Durham’s Police and Crime Commissioner to provide specialist services to support victims and survivors aged 13 or over who have experienced sexual violence.

Together, Rebekah and her colleagues provide non-judgemental support to victims and survivors, helping them to understand their rights and options if they choose to go ahead with a police investigation, offering practical and emotional support in the lead up to a trial, and supporting them at court hearings.

“When we start working with people, the intention is to empower them to regain control over their lives,” says Rebekah, who became an ISVA in 2021 after volunteering at the RSACC for eight years.

“We are experts in sexual violence but also offer holistic support. If survivors are struggling with other areas of their life, such as housing, mental health, or employment, we can advocate for them and ensure they get the support they need.”

Many of the people Rebekah and her colleagues work with have been referred to the charity by the police after they reported an offence, but people can also self-refer if they do not want police involvement, or perhaps aren’t ready to report what happened to them just yet.

“Some people choose to never report what happened to them; some people report decades later - the most important thing is that there are people here to listen if they choose to disclose,” says Rebekah.

“If you’ve experienced sexual violence, what happened to you isn’t your fault. It can feel like a really heavy burden, but it is not yours to carry.

“Your abuse doesn’t have to define you – we believe you and we will treat you with the empathy you deserve.”

Opting for ISVA support is entirely optional, and people can ask for tailored support at any point they feel they might need it. Some might want regular face-to-face appointments, practical help with writing a police statement, and support at court if a case goes to trial, others may just want a chat over the phone every now and then.

“Disclosure is a journey and every victim and survivor is different,” says Rebekah.

“We don’t tell people what to do, but we do show people their options so they are able to make informed decisions about what is best for them. Our support is tailored to what the survivor wants, with the aim of empowering them to regain the control of their life.”

Rebekah wants anyone who has experienced rape or sexual abuse to know there is someone there for them to talk to if they feel it could help.

“Your experience doesn’t define you and you can regain control of your life,” she says. “The most rewarding part of our job is watching people achieve things they didn’t think they’d ever be able to achieve before.

“Feeling heard and being believed makes such a difference to people’s lives. No matter where it happened, when it happened or who did it, that’s what we are here to do.”

If you’ve been raped or sexually assaulted, tell us.

We believe you.

Call Durham Constabulary on 101 or 999 in an emergency, or report online at www.durham.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/

The Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service (RSACC) offers a wide range of support services, including counselling, email support, peer support groups, and structured courses to learn more about trauma and our responses to it. Visit www.rsacc-thecentre.org.uk or call 0300 222 5730.