Emotional Support
Experiencing crime can have an impact on your physical, emotional and mental well-being.
No situation is the same and we all cope with stress and trauma in different ways. The help we provide at Northumbria Victim & Witness Service is tailored to you and your personal circumstances.
The emotional support offered by our trained and experienced staff can help you to understand what has happened. They can provide advice, reassurance, information and resources to assist you with your recovery.
NVWS workers can also help you to access support with specialist service providers such as mental health organisations, domestic abuse or sexual violence services, counselling and more.
Safety and Security
It’s common to worry about your safety after experiencing a crime.
Your Northumbria Victim & Witness Service Support Officer can advise on keeping you, your home and your family safe.
Whether it’s about online safety, practical measures, such as personal alarms, to help you feel more secure when you’re out and about. If you’re struggling to cope with your feelings around safety, we can help you to move forward.
Recovering From Sexual Violence
Independent Sexual Violence Advisors offer non-judgemental, practical and emotional support to victims of sexual offences, whether the incident is recent or historic.
ISVAs can also provide impartial information for those thinking of reporting a sexual offence. They help survivors access other available support services to address both short and long term needs.
They can support survivors through the criminal justice system, providing non-biased information on what happens when such a crime is reported to police and what happens if you need to attend court.
How The Independent Sexual Violence Advisor Service Works
Men, women, LGBTQ+ and non-binary people of any age, including children, can access the confidential Independent Sexual Violence Advisor service.
An ISVA can support you over the phone, by text, email or face to face and your ISVA will provide you with their direct contact details. Your ISVA may have their own specific working hours but this will be explained to you in your first contact. Usually however they are available Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm.
Your ISVA will aim to be in contact with you every 4-6 weeks, but the frequency of contact will take into consideration your personal circumstances. Please note that your ISVA cannot offer a crisis service and is unable to contact you daily or weekly.
Case Studies
