An Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) is a professional who supports people who have experienced rape or sexual violence. ISVAs provide independent information, advice and practical support. They can help you understand your choices and rights and support you when dealing with the Police, criminal justice system and other services.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What support is available to me?

Everyone responds differently to experiences of abuse, violence or trauma, and you may need different types of support at different times. Support may include emotional and practical support, help to understand your options, support around the criminal justice process, and access to specialist services.

Q: What is the National ISVA Coordination (NISVAC) service?

The National ISVA Coordination (NISVAC) service provides a national point of contact for victims and the service will provide information, explore your needs and help connect you with appropriate local ISVA and specialist services. The service is independent of the Police. As you go through the portal, you can complete a short form to ask the National ISVA Coordination (NISVAC) service for support.

Q: How and when do I contact the National ISVA Coordination (NISVAC) service?

As you go through the portal, you can complete a short form asking for support, and the National ISVA Coordination (NISVAC) service will contact you in line with your preferred contact method and times. The service operates Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and is not an immediate or crisis support service. If you need urgent support, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option, or go to your nearest A&E. If you are in immediate danger, call 999. You can also find national helplines and local services on our Support page.

Q: Is the National ISVA Coordination (NISVAC) service a specialist support service?

The National ISVA Coordination (NISVAC) service is a national coordination service that provides information and support to victims of group-based CSE. The service is staffed by trained and qualified ISVAs with experience of supporting survivors in a trauma-informed way. The NISVAC service can explore your individual support needs and, where appropriate, help coordinate access to specialist Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) services in your local area.

Q: How do I access ISVA support?

You can be supported to access an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) through the National ISVA Coordination (NISVAC) service or contact local specialist sexual violence services directly. The National ISVA Coordination (NISVAC) service can explore your support needs and help identify and coordinate access to an appropriate local ISVA service.

Q: What other support is available to me?

There are a range of national helplines and specialist services available to support you, depending on your circumstances and what you need. These include organisations such as Samaritans, Rape Crisis, Galop and Catch22, as well as other services supporting people affected by sexual violence, abuse and trauma. You can find information about these organisations, the support they provide and how to contact them on our Support page.

Q: What is the Victims’ Right to Review Scheme?

The Victims’ Right to Review (VRR) Scheme allows victims to seek a review of certain Police decisions not to charge a suspect, or certain CPS decisions not to start a prosecution or stop a prosecution. The Police and CPS operate separate VRR schemes. You can find further information about these schemes and which decisions may be eligible for review on the Police UK website and the CPS website.

Q: How long do I have to request a VRR?

Requests for a VRR review should be made as soon as possible after you have been told about the decision, ideally within 10 working days (two weeks). Requests can be considered after three months, but this is usually only in exceptional circumstances.

Q: What should I do if I think my case may be eligible for VRR?

If you believe that your case may be eligible for a VRR review, then you should contact the Police or CPS to confirm this. If the decision was made by the Police: Every Police force has its own VRR Scheme. You can find details on how to apply either by asking the officer dealing with your case, or online on the force website. You can find more information on the Police UK website. If the decision was made by the CPS: The CPS has a national VRR Scheme. You can find more information on the CPS website. You can ask for a review by visiting the CPS contact portal and selecting ‘I want to request a Victims’ Right to Review’. Alternatively, you can contact your local CPS Area and ask to speak to their Victim Liaison Unit.

About ‘IAmReady’

What support is available to me?

What is the National ISVA Coordination (NISVAC) service?

How and when do I contact the National ISVA Coordination (NISVAC) service?

Is the National ISVA Coordination (NISVAC) service a specialist support service?

What is an ISVA?

How do I access ISVA support?

What other support is available to me?

Victims’ Right to Review (VRR)

What is the Victims’ Right to Review Scheme?

How long do I have to request a VRR?

What should I do if I think my case may be eligible for VRR?

What is ‘IAmReady’?

IAmReady is here to help victims and survivors understand the review processes available to them, where the Police or the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided to take ‘No Further Action’ (NFA).

Find out more

Support

View the support services available to you.

Find out more

What is ‘IAmReady’?

Find out more

Support

View the support services available to you.

Find out more