Telephone Support
For survivors and their family or friends via our telephone helpline on 01905 724514. All of our helpline operators are female, and are trained to a Nationally Accredited level. All calls are treated with the strictest confidentiality.
The helpline is open:
Mondays 7.30pm-9.30pm
Tuesdays 1.00pm-5.00pm
Thursdays 7.30pm-9.30pm
Fridays 10.00am-2.00pm
At any other time please leave a message on our 24hr answerphone and we will get back to you as soon as we can. You can also email us at wrsasc@btconnect.com.
Although we are not able to provide support to male survivors, we are able to provide telephone support for men or women who are supporting a female survivor.
Face-to-face support
If you would like face-to-face support, we will arrange an initial appointment to talk to you to identify your immediate needs. We will then organise a counsellor to provide you with the regular support you are seeking.
To help you, this support can be provided on a weekly or fortnightly basis, for one hour at a time, and the days and times will be arranged between you and your counsellor to suit you both.
You can contact us by phone, post or email or, if you wish, you can ask a friend or professional (nurse, doctor, social worker etc.) to contact us on your behalf.
We can also organise appointments for women who are supporting a female survivor, please call the helpline if you wish to arrange this.
What we would expect from you:
To help protect the confidentiality and peace of mind of women using our service, please keep our address and location confidential.
Please respect your counsellor’s time and effort by letting us know at the earliest opportunity if you are unable to keep an appointment.
Signposting Service
We provide a signposting service aimed to help survivors, supporters and professionals identify other services that may be of help. We recognise that sometimes you may want support for another area of your life, but not know where to turn. We keep contact numbers for as many different support agencies as we can find, so we may be able to help you find the support you need, whether it be for an eating disorder, self-injury, parenting issues etc. Simply email us, write to us or call our helpline.
Independent Sexual Violence Advisor
The Independent Sexual Violence Advisor is based at Worcestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre. The female advisor can offer practical and emotional support to women over 16 years of age who have experienced sexual violence.
The ISVA is available to work with female victims:
- From the point of crisis (eg within emergency services following an attack).
- To provide emotional, factual & practical support
- To support the victim throughout the legal process and beyond if the victim wishes to report the incident to the police
- Help clients access their rights and other services they require.
An initial assessment is offered either by telephone or face to face. The purpose of this is to discuss how this service can help you. The assessment visit will take no longer than an hour and you can take a break at any time.
Anything discussed will be in the strictest confidence and no information will be shared with other agencies without your consent unless it involves matters of child protection, or you or other people are at risk of serious harm.
Sometimes it can be difficult to talk to your family, partner or friends about what has happened to you, or you may not have told anyone at all. Your Independent Sexual Violence Advisor can provide the opportunity to talk in a safe and confidential environment.
Briefly the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor could help with the following:
- Emotional Support
- Help with the court process; explaining procedures, pre-court visits
- Liaising with the Police
- Accessing health and other related services
- Keep you updated with the progress of any investigation or court case
- Help with housing needs; liaising with specific agencies
- Referrals to other agencies that can help such as counselling
This is not a complete list, but hopefully gives you an understanding of what the service offers.
For further information, to make a referral or appointment, or an informal chat please contact:
Denise Griffiths – Independent Sexual Violence Advisor - Mobile: 07787757495
Support for men
We are unable to provide face to face support for men however we do have access to contact details of organisations and private counsellors who specialise in male rape and sexual abuse.
If you wish to access this information please call us and we will endeavour to help you as best we can.
We are able to provide telephone support for men who are supporting a female survivor. Please call the helpline to arrange this.