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What is an ‘ISVA’?

An Introduction into the role of a Children and Young Person’s Independent Sexual Violence Advisor Shannon Little & Mariel Kirton. What is an ‘ISVA’?.

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What is an ‘ISVA’?

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  1. An Introduction into the role of aChildren and Young Person’s Independent Sexual Violence AdvisorShannon Little & Mariel Kirton

  2. What is an ‘ISVA’? ISVA’s are professionally qualified, accredited advisors who offer emotional and practical support to clients who have reported to the police, or who are considering reporting to the police. The ISVA will provide ongoing continuity and advocacy as the single point of contact for the client, based on their individual needs whilst providing impartial and independent advice. The aim is that regardless of the outcome and at what stage their involvement with the CJS ends, the client is able to leave the process feeling ‘heard’, feeling that they were believed, knowing that they made informed choices and did all they could - having been supported from beginning to end.

  3. “ISVAs help the victim make sense of the system. They help the police by supporting the victim throughout the investigation. They help the prosecution by supporting the victim through the psychologically grueling process of preparing to give evidence. They provide a link between the criminal case that is underway and the range of social agencies whose help may be needed. Victims find that an ISVA makes an enormous difference to the way they feel about what is happening to them.” The Stern Review 2010

  4. West Yorkshire Victim Support ISVA Service Launched in 2015 by the Police and Crime Commissioner, the service has 10 ISVA’s covering the West Yorkshire Region and works with males and females of all ages. This includes 2 Children and Young persons ISVA (us!), one of which specifically deals with CSE cases. We hold the contract with the SARC for ISVA referrals and this is the source of the majority of our referrals alongside those directly from police officers. We offer one to one support at the home, in outreach venues and out of our office locations in Leeds, Shipley, Wakefield, Huddersfield and Halifax. We also have three ISVA’s who are co-located from the Safeguarding Units at Havertop Lane, Elland Road and Dewsbury. We also offer assemblies and workshops to schools on colleges to improve education surrounding consent, the law and support available.

  5. Attend Multi-Agency partnership meetings Support clients at all stages of the Criminal Justice process from Report to Court Pre-trial visits Liaise with police about updates Provide information regarding CICA Work closely with WCU, police and CPS What do ISVA’s do? Support when the client is giving evidence, ISVA’s are allowed in live links and Section 28 Make appropriate referrals acting as the single point of contact for victims Emotional support around the impact of the crime Post-court support Manage client expectations about outcomes and timescales. Assist with Victims Right to Review Appeals Advice around Special Measures

  6. Attend Forensic Medicals Sit in on the Video Recorded Interview Discuss the evidence Provide counselling support Coach the client Discuss or rehearse the client’s evidence What do ISVA’s NOT do? Provide mental health support Review the client’s evidence with them pre-trial Offer a set number of sessions Support multiple victims involved in the same case Make recommendations or give personal advice to the client Have an in depth knowledge of the case Offer a ‘one size fits all’ service

  7. Supporting Children and Young People Support where the child is comfortable – school/home/outreach Building trust & emotional support Reassurance around and explanation of the investigation & court Developing coping strategies – You&Co workbooks, online resources, educational materials Signposting/referring to appropriate services Healthy relationships, consent, defining grooming & CSE

  8. Supporting Children and Young People in court Intermediaries The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (the 1999 Act) recognises that certain witnesses are ‘vulnerable’ and makes them ‘eligible for assistance on the grounds of age or incapacity’ (Section 16). One form of assistance is the intermediary whose function is to communicate to the vulnerable witness, 'questions put to the witness, and to any persons asking such questions, the answers given by the witness in reply to them, and to explain such questions or answers so far as necessary to enable them to be understood by the witness or person in question' (section 29 (2) of the 1999 Act). Special Measures • Grounds rules hearing - Section 28 Hearing • Removal of wigs and gowns - Video link • Designated witness suite - Sentencing

  9. Case Study We supported the aggrieved in this case from the date of referral in October 2017, throughout the police investigation, court process, sentencing and the support is still ongoing post CJS. We provided regular updates and information on the police process. Made onward referrals to appropriate counselling services. Liaised with the aggrieved school on how they can support her in school as well as informing of the court dates to pre-authorise absence. Provided personal safety and security items. Assisted with housing support so the family could move out of the area Arranged the pre trial visit and sat in while the aggrieved gave her Section 28 hearing. Supported the aggrieved’s Mum while she gave her evidence Assisted the aggrieved and her Mum in writing their Victim Impact Statements Attended sentencing with the family Provided information on the CICA Process An 'entrenched paedophile' who filmed himself raping an 11-year-old girl as she held a teddy bear has been locked up for 29 years. https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/crime/depraved-yorkshire-paedophile-filmed-himself-raping-11-year-old-girl-as-she-held-teddy-bear-1-9746488

  10. Independent Sexual Violence Advisor Forum CPS Rape Scrutiny Panel Offer training on the ISVA role Multi Agency Partnership Working #WorkingBetterTogether Sexual Health Pathway Meetings SARC Operations Meeting CPS ISVA Engagement Event National ISVA Conference West Yorkshire Sexual Violence Forum Children and Young Person’s Caseworker Meetings Regular meetings with Safeguarding Unit/CID Personnel re. cases

  11. Questions?

  12. West Yorkshire Victim Support ISVA Service Tel: 01274 535432 wy.isva@victimsupport.cjsm.net

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