1 in 4 women have been raped or sexually assaulted as an adult (Office for National Statistics, 2021). Our knowledgeable and experienced ISVAS are able to provide support to all women who have experienced any form of sexual abuse or violence. Although no recovery looks the same, we recognise typical reactions to sexual abuse including feelings of blame and shame often perpetrated by myths relating to women – such as how they may have dressed and whether they were drunk at the time. We know that sexual abuse is never your fault.

Further Support:

• Home – Herts Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre 01707 276512, [email protected] A free and confidential service for women aged 18 over who live in Hertfordshire and have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives.

• Home | Rights of Women A charity that provides frontline legal advice to women experiencing all forms of violence against women and girls in England and Wales.

We understand that many men do not report abuse due to shame, denial and other myths and stereotypes, and because sexual abuse is mostly spoken about from a solely female victim perspective, this can silence male survivors.

We know that any man or boy can be raped or sexually assaulted, regardless of their age, size or strength, and that perpetrators can be other men or also women. The office for national statistics reports that 1 in 18 men have been raped or sexually assaulted as an adult (2023).

We want to assure you that every cis or trans man or boy will be heard, fully supported and advocated for on their survivor journey through our tailored and individual support.

We have an empathetic and non-judgemental male ISVA available for support, however you will always be given the option to choose to work with a female ISVA if you would prefer.

Further Support:

• Mankind – Support for Men – www.mankind.org.uk/ 0808 800 1170

• Respect – The Men’s Advice Line www.mensadviceline.org.uk/ 0808 8010 327

t’s estimated that 1 in 6 children experience sexual abuse (NSPCC 2011)

We provide support for all children and young people who are victims of child sexual abuse and child exploitation.

Click here for our dedicated page for both children and young people, but also their parents and carers too.

Further Support:

• We Stand Helpline 0800 980 1958 We Stand offer a range of support services and information for families affected by child sexual abuse. All services are accessed via their national helpline.

• Sexual abuse | NSPCC NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000 [email protected]

Domestic Abuse is any controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse carried out by a current or previous intimate partner or family member. It is usually a pattern of behaviour and can often escalate. It is never your fault. Domestic Abuse can happen at any point in a relationship, whether you live with the person or not. It can happen to anyone over 16 regardless of gender, sexuality, disability, race, ethnicity or religion. Sexual abuse can and does still happen within relationships, and does not make any form of unwanted sexual contact ok.

We know that 1 in 2 rapes against women are carried out by their partner or ex-partner (Office for National Statistics). Therefore our team of domestic abuse specialists work with women and men who are victims of domestic abuse where some form of sexual abuse has occurred. Our tailored support will look to safety plan for your future, and enable you to access further domestic violence services should you require these such as Independent Domestic Violence Advisors and seeking refuge.

Further Support:

We also run the Beacon Domestic Abuse Support Hub if you need further support or advice for yourself, someone you know, or are working with in a professional capacity.Beacon Domestic Abuse

Support Hub – One YMCA 0300 002 0008 [email protected]

• Emergency Safe Accommodation or Refuge – Safer places on 03301 025 811 or email [email protected]
• https://www.suzylamplugh.org/Pages/Category/national-stalking-helpline 0808 802 0300
• DV Assist – For help arranging court orders https://www.dvassist.org.uk/ 0300 0040 375
• Karma Nirvana – Honour Based Abuse or Forced Marriage https://karmanirvana.org.uk/get-help/helpline 0800 5999 247
• Forced Marriage Helpline 0207 0080151 or out of hours 0207 008 1500
• Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline is a confidential, free, support and signposting service for anyone affected by domestic abuse. 08088 088 088

We want to ensure everyone has the space to feel safe and welcome and want you to know that the individual challenges of your situation will be understood and effectively supported following your initial assessment.

We will follow your lead with regards to how you identify, using your preferred pronouns and only sharing relevant and wanted information with other services such as the police.

We understand that sexual violence experienced by LGBTQ+ people can be motivated by homophobia, biphobia or transphobia and can add another layer of trauma to your experience.

Chemsex: we are knowledgeable and non-judgemental support workers, and are here to support anyone regardless of how and when they were assaulted. Everyone has the right to enjoy safe sex and we know that it is never your fault if you have been assaulted or raped if you were unable to consent after taking drugs and/or drinking alcohol.

Further support:

• Galop – LGBTQ+ helpline https://galop.org.uk/get-help/helplines/ 0800 999 5428

• Loving Me – Support for trans and non-binary people who have experienced sexual & domestic abuse https://www.lovingme.uk/ 07902 478958

• What is chemsex? Support, advice and how to stay safe.

Trafficking and exploitation looks different for every victim, for example we work with victims of child sexual exploitation – this may be support for current or recent abuse, or perhaps working with an adult survivor who experienced this as a child. We also work with adults who are victims of human trafficking and exploitation where sexual abuse has taken place.

Our ISVA’s including our specialist ISVA, offer a safe and confidential space to talk about what is going on for you. We understand that it may take time to build trust, as you may be fearful or wary of new people. We will take time to ensure you feel comfortable and heard. We can meet you in a safe space whether that be on the phone, or visiting you at home, school or perhaps going for a walk. We can work in partnership with other professionals and ensure you are informed of your options including providing information on the National Referral Mechanism if this is relevant for you.

What is Child Sexual Exploitation?

Child Sexual exploitation (CSE) is a form of abuse where a child is coerced, forced or manipulated into sexual activity and in return will receive something such as attention, gifts,

drugs, alcohol, money etc. Perpetrators of this kind of abuse can be strangers perhaps who the victim meets online, however can also be trusted people such as family members or

friends, authority figures such as teachers and religious leaders. The important thing to remember is that it is never the child or young person’s fault.

CSE can include:

Communication online, being coerced and forced to take and send intimate pictures of oneself

Being coerced and forced into looking at sexual pictures or watching pornography

Being forced or coerced to touch oneself

Sexual assault or rape including touching and kissing.

Sometimes it can also involve a victim being moved around to various places from abuser to abuse. This then becomes trafficking.

What is human trafficking and exploitation?

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 states that human trafficking occurs when a person is moved in order to be exploited/ arranges or facilitates the travel of another person with a view to that person being exploited. The movement doesn’t need to be across countries but can be from one side of town to another. Sexual exploitation is a type of modern slavery, whereby a victim is forced to engage in sexual activity. Our ISVA’s are here to support victims of this type of exploitation and trafficking.

Further support:

• Services for Young People (Hertfordshire) Projects: Helping young people to stay safe
• Child exploitation | Catch22 Support for young people, professionals, parents and carers with the aim of preventing or stopping child exploitation and missing incidents.
• UK charity working to end sexual exploitation | Beyond The Streets Support and helpline for those who are being sexually exploited in the sex industry.
• Modern slavery and trafficking | British Red Cross Supports people who have experienced human trafficking including support to enter the National Referral Mechanism.
• Modern Slavery and Exploitation helpline 08000 121 700 www.modernslaveryhelpline.org

Our work is culturally sensitive and inclusive. We respect and work with people of all backgrounds and cultures as well as working with people who speak all languages using our

translation service.

•  Karma Nirvana: Run the national honor based abuse helpline working to end Honor based abuse in the UK. 0800 5999 247
•  Domestic Abuse Helpline – Southall Black Sisters: 020 8571 0800 Southall Black Sisters have a national confidential helpline 0208 571 0800. they speak several different languages and can provide an interpreter if needed. They provide holistic advocacy services aimed at helping black and minorities women live free from all forms of violence and abuse.
• Jewish Women’s Aid: Supporting Jewish women and children affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence. Jewish Women’s Aid is the UK only specialist organization dedicated to supporting Jewish women and children affected by domestic and sexual abuse. 0808 901 0500

Travelling Community:

• Home – Space for Women – Support for GRT women The Traveler movement’s Safe Space for women is for Gypsy, Roma and traveller women to get the information and support they need. Domestic abuse helpline 0754 1637 795