Horizon Sexual Violence Services
Our Horizon sexual violence services offer support to women and men who have been victims of rape, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse
Our Horizon Services:
Independent Sexual Violence Advisor
The Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) is a victim-focused advisor who works with women, men and children over the age of 13 who have been victims of rape, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse at anytime in their life.
This Gwent-wide service is completely confidential, unless there is a significant risk to you or others and telling someone would make a difference.
How the ISVA can help
The support the ISVA provides will vary from case to case depending on your requirements.
She can:
- Help you decide if you wish to report to the police
- Give you information about the legal process and your rights
- Support you in all stages of the legal process if you have made a report to the police
- Support you when you give evidence in court
- Assist you with contacting the police and prosecution service
- Talk with you about your situation in a safe space
- Listen to you, find out what your needs are and assist you to gain support from other agencies
- Work with you if you do not wish to report to the police
In an emergency, always call the police on 999. If you want to report an abuse that has already happened, or a suspicion of abuse, call the police on 101.
How to refer to the ISVA
Referrals can be made through Cyfannol Women’s Aid, you can self-refer, or be referred by an agency.
Complete the referral form to make a referral.
Gwent Sexual Violence Counselling Service
This service has been set up to provide counselling to female and male adult survivors of sexual abuse who live in the Gwent area. Free confidential counselling is available to any adult living in the Gwent area who is currently experiencing or has in the past experienced sexual abuse.
Visit the Horizon Counselling page for further information.
We encourage clients to use different forms of expression to support the therapeutic process. These are examples of artwork produced by counselling clients, independently and through art therapy:
The Sexual Violence Recovery Toolkit Programme
A 12-week programme that helps survivors, who are in a position to take part in a group, come to terms with their experiences and develop positive lifestyle and coping strategies.
If you would like to know more about this programme, please get in touch.
Sexual Exploitation Advocacy Support Service (SEASS)
This Gwent-wide project provides information, advice, support and advocacy services to women who are currently, or are at risk of, experiencing sexual or financial exploitation.
If you would like to know more about this project, please get in touch.
No…SH! (No Sexual Harassment)
No…SH! (No Sexual Harassment) is a new peer-led project, developed by Cyfannol Women’s Aid and Volunteering Matters, and delivered as part of Cyfannol’s Horizon sexual violence services. Volunteers engaged with No…SH! work with and support women aged 16-35 across Gwent who have learning difficulties or autism, empowering them to recognise sexual harassment and abuse, speak out and access support.
No…SH! is delivered by volunteers, many of whom have learning difficulties themselves. The project has been developed with funding from ROSA, the UK Fund For Women and Girls, in response to reports of sexual harassment towards women with learning difficulties on public transport. Training and awareness raising sessions are conducted on a group and one-to-one basis in facilities throughout Gwent.
If you would like to know more about this project, please get in touch.
Peer Support Group
This group brings together people with shared experiences to support each other, offering useful information on coping with the trauma of sexual violence and abuse, and introducing ideas and approaches that others have found helpful.
Family & Friends of Survivors Well-being Group
When someone close to us has been a victim of sexual abuse, it can feel frightening and overwhelming. Being in a group with others who are experiencing this can help family members and friends to explore these feelings, whilst gaining more knowledge to help themselves as well as their loved ones.
The Wider Picture:
Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse has been set up to investigate whether public bodies and other non-state institutions in England and Wales have taken seriously their responsibility to protect children from sexual abuse, and make meaningful recommendations for change in the future.
The Truth Project
The IICSA Truth Project gives victims and survivors of child sexual abuse who were failed by an institution the opportunity to share their experiences with a shared facilitator in a supportive environment. Those who speak out will not be judged. The Inquiry will use these experiences to help keep children safe in future.
If you experienced sexual abuse as a child and were failed by an institution, you can put your experience on record with the Truth Project. To find out more, head to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse’s website, call on 0800 917 1000, email share@iicsa.org.uk, or visit the Facebook page, @IICSATruthProject
Download the Referral Form, read the Horizon Services Leaflet or contact us for further information.