Children's independent sexual violence advocate (CISVA)

The role of the children’s independent sexual violence advocate (CISVA) is to provide immediate emotional and practical support to a child or young person following disclosure of sexual harm and/or abuse. The CISVA will provide support via a parent or carer if the child is unable to engage.

The CISVA is an independent worker who acts as a direct point of contact for the child or family, and liaises with the police, social care and other agencies about the ongoing investigation, whilst advocating for the client’s needs. This can also include talking to the client about the pros and cons of making a formal complaint and providing an 'achieving best evidence' interview to the police.

The CISVA continues to provide support throughout the criminal justice process, including arranging any special measures and/or pre-recorded evidence via section 28 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, and attending court with the client. The level of support offered is dependent on each client’s assessed needs.

The CISVA remains independent of all other agencies and does not discuss any details of the abuse with the client.

How to make a referral

A referral for a CISVA can be made when a disclosure of sexual abuse and/or harm has just been reported by a child or young person and is being investigated by the police or children's social care service. Most CISVA referrals are made by these organisations, but any agency can make a referral for CISVA support

Before making a referral for a CISVA, the referrer must have consent. The CISVA is a voluntary service that can be declined by the client, parent or carer.

There isn’t a waiting list for a CISVA, and contact will be made within 48 hours of the referral being received.

Therapeutic wellbeing and formal therapy

Referral criteria

A young person is eligible for therapeutic wellbeing or formal therapy through Barnsley Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Services (BSARCS) if they:

• are aged 0 to 17 years
• live in Barnsley
• have experienced sexual abuse and this has been reported or investigated by the police/social care service, and where any criminal proceedings have concluded

Referrals are also accepted for young people who have been impacted by sexual abuse (for example: a child whose father has abused a half-sibling).

Who can make a referral

Referrals are accepted from professionals, parents, carers and self-referrals as long as the above referral criteria has been met.

How to make a referral

Call 01226 320140 to make a referral for therapeutic wellbeing or formal therapy through BSARCS.

If you're a professional, you'll be guided through how to complete a referral form and return it through a secure link. The referral will then be screened to see which support is most suitable for the client to access. You need to contact BSARCS 72 hours after submitting the referral to confirm it's been received.

Parents, carers, and self-referrers will then receive a call back about the service. 

After making a referral

There's an 8-week waiting list for therapy and emotional wellbeing support.

BSARCS will undertake work with parents and carers of clients, including joint sessions where required, liaising with schools and other key professionals in order to help the client recover from the trauma of sexual harm.

They also offer a trauma-informed parenting group to parents/carers of clients using the service.