Female Case Study
Josy (not her real name) a 35 year old female was referred to the ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Adviser) service offered by IDAS by the Police following a report from Josy who had suffered Child Sexual Abuse by a family member. The Police opened a case against the suspect. Josy didn’t think she would be believed, she had struggled over the years with severe self-harm and drinking used as coping mechanisms a consequence of never being believed as a child. Josy was unfamiliar with the criminal justice system and was scared, anxious and at times hesitant whether she was doing the right thing.
The Police and the ISVA service work together in supporting victims, ISVA’s are trained in Sexual Trauma and have access to Court approved counsellors. ISVA’s understand the court process and can reassure and update victims when required.
Josy was a difficult client initially, she struggled to engage and the ISVA used many different approaches. Finally Josy chose to engage, as she didn’t drive and lived in a remote area the ISVA arranged to meet initially in a nearby tranquil park and then weekly at Josy’s home, if Josy needed support in-between this was done via What’s App, Skype video calls and Zoom, the ISVA helped Josy with installing these on her phone.
Josy could not believe that she was being taken seriously and really started to open up with the right help from the ISVA and other agencies.
Josy received the following support;
- counselling
- referral to Survive for emotional support
- 1:1 Work on sleeping problems
- 1:1 Work on healthy coping strategies
- 1:1 Work on sexualised trauma and normalisation of feelings
- support confidence building
- court Support
There was an additional setback with the case as more family members came forward to disclose abuse from the same Male.
The Male was found guilty two years later after all the evidence and statements had been collected and received a substantial prison sentence.
Josy expressed a belief that if it hadn’t been for the support from everyone involved she would not have continued with the criminal justice process. Josy is in a much better place, coping more positively and still remains a client of IDAS.
Victims of Rape and Serious Sexual Assault can access the York Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) this can be as a self-referral (No Police involved) or a referral by Police / Social Care.
The SARC can conduct a forensic medical and support victims who may be undecided in taking their case to the Police for investigation. They can advise and signpost to other agencies for ongoing support.
