Independent Sexual Violence Advisor and Associated Community Based Services

The Contracting Authority invites interest from suitably experienced service providers for the provision of Specialist Services to Support Victims of Sexual Violence for the county of Essex for a three year period from 1st April 2016 with the option for a further 2 years in one year extensions (subject to funding and at the sole discretion of the Contracting Authority).

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Lot 1: Provision of an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) Service. The core role of an ISVA includes making sure that victims of sexual abuse have the best possible practical advice on what counselling and other services are available to them, on the process involved in reporting a crime to the police, and on taking their case through the criminal justice process should they choose to do so.

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Lot 2: Community Based Services for the Victims of Sexual Violence. Community based sexual violence services tend to provide longer term specialist ‘wraparound’ therapeutic support for a victim or survivor, with a focus on helping them to recover from the harm they have experienced. Services can include: • confidential information and support helplines • face to face counseling • general advocacy (help with housing, financial, life skills, health, employment) • group work • child and family practice (direct work with children and families, and parenting support) • work with young people and adolescents Different approaches will be required depending on the individual’s situation.