First Light has been awarded vital funding to provide additional support to people over the age of 65 who have experienced sexual violence and abuse. This funding will help First Light increase awareness and ensure that anyone over the age of 65 knows we are here to provide support.
We want everyone to know that you will always be heard, and you will be believed. All our services are free to access, and we will support you throughout the entire process, from reporting to the police, through the investigation, and during court proceedings.
Wiltshire has a higher percentage of residents over 65 (20.8%) compared to the national average. This demographic has grown by 30% and continues to increase. Between 2023-2024, 11 survivors over the age of 65 accessed our sexual violence services. However, our data indicates that we are not receiving the expected volume of referrals from this age group. We believe this is due to:
- Lack of awareness about referral pathways into sexual violence services
- Social isolation
- Fear of not being believed
- Financial constraints preventing access to services
This additional support has been made possible by the Wiltshire Community Foundation, which has provided funding to help us reach this community and remove barriers to accessing support. We are collaborating with incredible organisations such as Hourglass and Age UK, who support our referral pathways to ensure that anyone over the age of 65 can get the support they need in a trauma-informed approach, making a significant difference in their lives.
Wiltshire Community Foundation joint Chief Executive Fiona Oliver said: “We are proud to be working with First Light South West to support those aged over 65 who are survivors of sexual violence.
“Funding from our Older People’s Programme will allow for additional training for team members at First Light, as well as further workshops to put their training into practice, and an awareness campaign.
“One of the core objectives of the Older People’s Programme is to improve access to services, and we are hopeful that this funding will lead to increased amounts of accessible support for survivors within our community.”
Rachel, Team Manager of the ISVA Service, said: “We are committed to ensuring that survivors of sexual violence over the age of 65 receive the support they need. This funding will help us reach more people and provide the necessary services to help them be heard, believed, and supported.”
Our Independent Sexual Assault Advisory (ISVA) service offers dedicated, trained staff who provide one-on-one support. Accredited ISVAs both male and female, are available to travel and visit you within the county.
Our support is available for both recent and non-recent sexual violence. We want anyone who has experienced sexual assault or rape, no matter when it occurred, to know that we are here for you. It is never too late to report, and you will always be heard, believed, and supported.
Our ISVA service provides a range of services whether you have reported the incident, are thinking of reporting, or want to know your options.
Support Options:
- Reporting Support: If you have not reported the incident to the police, you will be offered three Options meetings to understand the support available to you, including anonymous reporting or police routes.
- Non-Reporting Support: If you do not wish to report, you can still access other services such as receiving a self-care booklet and participating in our Trauma Stabilisation programme.
Trauma Stabilisation Programme:
This programme offers three optional sessions via telephone with our Support Coordinators to discuss onward referrals, emotional support, and coping and grounding techniques.
What to Expect from Our ISVA Service:
- Initial Contact: You will be contacted by our team within 48 hours of receiving your referral. They will explain more about the ISVA service and confirm your details over the phone.
- Dedicated ISVA: You’ll be assigned a dedicated ISVA when one is available in your area. They will provide continued support, including face-to-face support, throughout the criminal justice process and accompany you to court if needed.
- Regular Check-ins: Support Coordinators will check in with you every 6 to 8 weeks, or less frequently if you prefer, through an agreed communication method (Text, Email, Telephone, or WhatsApp). They are available Monday to Friday.
- Ad-Hoc Support: We also offer ad-hoc calls with a Duty ISVA to answer any questions you may have and provide support with police interviews if you are not yet allocated to an ISVA.
Additional Services:
First Light also operates the Sexual Assault Referral Centre for Swindon and Wiltshire, providing immediate medical support with or without police involvement.
First Light is dedicated to providing accessible support for everyone. We offer specialised roles within our team to ensure that expert staff are at your disposal should you require their assistance.
