This page provides an overview of our Swindon and Wiltshire Sexual Abuse Services, including the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) and our Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) Service.
Each video offers a brief introduction to a specific part of the service, helping you understand what we do and how we support people affected by sexual violence. Our aim is to give you a clear picture of the help available and how our teams work.
You can use the menu to choose the part of the service you’d like to learn more about, or simply scroll down and watch the videos in the order they appear.
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This video explains the support offered at the Swindon and Wiltshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), a safe, confidential, and independent service for any adult who has been raped or sexually assaulted, regardless of gender or background.
The SARC team focuses on your choice and your control at every step. Nothing happens without your consent, and everything is explained clearly beforehand.
A visit usually lasts around 4 hours.
You will be welcomed by a crisis worker, offered refreshments, and guided through each stage. Nurses will check your health and ensure the care you receive is right for you.
A medical examination with your consent typically takes about 30 minutes and may involve swabs, photographs, and injury documentation.
Afterwards, you may receive medication, clean clothes, and help planning next steps, including referrals to GPs, sexual health clinics, or the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) service.
Whether or not you report to the police is always your decision.
You can:
People aged 18 and over can use the SARC. Young people aged 16 to 17 can be referred to The Bridge service.
The SARC gives you time, space, and support to process what has happened. It helps you understand your options and allows you to preserve evidence in case you choose to pursue a criminal investigation later.
Each video offers a brief introduction to a specific part of the service, helping you understand what we do and how we support people affected by sexual violence. Our aim is to give you a clear picture of the help available and how our teams work.
You can use the menu to choose the part of the service you’d like to learn more about, or simply scroll down and watch the videos in the order they appear.
All staff are ISVA accredited and follow national guidelines. The service is trauma informed, so you will not be asked to go into detail about what happened, but some information may be needed during the assessment to understand how the experience has affected you. This helps the team plan appropriate support.
The calls are designed to help you think through whether reporting is right for you. ISVAs cannot discuss the details of the incident or anything that may count as evidence, but they can give clear information about the criminal justice system, address common myths, and help you decide what feels best for you.
ISVAs are trained to work in a trauma informed and person centred way. They provide impartial advice and focus on supporting you without pressure. You can choose to speak to a male or female ISVA, or indicate that you have no preference.
During these calls, the ISVA will explain what reporting to the police involves. This includes how to report, whether that is through calling 101, reporting online, or attending a police station. They will also explain how the criminal justice system works, what happens after reporting, and what to expect during a statement, which is often recorded as a video interview.
ISVAs can signpost you to other specialist services such as counselling. If you decide not to report, they can explain how to make an anonymous intelligence report to the police, allowing information to be shared without making a formal complaint.
Options calls are there to support you in making the decision that is right for you. They help you understand your choices and think about how you want to move forward after what has happened.
ISVAs are not mental health clinicians or therapists. Instead, they deliver a client‑led, trauma informed service focused on your needs. They provide impartial information and support at every stage of the criminal justice system, from the police investigation through to charging decisions, court, and trial.
ISVAs are independent from the police, though they work collaboratively with them. Their work follows Ministry of Justice statutory guidance that sets out what ISVAs can do and how they should act. Their support remains person centred, trauma informed, and focused on practical and emotional care.
ISVAs cannot talk to you about the evidence or details of the incident. However, they can discuss how you are feeling, provide information, signpost you to specialist services such as counselling, and act as your advocate when communicating with the police, CPS, or other professionals.
ISVAs support you through every stage of the criminal justice process for as long as you want or as long as your case is active. This includes guidance during police statements and video recorded interviews, supporting you through the investigation, and explaining why different steps are happening.
If your case is sent to the CPS and charges are brought, an ISVA helps you prepare for court. They explain special measures, liaise with Witness Services, and can arrange and accompany you on a pre‑court visit. If approved by the judge, they can be present with you in court throughout the trial.
If there is a guilty verdict, the ISVA can support you at the sentencing hearing in the same way they would during the trial. They explain everything that is happening, why it is happening, and what comes next.
Before support ends, the ISVA checks whether you need any onward referrals, such as counselling or information about the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. They will review your needs and make appropriate referrals. When support closes, they ask for feedback through a survey.
The criminal justice system can feel confusing and overwhelming, especially after a traumatic experience. ISVAs help explain the process, reduce confusion, and support you emotionally throughout. While they are not counsellors, they help you understand what is happening and place your experience in context so you do not feel alone.
The video introduces a Children and Young Person’s Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (CYP ISVA), whose role is to support anyone under 18 throughout the criminal justice process. After being referred through The Bridge SARC and completing initial triage with a Support Coordinator, a young person is allocated to a CYP ISVA for ongoing support.
The CYP ISVA’s role is to make the process clearer and less overwhelming. Their support is trauma informed, helping young people feel safe, understood, and supported at each stage. They explain different parts of the investigation and ensure the young person understands their rights under the Victim’s Code of Practice.
The CYP ISVA acts as a consistent point of contact so the young person does not feel alone or unsure about what is happening. They help break down information and guide them through the process in a clear and calm way.
In the early stages, the CYP ISVA completes a safety and support assessment over several sessions. This helps identify the young person’s needs and any areas where additional support or signposting may be beneficial. As a relationship builds, the ISVA helps the young person understand the impact of the crime and discusses suitable onward referrals.
The CYP ISVA can also support parents and carers to help them understand the process and to signpost them to any additional services they may find helpful. This aims to make the journey smoother for everyone involved.
The CYP ISVA does not discuss evidence or details of the incident. The young person will not be asked to repeat their experience, as these conversations remain with the police. The ISVA’s role is to explain the process, answer questions, advocate for the young person, and ensure their voice is heard.
The CYP ISVA can support the young person with any court-related needs. This includes arranging and attending pre-trial visits, supporting them during the trial, and working with schools or other professionals to make things easier.
Throughout the process, young people can expect honesty, clarity, and respectful support. Their questions will be taken seriously, and their safety and well-being are the highest priority.
The trauma stabilisation programme offered by First Light is available to anyone aged 14 and above who has experienced sexual harm. It can be accessed whether or not there is an open police investigation, and it can take place before, during, or after ISVA support.
The programme is not counselling or therapy. Instead, it is a standalone service designed to help people learn practical tools for managing emotions in daily life. It can also be a starting point for those who may want longer term counselling in the future through external agencies.
The programme consists of three telephone sessions, each lasting up to one hour. These are usually completed over a six week period, with one session approximately every two weeks.
Session one focuses on understanding trauma and how the brain responds to it.
Sessions two and three build on this by exploring emotional responses, learning to feel safe again, and developing coping mechanisms and grounding techniques.
For young people aged 14 to 16, a trusted adult such as a parent or carer must be present during the sessions.
For ages 16 to 17, consent from a trusted adult is required, and while their presence is not mandatory, it is recommended they are nearby.
Support Coordinators delivering the sessions are not mental health professionals, so the sessions remain structured rather than therapeutic. However, they are still tailored to the individual’s needs.
Referrals to the programme can be made at any stage of the ISVA journey. This may be at initial referral, during the assessment, while receiving ISVA support, or after support has ended.
The main reason someone may not be suitable is if they have ongoing suicidal thoughts or significant mental health needs without other support in place. In these cases, referrals to alternative services may be made first.
Trauma stabilisation helps individuals understand their emotional and physical responses to trauma. Many people struggle to make sense of how they reacted during or after the traumatic event. The programme aims to reduce feelings of self blame, build understanding of trauma responses, and teach practical tools and grounding techniques to manage emotions more effectively.