Help & Support – you are not alone

If you have been a victim of sexual abuse, sexual assault or sexual violence – weather it happened yesterday or years ago – you are not alone and support is available.

Free and confidential support is open to everyone through the Rape & Sexual Violence Project (RSVP) with a direct link to their team of professional Independent Sexual Violence Advocates (ISVA’s) through the NOT NORMAL NOT OK campaign.

All you have to do is call (0121) 643 0301 and select Option 2, or email isva@rsvporg.co.uk and ask for Natalie Harris – say you’ve been given her name by NOT NORMAL NOT OK and Natalie will arrange the right ISVA for you depending on your individual needs.

RSVP ISVA’s can then talk you through your options, and should you wish to report someone to the police an ISVA will believe, help and support you through the entire process.

What can RSVP can offer:

    • Practical support from arranging and supporting you at intimate or sexual health appointments and screenings, to advice and proactive support in dealing with the police, court, criminal justice process or other responsible authorities. The ISVA team can simply and clearly talk you through your options and choices in relation to reporting to the police, should you wish to do so. They can arrange for you to meet with a specially trained police officer and be at the police station with you during such meetings.
    • Emotional support – through a helpline, counselling service, and from the ISVA team alongside the practical support they are providing.
    • Arranging interviews with specially trained police officers offering a direct link to members of the police force who deal specifically with sexual violence.
    • Anonymously passing on details about your attacker/s to the police making the police aware of the offender, and helping them to gather information on continuing perpetrators of sexual violence

You can also make a direct report to West Midlands Police. Anyone reporting sexual assault will be dealt with by a specialist investigator. If it is an emergency, please dial 999, and for all other non-urgent reports please contact 101.

If you have any concerns or questions that you wish to discuss please contact sally.simpson@west-midands.pnn.police.uk putting ‘Referred by NOT NORMAL NOT OK’ in the subject box.

If you need any further information, please contact a member of the NOT NORMAL NOT OK campaign team by emailing us at this address and asking for Marina, Charlotte, or Ed.

No one has the right to sexually abuse you, it’s NOT NORMAL NOT OK and there is support for anyone who needs it.

For more on RSVP, visit www.rsvporg.co.uk