Race & Equality Advocacy
This service is for those who have been subjected to sexual abuse or violence and who also experience life as minoritised individuals, impacted by discrimination such as racism. This service is led by an ISVA with lived experience being minoritised, and support is available to anyone aged 18 and over who lives within the Birmingham and Solihull area.
We know that individuals from minoritised ethnic groups will face additional burdens and will have additional needs. As a safe space to support, RSVP offers a tailored advocacy service which takes into consideration the combination of inequalities you might be facing.
Our Race and Equality Independent Sexual Violence Advocate can offer practical and emotional support that is culturally responsive via the following ways:
– Ensuring your individual views, opinions, wishes and needs are understood, respected, listened to and met by all the agencies supporting you.
– Giving you information if you’re unsure of whether you want to report to the police or not.
– Offering emotional and practical help if you have already reported to ensure you understand and receive your legal rights and entitlements, e.g. special measures in court where you give evidence from behind a screen or via a video link.
– Arranging appointments, referring you to, or providing you with emotional support, when you need to attend other support services, such as Umbrella Sexual Health services, and some types of health appointments e.g. hospital, doctors, dentists, opticians. Read more on our health support page.
– Signposting and referring you to by-and-for services for specialist support
– Offering you support before, during and after certain types of health appointments, which you may find distressing or triggering due to the sexual abuse you were subjected to. Our Race and Equality Advocate will support you to ensure that your needs and wishes are understood and that you don’t feel alone.
– Informing you of other options you might have such as Civil Action, Criminal Injuries, Compensation Award, self-reporting, and anonymous reporting.
To contact the Race and Equality ISVA service, speak to Angela Foster-Mason via:
Telephone: 0121 643 0301 and select option 2
Email: isva@rsvporg.co.uk