Services For People Who Experience Racism (PWER)
Our specialist service ensures we are able to provide compassionate and inclusive support to survivors.
At Survivors’ network, we believe, we listen, and we support survivors of sexual violence and abuse across Sussex. Guided by our intersectional feminist principles we provide inclusive and compassionate support to survivors of all ages, genders, races, religions, backgrounds, and abilities.
We recognise that people from non-white communities experience additional barriers to accessing support, and we have been mindful to address and try and break down these barriers. We will always work to ensure your voice is heard and we are completely independent from police and any other agencies.
Our PWER ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor)
Our PWER ISVA provides free information and support to people who experience racism and who have also had an unwanted sexual experience, either recently or in the past.
This service is run by a person of colour, for people of colour. It is open to people of all genders aged 18+ years, who live in Brighton and Hove or East Sussex.
This service is confidential and independent from the police or any other agencies, and is open to survivors regardless of whether they want to report their experiences to the police.
We offer face-to-face, telephone, text and email support. We are also able to provide an interpreter for those whose first language is not English.
What our PWER ISVA can help with:
- Accessing counselling and emotional support.
- Liaising with other agencies, such as Housing, Mental Health and Social Services.
- Providing specialist support throughout the criminal justice process (should you choose to report your experiences to the police).
To access this service, please complete our online self-referral form, and specify your interest in the PWER ISVA service in the additional notes section.
Our Helpline & Email Service offers open-ended emotional support and signposting to other support services. It is not a therapeutic service, but we will listen to, believe, and support you. This service is run by our team of fully trained, self-identified women volunteers. This Service is open to people of any gender aged 14+ years.
Mondays from 7-9 pm and Wednesdays from 12-1.30 pm
Call us on 01273 720 110 or email us at help@survivorsnetwork.org.uk.
If you are looking for help outside of our helpline hours try the national 24/7 helpline, Call Rape Crisis England & Wales on 0808 500 222 or visit their website to access their live chat.