Metadata
Title
Support for Survivors of Sexual and Domestic Abuse
Category
general
UUID
d4e369480022480090c40ab13507176d
Source URL
https://warwick.ac.uk/services/wss/students/supportforsurvivors-svda/
Parent URL
https://warwick.ac.uk/services/wss/
Crawl Time
2026-03-16T07:27:14+00:00
Rendered Raw Markdown

Support for Survivors of Sexual and Domestic Abuse

Source: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/wss/students/supportforsurvivors-svda/ Parent: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/wss/

The University of Warwick recognises the need for specialist bespoke support to be available for survivors of either recent or historic sexual and/or domestic abuse. Domestic abuse is often also referred to at the university as relationship abuse.

This webpage is designed to provide you with information about where you can get support or guidance about reporting and/or accessing support to cope with your experience. Which support services you access is entirely up to you.

The important thing to remember is that you are not alone and there is help and support available. Support is available both on and off campus and you can access either or both whatever you feel best suits your needs. These services will provide you with all the information you need to make a decision about whether you report or not, please be reassured that you decide the best way forward for you.

If you need urgent medical care or attention, call 999 (or 112 from a mobile) and ask for an ambulance, or go straight to your nearest Accident & Emergency department.

Meet the people who are here to help:

If you have been affected by sexual and/or domestic abuse, either personally or are supporting a friend or family member, we can help you.

There are a range of options and support available to you:

We have a Sexual and Domestic Abuse Adviser who is here to provide specialist practical and emotional support and advise on other services are available to you. This link provides all information that relates to sexual and domestic abuse and external services.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Our Student Health and Wellbeing Team offer non-judgemental, compassionate, and confidential support to all members of the University community. We believe that every individual should be treated with dignity and respect and be part of a working and learning environment that is free from barriers, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex/gender, or sexual orientation.

Confidentiality

Our services within Wellbeing Support Services are confidential which means that the information you share with us is kept securely and will not be shared with any third parties unless you explicitly wish for us to do so. There are some circumstances, in which staff may have to pass on personal information, including if there is a concern of serious risk/harm, or if we are required to do so by law, but we will always discuss this with you and ask for your consent wherever possible. We may at times, in order to best support you, share information about your individual support needs with internal and external parties in order to ensure you are offered appropriate support. We will always ask for your permission to do this. Your information is securely held by Wellbeing and Student Support and will be treated confidentially and appropriately for the purposes of carrying out the ongoing business of Wellbeing Support Services under the terms of the 1998 Data Protection Act and the University’s Data Protection Policy. Records are destroyed following the academic year in which a student finishes their registration with the institution + 6 years. For more information about our confidentiality policy please see https://warwick.ac.uk/services/wss/about/confidentiality

In line with the Wellbeing Strategy 2020-24, the Sexual and Domestic Abuse Adviser (SDAA) at the University of Warwick is a specialist adviser providing confidential, emotional, and practical support to anyone within the Warwick community who has been affected by sexual violence or domestic abuse. The support is provided whether the incident occurred at the University or not and is there to support you to access other available support services. The SDAA service offers emotional support such as

Practical support:
Sexual Violence (SV)

Sexual violence and abuse is defined as any behaviour thought to be of a sexual nature which is unwanted and takes place without consent.

Sexual violence and abuse can be physical, psychological, verbal or online. It can include rape, assault by penetration, childhood sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, sexual assault including groping, unwelcome sexual advances, sexual harassment including catcalling and wolf-whistling, making sexualised comments (including jokes). It also includes posting pornographic material in shared spaces (physical or virtual), sending sexually explicit e-mails, texts or other communications and includes stalking in person or online.

Any behaviour of a sexual nature that causes you distress is considered sexual violence or abuse.

Sexual violence can happen to anyone at any time in their lives regardless of race, sexuality, gender and age.

If you have experienced any form of sexual assault, know that it was not your fault, you did not deserve it and we are here to help you get the right support.

External Services

You can also contact an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor directly, who can support you to report to the police and can further support you through the criminal justice system. ISVA service is available via Safeline, CRASAC or RoSA, see details below:
Domestic Abuse (DA)

Domestic Abuse is defined as any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. The abuse is usually characterised by the misuse of power or exercise of control and can encompass, but is not limited to

Anyone can be subjected to domestic abuse; it is not your fault. These behaviours are unacceptable and if you have experienced any of these forms of abuse, we are here to help you. You are not alone.

External Services

You can contact an Independent Domestic Violence Adviser via Coventry Haven Women’s Aid.
Specific Support and Resources

Sexual and Domestic Abuse can affect anyone irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation or the perception of these characteristics. Here are specific resources for males and other ethnic and minority groups.

External Services
Disclosure and Support

If you have experienced any form of sexual or domestic abuse, it is entirely up to you whether or not you choose to report it to the police or to the University. No-one else can or should make that decision for you.

Dealing with Disclosures
Reporting to the police:
Confidentiality

Disclosures should be kept confidential unless explicit permission has been given to share the information.

There are certain situations where confidentiality cannot be maintained, these include:

Visit the University Safeguarding webpage for further information on confidentiality and safeguarding.

Other Resources

To book an appointment, email wellbeing@warwick.ac.uk

Accommodation support

If your existing accommodation is unsafe, contact the Residential Community Team on 024 7652 4704 or out of hours Community Safety, on 024 7652 2083.

If your studies are affected, we would advise contacting Wellbeing and Student Support, the Students' Union Advice Centre, or your personal tutor to get advice on the options available to you e.g. mitigating circumstances, or taking temporary withdrawal.

Self care following Sexual Assault or Domestic Abuse booklet

"It’s been so great working with you too, have learned a lot and I’m so grateful for all the support you have been giving me! Thank you so much."

Student from WBS