Victim Support NI announced “with regret” that its independent sexual violence advocate (ISVA) service would close on 31 August 2021.

The Department of Justice and the PSNI are shortly set to launch a new advocacy service called Assist NI, delivered by a new service provider, which will support qualifying victims of domestic and sexual abuse, including children, across Northern Ireland.

Victim Support NI established its ISVA service in 2016 with initial funding from Comic Relief. It went on to form working partnerships with the PSNI, The Rowan SARC, NEXUS, Women’s Aid, MAP, The Rainbow Project NI and other agencies who work with victims of sexual crime.

In a statement, the charity said: “The ISVA service was a groundbreaking step forward in provision of appropriate care for victims of this heinous crime in Northern Ireland.

“The opportunity to deliver this essential support to victims was a humbling experience as we shared in our clients’ journeys through the criminal justice system.

“We know, from the feedback we received from clients, that their trauma was somewhat ameliorated and reduced by our ISVAs’ support, and that we were able to help in the recovery process.

“We were privileged to work with almost 1,700 clients over the years.  They are all survivors and we commend them for their strength and tenacity in their pursuit of justice.”

Existing clients of the service have been informed and have been moved to the care of Assist NI with their consent.

Other Victim Support NI services will continue to operate as normal, including its recently-launched sexual offences legal advisers (SOLAs) scheme, which offers victims of serious sexual assault free and independent legal advice and support up to the commencement of the trial.

The charity said: “We remain committed to our work of advancing the rights of all victims of crime and the support available to them. We wish Assist NI well with the provision of the new advocacy service.”