Independent Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocate

The Alessia Project is a commissioned independent service based in Newham, supporting individuals aged 16+ who sell sex and/or experience sexual exploitation. Working within a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and person-centred framework, the service empowers individuals to make informed choices about their lives while accessing tailored support. Through strong multi-agency partnerships, service users are supported with a range of needs including housing, finances, health, emotional wellbeing, therapy, and safeguarding. The project prioritises autonomy and empowerment, while recognising and responding to the vulnerabilities, risks, and exploitation that can be associated with survival sex work.

As an Independent Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocate (IDSVA), the role involves providing specialist advocacy and high-quality support to sex workers and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. Key responsibilities include conducting risk assessments and safety planning, managing a caseload of high-risk clients, representing victims at MARAC, making safeguarding referrals, delivering outreach and drop-in support, and working collaboratively with police, health, housing, and community organisations. Using a strengths-based and harm-reduction approach, the IDSVA supports individuals to increase their safety, confidence, independence, and overall quality of life while ensuring their voice remains central to all aspects of support and decision-making.

The role requires experience of supporting individuals involved in both on-street and off-street sex work, alongside a strong understanding of the barriers they may face when accessing services. Candidates should have experience of providing practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and other forms of gender-based violence, using a trauma-informed and person-centred approach. A thorough understanding of risk assessment, safety planning, safeguarding, and the impact of trauma is essential, as is the ability to effectively support individuals with complex and multiple needs.

The successful candidate will possess excellent communication, record-keeping, administrative, and time management skills, with experience of managing a caseload and maintaining accurate case records. They will be confident working within multi-agency environments, building strong partnerships with statutory and voluntary sector agencies, and contributing to processes such as MARAC. A sound knowledge of housing law, welfare benefits, legal remedies available to survivors, safeguarding legislation, and the legal framework surrounding sex work is highly desirable. Above all, the role requires someone who can build trusting, non-judgemental relationships, empower service users to achieve their goals, remain calm under pressure, and demonstrate a commitment to collaboration, service user involvement, and continuous professional development.

This is a floating support role that requires travel across the Borough Newham to our community hubs