About Us

Introduction

Savana, based in North Staffordshire, is a registered charity providing support for anyone who has experienced or is affected by any form of sexual violence including rape, sexual violence, domestic violence, 'honour' related violence and childhood sexual abuse, whether recently or in the past.

The members of the voluntary Board are Trustees with legal responsibilities in accordance with the Charities Act 2006. Savana are registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the counselling service is accredited which is recognition of the high standard of counselling that the service provides.

Savana believe that sexual violence is 'any sexual behaviour that has a damaging physical or psychological effect upon a person'.

What We Do

• We offer one to one confidential gender specific counselling by appointment.
• We have information about other relevant issues including sexually transmitted infections, family planning and the criminal justice system.
• We will support people to refer themselves to other agencies.
• We offer support to anyone supporting a family member or friend and will support agencies that are working with those who have disclosed sexual violence.
• We house and support the North Staffordshire Independent Sexual Violence Advisor service (ISVA).  Some of this role includes supporting those who want to report their experience of sexual violence to the police or who have already done so. 
• We provide on-going support throughout the criminal justice process and assist in finding the full-range of services that they need and are available locally.

In addition we work to spread understanding and to influence attitudes and opinions relating to sexual violence

• We provide training for agencies and professionals (please see the 'Downloads' page for a list of the courses that we offer).
• We network and work in partnership with other organisations.

Quality assurance

Savana

• Has Investors in People
• Is a BACP member
• Has a BACP Accredited counselling service
• Counsellors have, as a minimum requirement, a Certificate in counselling, be working towards their diploma in counselling and have successfully completed our in-house, nine-session training course.

Many counsellors have also achieved a Diploma in counselling and some have a Masters degree.

All counsellors receive monthly supervision.

All supervisors have relevant counselling experience and qualifications: some have a Certificate in supervision.

We constantly strive to develop the quality standards and monitoring systems of Savana.