Make a referral

Important Information – Please Read Before Completing the Referral Form

Counselling Service

We Accept Referrals for Individuals Who Are:

  • Adults (18 or over)

  • Living in Wirral, Sefton, or Liverpool
  • Registered with a GP in Merseyside
  • Affected by any form of sexual violence, including harassment – whether recent or historic

We Cannot Accept Referrals for Individuals Who:

  • Do not meet the eligibility criteria above
  • Are currently experiencing a mental health crisis
  • Are actively suicidal or have attempted suicide within the last 3 months
  • Have experienced psychosis in the last 12 months or have a diagnosed psychotic condition
  • Are currently an inpatient under Primary Care Mental Health services
  • Have had multiple admissions or discharges from psychiatric hospitals in the past 12 months
  • Are currently dependent on illegal drugs or alcohol
    •  We may consider referrals if the person has been in recovery for at least 6 months, or is actively engaged with a recognised drug/alcohol support service
  • Are not primarily seeking support for sexual violence (e.g. those currently struggling with bereavement or terminal illness, other types of traumas)
  • Are under investigation for, or convicted of, rape or sexual assault.
  • Have completed counselling with us within the last 6 months. A 6-month waiting period is required before re-referral.

ISVA Service

Who We Can Support. We accept referrals for individuals who are:

  • Aged 18 or over (For support for those under 18, please visit our Children’s Services )
  • Living in Wirral, Sefton, or Liverpool
  • Survivors of any form of sexual violence, including harassment — whether recent or historic 

We Are Unable to Accept Referrals for Individuals who:

  • Do not meet the above eligibility criteria
  • Are in current mental health crisis
  • Are actively suicidal or have made a suicide attempt within the past 3 months
  • Have recently experienced psychosis (within the last 12 months
  • Are currently an inpatient under primary mental health care
  • Have been admitted/discharged multiple times from psychiatric hospitals in the past 12 months
  • Are not seeking support for sexual violence recovery as their main issue (e.g. bereavement, terminal illness, etc.)
  • Are under investigation for or convicted of sexual violence or assault. RASA does not support perpetrators.
  • Are being referred again within 8 weeks of case closure due to non-engagement. In such cases, only self-referrals from the client will be considered.

Children’s Service -The Sunflowers Project

The Sunflowers Project supports children and young people aged 10–17 who have been directly or indirectly impacted by sexual abuse.

Our specialist team offers both therapeutic counselling and CHISVA (Children’s Independent Sexual Violence Advisor) support to help children and young people process their experiences, feel heard, and stay safe. For children under 10, we offer support through online courses and direct work with the main caregiver.

We Accept Referrals for Individuals Who Are:

  • Adults (18 or under)
  • Living in Wirral, Sefton, or Liverpool
  • Registered with a GP in Merseyside
  • Affected by any form of sexual violence, including harassment – whether recent or historic

We Cannot Accept Referrals for Individuals Who:

  • Do not meet the eligibility criteria above
  • Are currently experiencing a mental health crisis
  • Are actively suicidal or have attempted suicide within the last 3 months
  • Have experienced psychosis in the last 12 months or have a diagnosed psychotic condition
  • Are currently an inpatient under Primary Care Mental Health services
  • Have had multiple admissions or discharges from psychiatric hospitals in the past 12 months
  • Are currently dependent on illegal drugs or alcohol
    •  We may consider referrals if the person has been in recovery for at least 6 months, or is actively engaged with a recognised drug/alcohol support service
  • Are not primarily seeking support for sexual violence (e.g. those currently struggling with bereavement or terminal illness, other types of traumas)
  • Are under investigation for, or convicted of, rape or sexual assault.  Please refer to:
  • May pose a risk to themselves or others
  • For counselling, a 3-month waiting period is required before re-referral.
  • Free from current or ongoing exploitation
  • Absence of ongoing family court proceedings where disclosures of sexual abuse have been made against the parent.
  • Access to at least one individual, such as an adult family member or a professional, to promote stability outside of sessions.

RASA Merseyside is committed to safeguarding and expect professionals to have made all necessary safeguarding enquires prior to a referral to RASA.  Referrals will not be accepted without this information. 

  • RASA Merseyside will contact social care, or other relevant agencies, regarding any referral for children and young people under 18 as necessary.
  • RASA Merseyside is a voluntary organisation with limited resources. To ensure we can provide adequate support, we ask that referrals are made appropriately. Inappropriate referrals put additional strain on our service and may delay support for others.
  • Please consider whether RASA is the most suitable service for your needs before making a referral by reviewing the referral criteria under the ‘Services’ section.

PROFESSIONALS Referral Form For 18+  SELF Referral Form 16+ Referral Form For Under 18’S (For Use By Parents/ Caregivers/ Professionals) RASA Information Leaflet

We cannot accept any referrals from an agency or third party without the client consenting to the referral being made.