Walking a tightrope? Independent sexual violence advisors and their relationship with the police

International research consistently confirms that collaboration between the police and independent sexual violence advisors (ISVAs)/advocates can facilitate much-needed improvements to criminal justice responses and outcomes for victim-survivors in the aftermath of sexual violence. The relationship between ISVAs and the criminal justice system, however, is contentious and evolving. Drawing upon qualitative data from police and ISVA interviews and focus groups, undertaken as part of a large government-funded project in England and Wales, this paper critically examines the police–ISVA relationship. Grounding our analysis within wider debates about collaboration between independent violence against women organisations and the criminal justice system, the findings reveal the complex, gendered and hierarchical nature of the police–ISVA relationship. It is argued that in working critically and collaboratively with the police to improve victim-survivor experiences, ISVAs ‘walk a tightrope’ at individual and institutional levels. To ameliorate these challenges and achieve the best outcomes for victim-survivors, a more meaningful and explicit understanding of ISVA independence from the criminal justice system , rather than just its processes , is urgently required. We offer recommendations for how this can be achieved at symbolic, policy and practice levels.