What is an IDVA?
Anna Friel – Abuse
An IDVA is an accredited Independent Domestic Violence Advisor who offers you support.
If you are going to court as a witness or victim of domestic violence you can request free support from your local IDVA worker at HARV.The IDVA is the key point of contact for you as a survivor of domestic abuse throughout the court process and longer term can refer you to another support service.
The IDVA is there for you. Court procedures can be very confusing; if you’re not sure about any of the process, just ask.
We provide advice and information about options to improve your safety and that of your children.
We act on your behalf exploring your options through the civil and or criminal courts system.
The service is independent of the police and other statutory agencies.
Court Process
The specialist domestic violence court will be held at Blackburn Magistrates court on Thursday each week, where dedicated prosecutors and specially trained magistrates will deal with your case.
Going to court as a witness or as a victim of a crime can be a worrying experience especially if it is your first time and if you are unsure about what to expect.
Especially if the defendant is someone you are or have been in a relationship with.
The IDVA can liaise with the witness service to arrange a pre court visit for you where you can have a look around a courtroom and familiarise yourself with what to expect on the day you are called to give evidence
If necessary the IDVA can request that special measures, screens etc are available for you on the hearing day.
HARV have workers that speak both Urdu and Punjabi. For information or a confidential chat please call 01254 879855. Download info in Urdu/ Punjabi
What will an IDVA do for my Children?
As a survivor of domestic violence living in Hyndburn and Ribble Valley the IDVA can refer your children to HARVs Children and Young Peoples service who provide specific support . Your children would be able to access.
Free play schemes throughout the school holidays for under 11s
Free weekly positive activities, youth groups and residentials for 11 -18 yrs old
One to one support or counselling in school or at a centre
Family support
YIDVA – specialist Young Peoples IDVA worker( Provide link to Safeguarding service on Children’s page)
What does an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor do?
The main purpose of independent domestic violence advisors (IDVA) is to address the safety of victims at high risk of harm from intimate partners, ex-partners or family members to secure their safety and the safety of their children. Serving as a victim’s primary point of contact, IDVAs normally work with their clients from the point of crisis to assess the level of risk, discuss the range of suitable options and develop safety plans.
We are pro-active in implementing the plans, which address immediate safety, including practical steps to protect themselves and their children, as well as longer-term solutions. These plans will include actions from the MARAC (see below) as well as sanctions and remedies available through the criminal and civil courts, housing options and services available through other organisations. IDVAs support and work over the short- to medium-term to put victims on the path to long-term safety. We have received specialist accredited training and hold a nationally recognised qualification.
Since they work with the highest risk cases, IDVAs are most effective as part of an IDVA service and within a multi-agency framework. The IDVA’s role in all multi-agency settings is to keep the client’s perspective and safety at the centre of proceedings.
Studies have shown that when high risk clients engage with an IDVA, there are clear and measurable improvements in safety, including a reduction in the escalation and severity of abuse and a reduction or even cessation in repeat incidents of abuse.
At HARV we will ask a serious of questions that will enable us to determine what level of risk we think you are. After we have assessed your risk we will refer you to one of our case workers.
If you are assessed as being high risk we will refer your case to a MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference).
What is a MARAC?
The main aim of the MARAC is to reduce the risk of serious harm and to increase the safety, health and well being of victims of domestic violence.
In a MARAC local agencies will meet to discuss the highest risk victims and develop a safety plan around the victim.
Information about the risk faced by those victims, the actions needed to ensure safety, the resources available locally will be shared to create a risk management plan involving all agencies.
Services you may also want to contact in Lancashire.
Support Lancashire wide
Lancashire Refuges offer a wide level of immediate support in safe accommodation to victims of domestic abuse with a single point of access to accept referrals from across Lancashire.
Lancashire Victims Services Tel: 0300 323 0085 (9am – 6pm) Email: info@lancashirevictimservices.org – Live chat.
Burnley
Safenet 0300 3033581 – live chat – and you can email: contact@safenet.org.uk.
Pendle and Rossendale
Be Free Helpline 01282 726000 (Be Free; formerly known as Pendle Domestic Violence Initiative) Live chat. You can also contact them via email: befree@p-a-c.org.uk
Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
HARV 01254 879855 – or email: info@harvoutreach.org.uk
Blackburn with Darwen
The Wish Centre – Live Chat Between 10am – 12 noon and 2pm – 4pm each weekday via The Wish Centre website. or you can call 01254 260465 and email: info@thewishcentre.org.
Lancaster
Safenet 0300 3033581 – Live Chat – and you can email: contact@safenet.org.uk.
Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
Fylde Coast Women’s Aid – Call FCWA helpline 01253 596699, email info@fcwa.co.uk or visit Fylde Coast Women’s Aid website . FCWA have a male IDVA to specifically support male victims of domestic abuse.
Preston
Safenet 0300 3033581 – Live Chat – visit the Safenet homepage and you can email: contact@safenet.org.uk .
Preston Domestic Violence Services: Helpline 01772 201601 or visit visit Preston Domestic Violence Services or email hope@pdvs.org.uk
Chorley & South Ribble
Key Charity – Domestic abuse helpline to speak to an advisor in confidence call 01772 435865, the line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
West Lancashire
The Liberty Centre– 24-hour helpline: 0808 100 3062 emails: liberty@thelibertycentre.org.uk or visit visit The Liberty Centre. The Liberty Centre have a male IDVA to specifically support male victims of domestic abuse.
Support for young people in Lancashire
All the above services can offer help and advice to young people.
Visit our Youth Zone website for Helpline, Live Chat and 1-1 support.
National helplines and support including support for LGBT+ and male victims of domestic abuse
- 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247
- Loving Me: on-line support & advocacy for Trans and Non-Binary Domestic abuse victims Call/text 07902 478958 or email help@lovingme.uk
- National stalking service: Paladin- helpline and support – Call 0203 8664107 or email info@paladinservice.co.uk
- Mankind – Male victims of domestic abuse – Please call 01823 334244 to speak to us confidentially Weekdays 10-4pm.
- Men experiencing domestic violence can contact the Men’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0327.
- Galop – LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline 0800 999 5428 – help@galop.org.uk also see website for live chat and further help and support.
Help, advice and support for those who are concerned about their own behaviour or that of others
The Wish Centre run various behaviour change programmes to support individuals across Lancashire to consider the impact of their behaviour on their loved ones to enable positive change, all in a non-judgemental way. Contact The Wish Centre on 01254 260465 or visit.
