Safety in Numbers The Haven Wolverhampton takes part in a 2 year study of Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) services across England and Wales with groundbreaking results. “We need the political courage to co-ordinate a proper system of protection for children at risk of Domestic Violence, instead of haemorrhaging public money as we ‘mop up’ after the event.” (Diana Barran, CAADA). To read more please click here In November 2009 a groundbreaking report was launched which found that the work of IDVA’s (Independent Domestic Violence Advisors) was and is paramount in helping women affected by the most extreme forms of abuse to become free from violence. The multi-site evaluation of Independent Domestic Violence Advisors produced 5 key findings:
This research articulates specifically that the abuse experienced by victims accessing IDVA services was extremely serious. The large majority of victims (67%) were experiencing at least one form of severe abuse at intake. Severe abuse includes violent behaviour causing injuries, strangulation, rape and other sexual abuse, harrassement and stalking (H&S) and extreme jealous and controlling behaviour (J&C) including threats to harm children. In addition, most victims (86%) were experiencing multiple forms of abuse, underscoring domestic abuse as a pattern of behaviour. The majority of victims were separated from their partners, confirming once again that domestic abuse frequently does not end immediately with separation. Indeed, the research highlighted the additional risks faced by those victims who were currently separating or attempting to do so. 2. The IDVA service has a significant positive impact on safety The outcomes from the IDVA approach found in this research were striking, with 67% of all victims experiencing a complete or near cessation of abuse after receiving IDVA support. This was supported by 76% of victims reporting improved feelings of safety and importantly, less than 1% of victims reported that they felt less safe following support from an IDVA. Finally the research also showed significant improvements in the support and networks of victims and their coping strategies. We feel that these multiple measure of improved safety and well being underline the robustness of these conclusions. 3. Victims are much safer when they receive intensive support ‘Safety in Numbers’ finds that victims receiving intensive support, i.e. 6 or more significant contacts, are much more likely to see abuse cease than those who do not receive such an intense level of support. Given the role of the IDVA, they will also be liaising with other agencies on behalf of the victim in addition to the direct contacts they have. 4.Victims are much safer when multiple services are offered As highlighted above, the outcomes were positive overall, but particularly so when intensity of support and multiple interventions are taken into account. Thus, they way in which IDVA’s work with victims had a direct bearing on the chance of achieving improved safety and well-being. Victims who received intensive support and multiple types of intervention were roughly twice as likely to experience a cessation of abuse compared to those victims receiving less support 5. The impact of the evaluation on IDVA practice As one element of evaluation, IDVA’s were asked to introduce a formal review of the risk in a case at the four month stage, or earlier, if the case had closed. Furthermore, services were asked to carry out follow-up interviews with former clients six months after case closure to see if they were still living free of abuse. The anecdotal feedback from this was overwhelmingly positive. These 5 key findings in turn lead to a number of recommendations: 1. More IDVA’s are needed While the IDVA sector has expanded in capacity over the last 5 years, many services – including some in the study – are facing cutbacks and current capacity is still estimated to be less than half of the 1,200 – 1,500 IDVA’s needed for national coverage. The impact of the IDVA approach on both the adult and child victim of abuse means that there should be proper coverage nationally of IDVA services. It was clear from this study that IDVA’s were obliged to prioritise services for some victims, despite the fact that all cases studied were defined as being at high risk of harm. The cost of providing an IDVA for a high risk victim is approximately £500 and the cost per successful outcome is less than £1000 – however it costs an average of £9,000 to support a victim of domestic abuse when IDVA interventions are not present. The potential savings to government from national IDVA coverage of the type set out in ‘Safety in Numbers’ runs into hundreds of millions of pounds. 2. IDVA services must be commissioned to a framework that keeps safety central This research highlights just how effective an IDVA service can be if properly focused. It shows start differences in outcomes depending on the intensity of the support offered and the choices offered to victims about their safety options. However the range of choices offered to victims to address their safety is critical. By this, it is meant that action relating to safety planning, housing, the family courts, the criminal courts, support which children, substance misuse services and benefits. Therefore IDVA services need to be commissioned. IDVA services also need to have the capacity to offer an intensive level of support – if they do not have the time to offer intensive support, the outcomes for victims and their children will suffer. IDVA services should also be structurally part of a multi-agency response. 3. Urgent links need to be made to address the risk to children Perhaps the most shocking statistic in this report relates to children. There were over 3600 children in this study, a third of whom were aged 0-4 years. Given the length of an average abusive relationship, one can reasonably assume that many of these children have grown up in a household where domestic abuse has occurred since birth. This underlines not only the direct physical threat to children, but also the potential longer term psychological impacts. It is not the role of the IDVA to work directly with children, but rather to help their non-abusing parent to access safety. 4. Stronger links need to be made with health services and those who work with perpetrators The research highlighted that where strong multi-agency links exist, outcomes are much improved for victims. Conversly it showed the general need to be more closely linked with health services and those who work with perpetrators as these links appeared to be less effective. If IDVAs are to be as effective as possible, closer links need to be made with both health agencies and those who work with perpetrators and referral pathways for these high risk cases should be clear and prioritised. This relates to both work within the criminal justice system, the MARAC (where for example mental health and substance misuse services are often under-represented) and more widely in relation to the links made with IDVA services in general. Looking Forward To read the full 'Safety in Numbers' report please visit www.caada.org.uk |
