Covid-19 - what are we doing?

We know that this is a worrying time for everyone at the moment as we all try to deal with the ever-changing situation, and try to stay up to date with current health advice around self-isolation and social distancing.

We also know that the government’s advice on self or household-isolation will have a direct impact on women and children experiencing domestic abuse. Home is not likely to be a safe place for survivors of domestic abuse and we are concerned that social distancing and self-isolation will be used as a tool of coercive and controlling behaviour by perpetrators, and will shut down routes to safety and support.

As part of our commitment to individuals experiencing domestic abuse and their families who are worried about them - we’re doing our very best to make sure that we are always available to respond and help. Your safety and wellbeing is of paramount importance to us and we are prioritising our services in relation to safety and support above everything else.

The way we offer our support might look a little different at the moment as we work to keep our staff well & healthy so that they can continue providing services.

We have taken the following decisions with everyone’s safety and wellbeing in mind:

We have paused our group-work (Freedom programmes & Healthy Relationships groups) for the foreseeable future until the government guidance changes to support the reintroduction of gatherings and the removal social distancing.
In discussion with our partner agencies we have taken our staff out of community locations for the foreseeable future until government guidance changes.
We are offering telephone support to our clients, focusing on safety and support.
Our Refuges remain open and taking referrals for any vacancies we may have.

We know from speaking to some women, that accessing support online or via text can be a safer or preferred option rather than calling for support if they are not able to leave the household, as the perpetrator could overhear them on the phone. Our practitioners are aware of this and are working with our current clients right now to ensure that our methods of contact are safe and don’t put them at any additional risk.

Staying connected matters, now as much as it ever has and we believe that we all can play a part in helping each other get through this. If you can be there for each other, we encourage you to go for it… better to help too much than not enough. And a bit of advice that we feel is never a bad idea: Reach out often to those you love and let them know you care.

Just like you, our ways of life are changing every day, and we are working hard to adapt in the best interests of the people we support and our employees. We’re in this together, we are as committed as ever, and will do everything in our power to take care of one another.

If you, or someone you know, are experiencing abuse, please visit our support page, where you can access advice, guidance and find information about how to make a referral for services.

In an emergency, call 999.

Latest

What our partner agencies and clients tell us

I could talk and talk about our service indefinitely I guess because I want you to feel comfortable I want you to feel that you can trust us with your own individual story, but now it is time for you to hear a bit less from me and a bit more from people who have used our service, and what other agencies may tell you about our service
Jargon buster - let us explain as much as we can for you!

My point to you all today is to continue to ensure you that as IDVA’s we can help and we will help with all sorts of issues that matter to you, simple and not so simple. We may not always have the solution right away, but we will help you get there, we will help you see the wood for the trees, to see that there can be a light at the end of that tunnel and you will then understand why all of a sudden you have so many people wanting to talk to you.
My first few weeks with next chapter IDVA service

I have found that some clients tend to play the abuse down if it hasn’t got physical, but what a lot of people don’t realise is, any type of abuse can have the same effect on one person, sometimes even worse. For example, emotional abuse can have just as much affect on one person as physical abuse can. The bruises and scars that are not visible from psychological, emotional and coercive abuse take a long time to heal. All domestic abuse is a crime and no one should have to live in fear.
IDVA’s in lockdown

The IDVA team understands the impact lockdown has had and the additional difficulties, this has for our victims/survivors of domestic abuse for we all continue to break down these barriers and continue to be innovative in how we offer our support.

Domestic Violence Lockdown Appeal

Lockdown increases the opportunities that abusers can coerce or abuse women and children.
Our Services

We work with survivors of domestic abuse to help them make choices to reclaim their lives and begin their next chapter.
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Our approach

We continually innovate to offer high quality services to support people affected by domestic abuse and create lasting change.
Volunteer for us

Our volunteers bring invaluable experience and enthusiasm to our organisation, and help to strengthen our links to the communities we serve.
Partnerships and memberships

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Funders

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Our journey

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Mission, Vision & Values

Find out what gets us up every morning and keeps us delivering the very best advice & support that we can, each & every time.
Our history

How to move forward from loss and grief

These are all perfectly natural feelings and reactions to loss and grief and some may even compare it to a bereavement. Even if you don’t feel that way at all you may have been left feeling empty and confused or angry. We might constantly be bargaining with ourselves still or find that depression has taken over. We all deal with loss in our own individual ways and this is what makes each of us so unique. This is perfectly normal too.
How does domestic abuse differ in other cultures?

The actions of individuals are influenced by the norms, values, language, and other cultural factors that are like the dust in the air that surrounds everyone. These cultural factors are ingrained in us from the day we are born, and can play a role in either ending or perpetuating domestic abuse.
Special Place in the Home

So, you survived Monday! Well done. One of the things that I am really missing is seeing my friends and family – we know that ‘being connected’ is really important for our mental health and emotional wellbeing. Having close positive relationships gives us a purpose and a sense of belonging. During this lockdown many of the ways we are usually connected to people – friends, family, work colleagues, school chums – have changed beyond all recognition.
The Role of an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor

So, imagine for a moment that you’ve summoned up the courage to finally leave, you’re feeling vulnerable and afraid and understandably really nervous about what the future might hold –you have to try and find your way through all that…. that's if you even knew half of it existed in the first place or where and how to start to getting in touch with them… So that's where we IDVA’S come in.
Safety begins at home.....?

We know from speaking to our clients, that the lockdown has meant that some perpetrators may not be able to feed their addictions, or they may be over feeding their addictions due to boredom or frustration and this in turn will be affecting their mental health. There is so much research about the dangerous cocktail of this ‘toxic trio’ (the combination of domestic abuse, substance misuse and mental health issues) as it leads to emotions being intensified which in turn drives behaviours.
Covid-19 - what are we doing?

As part of our commitment to individuals experiencing domestic abuse and their families who are worried about them - we’re doing our very best to make sure that we are always available to respond and help. Your safety and wellbeing is of paramount importance to us and we are prioritising our services in relation to safety and support above everything else.
Help in an emergency

What to do in an emergency. If you think that you are in immediate danger then you need to call 999 for the police.
IDVA’s in lockdown

The IDVA team understands the impact lockdown has had and the additional difficulties, this has for our victims/survivors of domestic abuse for we all continue to break down these barriers and continue to be innovative in how we offer our support.
Mask fitted, safety card is located in the seat in front of you

Last week we focused on our own psychological safety (routine so important here) and helping our children to feel emotionally safe – but what about being physically safe? For many children living in a household with domestic abuse, school provided the routine and much-needed respite. With schools closed and communities ‘shut down’, how can we help ourselves and our children to stay safe when violence erupts.
Professional referrals

Use this full referral form to access services