21/06/2024
👋 Meet Chloe – one of 12 Independent Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVAs) who will be deployed with frontline officers during the European Championships.
The activity has two main threads: protecting vulnerable victims and targeting perpetrators.
During the Euros, and as part of Operation Flagship, Chloe and other IDVAs in the region will be paired up with response officers to form ‘IDVA cars’ where they’ll be able to be present at domestic abuse-related callouts, and able to offer immediate and effective advice.
This will include providing direct support to victims and addressing any safeguarding concerns in real time.
🗣️ Chloe said: “As IDVAs, we really benefit from having those face-to-face interactions with clients. When we’re able to speak with people in person, we can gauge emotions better, read body language, and build that report so we can tailor our approach appropriately.
“We also find we get a better uptake on our services when we have that in-person approach, even if this doesn’t mean engaging with us initially. After a day or so, or a good night’s sleep, people sometimes change their mind so we always follow-up to ask if they’re ready for our support.
“We want to be as approachable as possible so we don’t wear uniforms and we’re here to speak to as openly as possible about what help we can offer you, completely independent from police.”
💙 Chloe continued: “IDVAs going out with officers means we can catch people in the moment of what’s just happened and talk about what we can offer – carrying that support on immediately without the need to wait for any referrals.
“I feel really privileged to be part of this experience and being able to get to the front-line in offering those immediate acts of support, safety advice and signposting to whatever service is most appropriate for them.
“The IDVAs across the Northumbria area have a wealth of experience and really care about making that difference to peoples’ lives – which is ultimately what we’re here to do.”
Officers have praised the facility offered by the IDVAs which allows for a more in-depth initial service, feeding back that victims have reported feeling ‘reassured’ and ‘satisfied’ with the police response.
