A team of specially-trained advisors are helping police in the North East to show the red card to domestic violence during the ongoing Euros.
Twelve independent Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVAs) are being deployed in the region alongside frontline officers during the European football championships, in Germany.
More than a week into the month-long tournament and Operation Flagship, a national operation to tackle domestic abuse during the competition, is well up and running.
The operation’s activity has two main threads, in protecting vulnerable victims and targeting perpetrators.
Among the 12-strong team is IDVA ‘Chloe’, whose aim is to support those who have experienced any form of domestic abuse by bridging the gap between survivors and supporting or enforcement agencies.
(Image: Northumbria Police)
IDVAs work in a completely victim-led and victim-focused way, providing practical support and advice to reduce the risk posed by a perpetrator.
During the Euros, and as part of Operation Flagship, Chloe and other advisors in the region are being paired up with response officers to form ‘IDVA cars’, from where they will be able to be present at domestic abuse-related call outs, enabling them to offer immediate and effective advice.
This will include providing direct support to victims and addressing any safeguarding concerns in real-time.
(Image: Northumbria Police)
Speaking about the role, 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 rapport 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 as openly as possible about what help we can offer you, completely independent from police.
“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 force 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.”
(Image: The Northern Echo)
Officers have praised the input offered by the IDVAs in allowing for a more in-depth initial service, feeding back that victims have reported feeling ‘reassured’ and ‘satisfied’ with the police response.
Operation Flagship is being led by Northumbria Police’s Domestic Abuse Lead, Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Seymour, and her colleagues in the force’s Safeguarding Department.
Insp Seymour said: “Chloe’s work, and that of the IDVAs across the North East, is vitally important in offering much-needed support to anyone who has experienced any form of domestic abuse.
“To anyone who is in two minds about reporting domestic abuse, please know we’re here for you and we’re ready to give you the support you need. Report to us today.”
Anyone who is a victim of abuse can contact police using the ‘Report’ pages of the force’s website or by calling 101.
Anyone who is in immediate danger should always call 999.
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Further support and advice is available through the National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247.
Anyone worried they are on the wrong path and wanting support relating to their behaviour can contact the Respect helpline, via www.respect.org, or by ringing 0808-802 4040.
Clare’s Law domestic violence disclosure requests, to check potential perpetrator’s criminal history, can be made via the force’s website.