Latest News
24th November 2009
Safety in Numbers: a multi-site evaluation of Independent Domestic Violence Advisor Services has been published. The study is the first large scale, multi-site evaluation of IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advisor) services across England and Wales.
Over two years, the study followed 2,500 women across seven sites in England and Wales who were suffering from severe, high risk physical, emotional and sexual abuse as well as stalking and harassment. It found that this abuse stopped completely in two-thirds of cases where there was intensive support from an IDVA service, and for those where abuse continued, levels were considerably reduced. IDVAs act as the main interface between victims and the main agencies involved in keeping them safe (eg police, courts, children's services, health services).
Recommendations from the report include increasing the number of IDVAs nationally. Currently there are less than half the 1,200 to 1,500 needed to achieve national coverage.
The cost of providing an IDVA for a high risk victim of domestic abuse per successful outcome (ie where all forms of abuse cease) is less than £1,000.
The study was commissioned by The Hestia Fund with support from The Henry Smith Charity and The Sigrid Rausing Trust. Its authors are Dr Emma Howarth and Louise Stimpson MRes with input from Diana Barran BA and an expert panel that included Dr Amanda Robinson.
The report, summary and key findings are available to download in PDF format by clicking on the links below:
Safety in Numbers: the full report (162 pages) 1.1MB PDF
Safety in Numbers: executive summary and recommendations (16 pages) 116KB PDF
Safety in Numbers: a summary of the four key findings (2 pages) 50KB PDF