IDVA
The Buckinghamshire IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advisor) service is a countywide service hosted by Aylesbury Women’s Aid who cover Aylesbury Vale and The Chilterns, and Wycombe Women’s Aid who cover Wycombe and South Bucks. The service provides confidential support and information to people living in Buckinghamshire who have been referred to the MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference) because another agency considers her to be high to medium risk of harm because of domestic violence.
The MARAC is made up of a group of representatives from different agencies i.e. Social Care, Police, Probation who work towards making you and any children you have safe.
An IDVA can work with you to ensure that your views are heard by the other agencies and organisations.
We provide:
- Someone to discuss your options with you; to improve your safety and that of your children.
- Someone to listen.
- Information so that you can make your own choices.
- Safety Planning
- Advocacy and support to visit solicitors, housing, benefits agency, Social Care or other meetings if appropriate.
- Support to prosecute your abuser.
- Support to obtain civil orders.
- Referrals to appropriate agencies.
- Access to Refuge accommodation.
- Workers who can speak Urdu, Punjabi, Pahari, Hindi and French should you need them.
An IDVA will work with you until your risk level has gone down and your situation is no longer discussed at the MARAC. The maximum time limit for IDVA support is 9 weeks. If further support is required after 9 weeks, you will be referred to our Outreach service.
The IDVA service is available to all people regardless of age, class, ethnic origin, disability, sexuality, nationality, religion or cultural beliefs. Also people with or without children.
The IDVA service is available on:
Monday to Friday 9.30 am – 5.00 pm
Late appointments on request.
Contact 01296 437777 or email enquiries.awaid@outlook.com
It's made a huge difference. It helped me to have the courage to apply for non-molestation and occupation orders.
Knowing there is positive, professional, compassionate support is life changing. I feel safe and able to make positive choices about mine and my son's future.
I feel more confident knowing my rights, and have been given useful information to put into action that have made me feel safer.
MYTH
It's just the odd domestic tiff
ALL
couples have them
Violence by a man against the woman he lives with commonly includes rape, punching or hitting her, pulling her hair out, threatening her with a gun or a knife or even trying to kill her. Often women who have been abused will say that the violence is not the worst of their experience - it's the emotional abuse that goes with it
Emotional abuse can include controlling the woman, possibly depriving her of money, clothes, food or sleep. He may try to isolate her from her friends, family and support networks, not letting her use the telephone or may even lock her in the house. Constant criticism is common - constantly telling her she is ugly, stupid or useless.
There is no place for physical, sexual or emotional abuse in a healthy relationship
