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Domestic and Sexual Violence

Advocacy Service

What is the Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocacy Service

The Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocacy Service has three key roles:

• To provide a premier service to all survivors assessed at high risk of harm due to domestic violence, by providing safety planning, practical support and advocacy

• To provide support to survivors from Black and Minority Ethnic communities, heterosexual male survivors and survivors from lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

• To provide advice to professionals on how to deal with survivors disclosing domestic violence, risk assessment, safety planning, next steps and appropriate referral agencies

Who is it for?

Women and men at high risk of domestic violence living in Islington. The service for women is delivered at SWA’s Outreach office – Islington.  The men’s service is delivered in partnership with Islington Victim Support. 

Who are the workers?

The service has one full time service manager, two generic female advocates, two specialist female advocates (one Somali speaker and one Turkish speaker) and a part time generic male advocate. 

What kind of support?

The IDVAS can offer support, advice, information and assistance to you in relation to managing and reducing your risk, safety panning and exploring options including housing, welfare benefits, criminal and civil legal options.

In addition to the direct work with service users, the IDVAS also acts as a resource for Islington based organisations, working with or coming across domestic violence as an element of their overall work, offering information and guidance on responding appropriately to disclosure of domestic violence. 

The Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) is a multi-agency forum for sharing information and action planning for domestic violence survivors where there is a high risk to the survivor of further assault or harm. The IDVAS and the MARAC are the lead agencies in Islington responsible for co-ordinating services to enhance the safety of women and men at high risk of domestic violence and their children.  The IDVAS represent your interests as a survivor at the MARAC. 

How can I get support?

The IDVAS does not accept self referrals.  Referrals to the IDVAS come from statutory (health, housing, police) or voluntary agencies.

If you are not in touch with any agencies and you are:

• A woman you can call our Advice Line on 0808 802 5565
• A man you can call Islington Victim Support on 020 7700 6014

For further information or to make a referral,

phone : 020 7281 9284

email: advocacy@solacewomensaid.org