Young Person’s Independent Domestic Violence Adviser Service (YPDVA)

Your Young Person’s IDVA can support you emotionally and practically.

We will work alongside you, helping you understand your options and supporting you to stay safer.

Support can include:

• Safety planning 
• Risk assessment and risk management 
• Emotional support and regular contact 
• Support with police and criminal justice processes 
• Court support and special measures 
• Advice around civil orders and legal options 
• Support with housing and refuge referrals 
• Advocacy with schools, colleges and other agencies 
• Help accessing specialist services where needed 

We also support you through the MARAC process and make sure your thoughts, feelings and wishes are represented.

MARAC stands for Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference.

It is a meeting where professionals from different organisations work together to help increase safety for people experiencing high-risk domestic abuse.

This can include police, health services, housing, social care and specialist domestic abuse services.

Your Young Person’s IDVA will attend the meeting on your behalf, share your views and keep you updated about safety plans and actions agreed.

No.

Our service is confidential and we will discuss safe ways to contact you before making any communication.

Your worker can agree code words or safe contact arrangements with you if needed, so you can let us know if it is not safe to talk.

Your safety and confidentiality are very important to us.

Clare’s Law is a police disclosure scheme that allows information about someone’s history of abusive behaviour to be shared where it may help protect a person at risk.

There are two parts to the scheme:

Right to Ask

A person can ask police whether a current or former partner has a history of domestic abuse or violence.

Right to Know

Police can choose to share information if they believe someone may be at risk of harm.

Your IDVA can support you to understand the process and help you make an application if appropriate.

There are different legal protections that may help increase your safety.

Restraining Order

A restraining order is usually made through the criminal courts and can stop someone from contacting you or attending your home, workplace or other locations.

Breaching a restraining order is a criminal offence.

Non-Molestation Order

A non-molestation order is a civil court order that can protect you from threats, intimidation or harassment from a partner, ex-partner or family member.

Breaching the order is a criminal offence and police can arrest the person if it is broken.

Occupation Order

An occupation order can decide who is allowed to live in the family home and who can be excluded from the property or surrounding area.

Your IDVA can help you understand these options and support you to access legal advice where appropriate.

No.

You do not have to report abuse to the police to receive support from our service.

We will listen to you, explain your options and support you to make informed decisions at your own pace.

Some people want police involvement and others do not. Our role is not to pressure you, but to help increase your safety and support you in the way that feels right for you.

Yes.

We understand that relationships can be complicated and leaving is not always possible or something you want right now.

You can still receive support, safety planning and advice even if you decide to stay in the relationship.

We will continue to work with you without judgement and help you explore your options safely.

We can help you explore housing and refuge options if you do not feel safe at home.

This may include referrals to specialist accommodation services, support with emergency housing and advocacy with housing providers.

We understand how frightening housing uncertainty can feel and we will support you through the process.