Funding for a new role to support victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence within north Cumbria’s hospitals has been secured.
The Health Independent Domestic and Sexual Violence Advisor (IDSVA) will be able to give practical support and advice to victims in hospital who may not have accessed support before.
The role was made possible thanks to a joint funding application by North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Trust, Victim Support and Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioners Office.
Rebecca Maidment, Head of Safeguarding at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, comments:
“We are so pleased to be working together with the PCC office and Victim Support, to improve the offer for people in Cumbria who have experienced domestic abuse or sexual violence.
“There’s a lot of work being undertaken in the Trust to improve our recognition of and support for, people who’ve suffered this kind of trauma. We have recently launched a campaign aimed at highlighting the importance of our staff routinely asking patients ‘how safe do you feel?’
“Most people who don’t feel safe actually want to be asked and those who do feel safe don’t mind being asked.
“This work can only be furthered by having expert IDSVAs on hand to offer their skills, experience, compassion and expert knowledge.”
The Police and Crime Commissioner’s office said:
“Providing support for victims in Cumbria, is a key priority and I am very pleased to see this new initiative get underway. Enabling victims of DA and SV to access support at hospital supporting them at a point when they really need help, is vital.
“This crucial new role will provide direct onsite support for victims who may not have accessed specialist services otherwise.
“Victims will be given help in developing individual safety plans and receive timely emotional and practical support, such as responding to any safeguarding concerns, including both child protection and vulnerable adult issues.
“The IDSVA will also explain and discuss, where appropriate, other ongoing help such as their legal options, housing, finance and how they are available to support them through the criminal justice system.
“Victims need to know that they are not alone, and this dedicated support for victims in crisis situations, adds to the wide variety of support for victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault in Cumbria.”
Sarah Place from Victim Support Cumbria, comments:
“We are really pleased and excited to collaborate with our partners in the NHS, to ensure our offer of support and crisis intervention is more widely available within health settings.
“This new health IDSVA role will be invaluable and will help us to offer our tailored support and safety planning to more victims in Cumbria. Accessing support via a health setting, may be the only opportunity for some of the more isolated and vulnerable victims of domestic and/or sexual abuse, to reach out for support.”
Thanks to the funding boost of £130,000 the PCC has been able to commission Victim Support to work in partnership with North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust and Northeast and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, to provide a dedicated IDSVA over the next three years who will offer proactive crisis intervention, focusing on victims attending A&E, as well as working as part of Victim Support’s wider community based IDSVA team.
If you are affected by abuse support is available at:
Victim Support
Local number 0300 30 30 157
Cumbria.Admin@victimsupport.org.uk
24hr Supportline 08 08 16 89 111
https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/cumbria/
For 24/7 access to our National live chat service follow this link:
https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/help-and-support/get-help/support-near-you/live-chat/
Bridgeway Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)
0808 118 6432 (available 24/7)
Therapeutic services and counselling
Safety Net (North and West Cumbria) helping clients who have experienced rape, exploitation, sexual and domestic abuse. 01228 515859 office@safetynetuk.org
Birchall Trust (South Cumbria) helping clients who have experienced rape, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse 01229820828 enquiries@birchalltrust.org.uk
Victim Directory of support services link: Victim Services Archive - Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner (cumbria-pcc.gov.uk)