Comments

Copyright 2010 Radcliffe Publishing.

Copyright 2010 Radcliffe Publishing. This is a pre-copy-editing, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in Diversity in Health and Care Diversity in Health and Care, following peer review. The definitive version Madoc-Jones, I. and Roscoe, K. (2011) ‘Independent domestic violence advocates: perceptions of service users’. Diversity in Health and Care, 8(1), 9-17(9) is available online at: http://bit.ly/NL9V4K

Abstract

This paper draws on the findings of a qualitative evaluation that examines user perceptions of the services provided by an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) to victims of domestic violence in one rural local authority area in the UK. Service users described being reluctant to report experiences of domestic violence but, having done

so, finding the involvement of the IDVA invaluable in being able to provide them with the independent advice, information and emotional support that they would not otherwise have received. Although in general they were positive about IDVAs, users could also identify problems due to the telephone-based nature of the advocacy that was offered and the duplication of services that sometimes occurred. This paper argues that an IDVA provides an important service to victims of domestic violence, which is likely to be particularly valuable in rural locations. However, the terms of reference for the role need be reviewed in order to maximise the contribution that IDVAs can make.

Disciplines

Criminology and Criminal Justice | Social and Behavioral Sciences | Social Work

Recommended Citation

Madoc-Jones, I. and Roscoe, K. (2011) ‘Independent domestic violence advocates: perceptions of service users’. Diversity in Health and Care, 8(1), 9-17(9)