DASU, OPCC & BCUHB join forces to tackle domestic abuse

DASU, the largest accredited provider of Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) services in North Wales has joined forces with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to launch their IDVA services into Glan Clwyd and Wrexham Maelor hospitals.

Working in collaboration with BCUHB Safeguarding and Public Protection Team and working closely with front line health professionals, this brand-new service will provide support and advice to staff and patients to identify and support those affected by, and living with, Domestic Abuse. On a visit to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd on 29 September, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin met those involved in the initiative and learnt more about the services on offer to victims.

DASU, which receive over 6000 referrals per year – roughly 1 every 15 minutes – believes that this partnership will enable professionals to identify individuals who are living with Domestic Abuse earlier and offer them specialist support to reduce harm.   

The project offers support to health professionals, working within these hospitals, in identifying patients who are victims of domestic abuse and refer directly to the on-site IDVA service. This joint working has been extended into a number of GP surgeries within Denbighshire as part of a new pilot programme called IRIS. Funding for the project has been received from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner as part of the Commissioner’s commitment to tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence in North Wales.  

IRIS – which stands for Identification and Referral to Increase Safety – offers GPs who wish to be partners in the project a programme of training and education, clinical enquiry, care pathways and an enhanced referral pathway to specialist domestic violence services. DASU’s specialist worker operating within surgeries is able to accept referrals and put safety plans in place for patients when they attend their GP. This reduces the likelihood of further offences and provides GPs with an additional resource to support patients who disclose Domestic Abuse.

Gaynor McKeown, CEO of DASU said: “With the funding received via the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office, we already deliver an outstanding IDVA service in North Wales. However, we have wanted to work more closely with health professionals to try and reach victims earlier. Our experience tells us that victims are likely to see health professionals and attend hospital or their GP surgery on a number of occasions before they access specialist Domestic Abuses services, so these projects will provide us with a real opportunity to raise awareness of Domestic abuse and support health professionals to make that clinical enquiry whilst seeing patients in the health setting. This is a fantastic opportunity to make real in-roads into the way we tackle domestic abuse in North Wales. We’re delighted with the results to date, which have seen levels of referrals in Denbighshire increasing daily and referral pathways into all our additional services being utilised.”

Andy Dunbobbin, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, commented: “I am delighted to see the progress being made in delivering support to victims of domestic violence in North Wales and the vital work that DASU is doing in this area. If we want to really reach out and help victims, then we need to make contact with them in as many ways as we can, and one of these is through GP and other health services. The IRIS programme is an innovative and effective way of doing this.

“Tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence is a key part of my Police and Crime Plan, but it is a crime that remains under-reported. So it is vital we support victims to increase their confidence, encourage more victims to come forward and help end the scourge of domestic abuse and sexual violence.”

Michelle Denwood, BCUHB Director of Safeguarding and Public Protection reinforced the importance of this collaboration: “BCUHB are delighted to be working in partnership with DASU on both the IDVA and IRIS projects. Both are supporting health professionals to ensure the safety of victims, minimise the risk of harm and rebuild positive lives. Within the Safeguarding & Public Protection agenda Domestic Abuse remains a strategic priority for the Health Board.”

Aimed at women, men and children who are experiencing domestic abuse from a current partner, ex-partner or adult family member, The IDVA and IRIS services provide immediate practical and emotional support and is able to advocate on behalf of the victim. IRIS also provides information and signposting for male victims and perpetrators. It also includes training and support for GP practice clinicians and staff to improve the identification of, and response to, patients who are or have been affected by domestic violence and abuse.

DASU North Wales: