Staying Put work with communities to ensure that people who experience domestic abuse are able to access support and help where and when they need it. We therefore work in a range of settings, from GP Practices, schools and colleges to hospitals.

What is a Hospital IDVA?

A Hospital IDVA (HIDVA) is an IDVA that works in a hospital setting.

An IDVA is an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate. Their main job is to support people experiencing domestic abuse- whether that’s helping them get to safety, getting them mental health support or helping them keep their children and family safe.

What do HIDVA’s do?

HIDVA’s help anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse and is in a hospital setting, whether they’re a patient or because they work at the hospital. They are independent from the NHS.

“We are often seeing patients at their most vulnerable,” explains Fran, a HIDVA from Staying Put. “We are in a very fortunate and privileged position that we can try to build a relationship with someone to help them move forward safely before they are discharged.”

Staying Put currently have two HIDVAs that support both patients and staff as well as a Maternity HIDVA specialising in supporting women who are pregnant. The Maternity HIDVA supports anyone who has disclosed a concern about domestic abuse, or where other professionals may have expressed concerns. This is vital as this ensures that the needs of both mum and baby are being met in a person centred and holistic way.

“We come into contact with, and are fortunate to support, a wide variety of people from different backgrounds/different ages and different ethnicities who have different and often complex support needs.” Says Fran. “Some of the people we support are disclosing for the first time and have been enduring the abuse for over 50 years.”

Research suggests that people experiencing domestic abuse are most likely to reveal, and feel safest to reveal, abuse to health professionals. This puts the HIDVA in a unique position; to be able to offer immediate support to patients. What’s more, people experiencing domestic abuse in a hospital setting are often in hospital due to the abuse they have faced.

“Within our roles we have been able to identify and support often hidden victims.” Says Kerry, HIDVA “This has included older patients, patients with significant and complex mental health and male victims.”

Supporting hospital staff

It’s not just patients that HIDVA’s support. They ensure staff across the hospital trusts, who are victims of domestic abuse, can also be supported. This includes supporting them with the abuse they’re experiencing, but also supporting them to remain at work and ensuring they receive support from their employer to remain at work. This is hugely beneficial as isolation is often a key factor in domestic abuse. By helping staff remain safe at work this ensures that they remain supported and can move forward from the abuse. We have a video on how we helped a nurse experiencing domestic abuse here.

Providing training

HIDVA’s also provide training to health professionals and hospital staff about recognising and responding to the signs of domestic abuse, as well as the link between physical symptoms of domestic abuse and the mental symptoms.

HIDVA’s put people at the centre of what they do. To do this, they will work with partner agencies to not only ensure that hospital staff have access to information on how to support patients experiencing domestic abuse but that the patient has all the right support. For example, HIDVA’s may speak to partner charities such as Family Action if the patient has children who also need support. However, the HIDVA will always check this is OK first. Working with partner agencies ensures that people get the best help and that they’re not having to repeat their story over and over again.

Additional information

Final word from Fran: “By placing IDVAS at the centre of health, in both hospitals and GP practices, I believe we can make victims safer, faster, and ensure they can access support in the community moving forward.”

If you want to discuss any concerns about domestic abuse, whether it’s concerning you, a friend or family member, please call us on 0808 2800 999.

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