Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (Commissioner), David Allen praises Cumbria Victim Support’s Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) team, as they receive Safe Live’s Leading Lights quality standards accreditation for the fourth year running.
The ‘Safelives Leading Lights’ accreditation, is the mark of quality for domestic abuse services and is recognised by Commissioners and funders across the UK. It recognises the high levels of service and good practice in the county’s community-based Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) service.
IDVA’s support victims of domestic abuse through a risk led response and ensure that survivors of domestic violence receive the same level of service, regardless of where they live in the county.
Commissioner David Allen comments: “I am absolutely delighted that the Independent Domestic Violence Advocate team continue to support and develop high quality services for victims of domestic abuse in Cumbria.
“They work with high-risk victims of domestic abuse and coercive control, to support them to increase their understanding of domestic abuse, improve their and their family’s quality of life and reduce their risk. They work across our multi-agency partnership to ensure victims voices and concerns are heard, ensuring a suitable, safe support plan is tailored to victims and survivors needs.
“Achieving nationally recognised high standard awards for our domestic abuse service provision should give people the confidence to come forwards, seek help and know that really great support is available.”
Sarah Place, Victim Support Cumbria Operations Manager comments: “I would like to congratulate and thank our IDVAs and Domestic Abuse team for their dedication to victims and survivors, and their passion to bring about positive change for victims and their families.
“It’s great that the IDSVA team’s hard work, determination for helping others and passion for what they do every day, has been nationally recognised.
“In addition, Victim Support - Cumbria provide additional services that may benefit victims and their children, such as structured recovery work with children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse. We also provide behaviour change programmes for those who wish to remain in a relationship and address their behaviours.
“Here at Victim Support, we work towards ensuring that people in Cumbria, who have been affected by crime or traumatic events, get the support they need and the respect they deserve. We help people feel safer and find the strength to move beyond crime.”
Detective Chief Inspector Gemma Hannah, Cumbria Constabulary’s Public Protection Unit, said: “The work of Independent Domestic Violence Advocates is crucial to providing holistic support to those who have suffered domestic abuse.
“I would like to congratulate Cumbria’s IDVA team on this national recognition for the work they do to support people in our county.”
Call 0300 3030157 Monday to Friday 8am-6pm to speak to Victim Support Cumbria. Live chat is accessible 24/7 on Victim Support Live chat service or call the 24/7 National Supportline on 08 08 16 89 111.
https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/cumbria/
https://safelives.org.uk/our-training-services/leading-lights-accreditation/
If you wish to report to police you can do so online at Report a crime | Cumbria Police. You can also phone on 101. Always phone 999 in an emergency or if a crime is in progress.