North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin has welcomed the creation of a scheme to offer more support to victims of 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 September 29, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin met those involved in the initiative and learnt more about the services on offer to victims.
This joint working has been extended into a number of GP surgeries within Denbighshire as part of a new pilot programme called IRIS (Identification and Referral to Increase Safety) which offers GPs a programme of training and education, clinical enquiry, care pathways and an enhanced referral pathway to specialist domestic violence services.
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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.
Gaynor McKeown, CEO of DASU said: "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."
Andy Dunbobbin, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, said: “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."
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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.
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