title: Responding Effectively to Women Experiencing Severe Abuse: Identifying Key Components of a British Advocacy Intervention.
abstract: This article presents key findings from a multisite evaluation of Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) services--a form of intervention targeted specifically at women experiencing severe domestic abuse. Results highlight the complex lives of women accessing these services and the efforts of IDVAs to connect women with multiple community resources. Women remaining engaged with services reported positive safety outcomes. Frequency of contact with an IDVA and the number of community resources accessed were positively associated with the odds of achieving safety. These findings suggest this intervention is a promising strategy for tackling severe and complex cases of domestic abuse.
authors.affiliation: University of Bristol, UK NIHR CLAHRC East of England, Cambridge Institute of Public Health, Cambridge, UK Presently affiliated to NIHR CLAHRC East of England Emma.howarth@medschl.cam.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Howarth
authors.affiliation: Cardiff University, UK.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D003376:Counseling / Q000458:organization & administration; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D012946:Social Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000628:therapy*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: domestic abuse; multi-agency; risk assessment