New service will offer one-stop shop for domestic abuse victims

Friday 23rd April 2010, 2:29PM BST.

Domestic abuse illustration A NEW advice service for victims of domestic violence could help them escape ‘ongoing and often escalating’ abuse, according to the Policy Council.

The council is seeking tenders from organisations wanting to set up and manage an Independent Domestic Violence Advisory Service and a spokeswoman said it would offer victims ‘one point of contact they can approach for help’.

IDVA services are already used in England and Wales and the Social Policy Group – a subcommittee of the Policy Council – will take the process forward as part of the new domestic abuse strategy.

It is hoped the new service would eventually help reduce the number of domestic abuse cases, although she conceded that reported incidents could go up as a result.