Consistency of support for victims of sexual and domestic abuse
is set to be bolstered through new guidance published today
(Friday 9 May).
New guidance on Independent Domestic Violence Advisers and
updated guidance for Independent Sexual Violence Advisers will
set out how these vital workers can best support brave survivors
of physical and sexual abuse.
The guidance will cover issues such as how to best help victims
navigate the criminal justice system, or how to signpost
survivors to support services in the community. It will also look
at how advisers can better support the needs of the most
vulnerable, including children, through the use of
age-appropriate materials.
In addition, the government will publish the first ever guidance
for Independent Stalking Advocates next year. The first of its
kind, the guidance will be developed by experts in this area, the
Suzy Lamplugh Trust.
This work forms part of the government's commitment to halve
violence against women and girls in the next decade and to create
safer streets through its Plan for Change.
Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and
Girls, , said:
“Independent Domestic Violence Advisers and Independent Sexual
Violence Advisers are vital in supporting victims of domestic and
sexual abuse – from helping to navigate the court process to
advising on services they can access in their community.
“Today's guidance will help to improve the consistency of that
support. This marks another step forwards in halving violence
against women and girls as part of our Plan for Change.”
Sexual and domestic abuse has devasting consequences for victims.
An Independent Domestic Violence Adviser and Independent Sexual
Violence Adviser can help to support victims when this happens –
from providing one to one emotional support or signposting to
community-based services, to providing practical support such as
help to access refuge accommodation or advice on the court
process.
The Independent Domestic Violence Adviser and Independent Sexual
Violence Adviser guidance has been developed in close
collaboration with the victim support sector to ensure it
accurately reflects how these roles should operate in practice to
give victims the support they need.
As set out in the Victims and Prisoners Act, criminal justice
bodies and other organisations with public functions relating to
victims have a duty to consider the best practice recommendations
within the guidance. The intention is to improve the way in which
professionals work together to support victims.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- Section 16 (1) of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 provides
a duty on the Secretary of State to issue guidance on specified
victim support roles.
- The Victim Support (Specified Roles) Regulations 2025 specify
victim support roles about which guidance will be published under
section 16. The regulations specify Independent Domestic Violence
Advisers, Independent Sexual Violence Advisers, and Independent
Stalking Advocates.
- A targeted consultation with the victim support sector
seeking views on the Independent Domestic Violence Adviser and
Independent Sexual Violence Adviser guidance ran January -
February 2025.
