What Is an IDVA? How an Independent Domestic Violence Adviser Can Help

If you are going through a divorce and domestic abuse is part of your story, you do not have to face everything alone. An IDVA can be one of the most helpful people in your corner. This guide explains who they are, what they do, and how to get one — in plain English.

What is an IDVA?

IDVA stands for Independent Domestic Violence Adviser. They are trained specialists who support people experiencing domestic abuse, particularly those at high risk of harm.

An IDVA is not a counsellor, not a solicitor, and not a social worker — though they work alongside all of these. Think of them as your dedicated support person. Their job is to help keep you safe and to help you navigate the systems around you — courts, police, housing, benefits — so you do not have to figure it all out on your own.

IDVAs are employed by domestic abuse charities and local services. They are independent, which means they work for you, not for the police or the court.

Why it matters

When you are dealing with domestic abuse on top of a divorce, the number of things you need to manage can be overwhelming. You might be dealing with court forms, safety concerns, housing problems, financial worries, and emotional exhaustion all at the same time.

An IDVA helps by pulling all of those threads together. They:

• Assess your risk using a structured tool called the DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour-based violence) risk assessment
• Create a safety plan tailored to your situation
• Help with practical things like finding safe housing, applying for protective orders, sorting out benefits
• Support you through court by explaining what to expect, helping you apply for special measures, and attending hearings with you
• Connect you with other services — solicitors, counsellors, children's services, housing teams
• Act as your consistent point of contact through what can be a long and confusing process

They have specialist knowledge of how domestic abuse works, including coercive control, financial abuse, and post-separation abuse. They understand the tactics abusers use, and they will not question whether what you experienced was "bad enough."

What happens

Here is what the process typically looks like:

1. Referral or self-referral

You can be referred to an IDVA by the police, your GP, a hospital, a social worker, a court, or any other professional. You can also refer yourself by contacting your local domestic abuse service directly.

2. Initial contact

Your IDVA will contact you (by phone, usually) to introduce themselves and arrange an initial meeting. This can be face-to-face, by phone, or by video call — whatever feels safe for you.

3. Risk assessment

They will carry out a DASH risk assessment. This is a series of questions about what has happened to you and what your current situation is. It is not a test — there are no right or wrong answers. It helps them understand how much danger you are in and what kind of support you need.

4. Safety planning

Based on the assessment, they will work with you to create a safety plan. This might include steps like changing locks, setting up a safe phone, planning an escape route, or applying for a non-molestation order.

5. Ongoing support

Your IDVA will stay in touch with you regularly. They will help you with whatever you need — filling in forms, preparing for court, dealing with housing, supporting your children. The support typically lasts for as long as you need it during the high-risk period, though this varies by service.

6. MARAC

If you are assessed as high risk, your case may be referred to a MARAC — a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference. This is a meeting where professionals from different agencies (police, health, housing, social services, IDVAs) come together to share information and create a safety plan. You do not attend the MARAC yourself, but your IDVA represents you and feeds back to you afterwards.

What you need to do

If you think an IDVA could help you, here is what to do:

• Call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 — they can connect you with your local IDVA service
• Search for your local domestic abuse service on the Women's Aid directory at womensaid.org.uk
• Ask your GP — they can make a referral
• Tell the police if you are reporting abuse — they will refer you automatically in most areas
• Ask at court — family courts often have IDVAs or can point you to one
• Be honest with your IDVA — the more they know, the better they can help. Everything you tell them is confidential (with very limited exceptions around safeguarding children)

You do not need to have reported the abuse to the police. You do not need to have left the relationship. You do not need to have any evidence. You just need to ask for help.

What could go wrong

• Waiting too long to ask. IDVA services can have waiting lists in some areas, especially for lower-risk cases. The sooner you reach out, the sooner you get support. If you are at immediate risk, tell them — high-risk cases are prioritised.
• Thinking it is not "bad enough." Domestic abuse is not just physical violence. Coercive control, financial abuse, emotional abuse, and harassment all count. If your ex's behaviour makes you afraid or controls your life, an IDVA can help.
• Confusing confidentiality with silence. Your IDVA will keep your information confidential, but if there is a risk to a child's safety, they have a legal duty to share that information with children's services. This is not about getting you in trouble — it is about keeping children safe.
• Expecting legal advice. IDVAs are not lawyers. They can explain court processes, help you prepare, and support you emotionally, but they cannot give legal advice or represent you. For legal advice, you need a solicitor (many offer a free initial consultation).
• Not realising men can access the service too. IDVA services support people of any gender. If you are a man experiencing domestic abuse, you are entitled to exactly the same support.

Where to get help

• National Domestic Abuse Helpline — 0808 2000 247 (free, 24 hours, run by Refuge)
• Women's Aid — womensaid.org.uk (directory of local services and live chat)
• Men's Advice Line — 0808 8010 327
• Galop — 0800 999 5428 (for LGBT+ people experiencing domestic abuse)
• Karma Nirvana — 0800 5999 247 (honour-based abuse)
• Respect phoneline — 0808 8024 040 (if you are worried about your own behaviour)

Official sources

• Domestic abuse: how to get help — GOV.UK
• National Domestic Abuse Helpline
• Women's Aid — find a local service
• MARAC — SafeLives
• Domestic Abuse Act 2021 — Legislation.gov.uk