IDVA Comparisons: Understanding Their Role and Impact
"Other countries built consistency into their court support systems. The UK built expertise — and then underfunded it."
Confronting Abuse in the Courtroom
When survivors of domestic violence step into the courtroom, they face not only the stress of litigation but also the emotional burden of confronting their abuser. In this vulnerable position, the right support can make all the difference.
The Role of IDVAs in England and Wales
In England and Wales, survivors at high risk of domestic abuse may receive support from an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA). These trained professionals work with multiple agencies — including the police, courts, and local authorities — to create safety plans, advocate for survivors in the justice process, and coordinate responses through Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs).
IDVAs provide practical help, such as connecting survivors with housing advice, benefits, and emergency funds, while also offering emotional and personal support. They act as a trusted presence during what can be one of the most overwhelming experiences of a survivor’s life.
The Impact of IDVA Support
The results are compelling. According to SafeLives (2024), 85% of survivors supported by an IDVA reported feeling safer by the end of their case. Police data also show that survivors with IDVA support are 49% less likely to withdraw from investigations, saving time and resources for both the police and courts (Home Office, 2022). Moreover, 74% of survivors say they want one-to-one specialist advocacy (Domestic Abuse Commissioner, 2022).
A System Stretched Too Thin
Despite this clear evidence, IDVA services remain severely underfunded and unevenly distributed. Around 71% of survivors navigate the court system with little or no dedicated support. This “postcode lottery” means that survivors in some areas are entirely without access to an IDVA. Only three police force areas currently meet the minimum recommended level of provision.
The problem has worsened: the Office for National Statistics (ONS, 2023) reports a 21.8% decrease in the number of people accessing IDVA services in the year ending March 2023. SafeLives (2021) further notes that one in four IDVAs is blocked from entering courts — a striking indication of systemic barriers.
Learning from International Models
This gap between demand and provision raises an important question: if the UK cannot yet guarantee every survivor access to an IDVA, what can it learn from other countries? Both Canada and Australia have developed different but potentially instructive models of in-court support.
Australia: Prioritising Coverage
In Australia, every State and Territory operates a Family Advocacy and Support Service (FASS). FASS provides free legal advice and court-based support to those affected by domestic and family violence. The service combines legal and social assistance, offering help at all 136 local court locations.
An independent national evaluation (Inside Policy, 2018) found that FASS improved court efficiency, reduced hearing times in family violence cases, increased risk identification, and provided better referrals to long-term support.
The Australian model’s strength lies in its accessibility and integration — every court has a FASS team on site. However, its limitation is depth. While FASS staff are skilled in both legal and social work, they are not always specialists in domestic abuse risk management or long-term safety planning.
Canada: Procedural Support
Canada’s approach is more procedural. In Ontario, the Victim/Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) operates in all 54 court districts, offering immediate support to victims and witnesses once criminal charges are laid. The program helps victims understand and participate in the criminal justice process.
Evaluations by Justice Canada (2019) show that VWAP improves victims’ confidence and satisfaction with the court process. However, because it begins only after charges are filed, it misses the critical pre-charge period — the time when survivors often face the highest risk of harm (Department of Justice Canada, 2020).
The UK’s Distinctive Strength: Early Intervention
The key difference between the UK’s IDVA model and the international systems lies in timing and scope. IDVAs engage with survivors from the moment of disclosure, long before a case reaches court. Their advocacy spans weeks or months of support, including safety planning, housing and financial advice, and emotional assistance.
This early intervention can be life-saving. It addresses the period when victims are most vulnerable to escalating abuse. In contrast, Canada’s and Australia’s court-based services, though more widely available, primarily focus on supporting survivors during proceedings rather than preventing harm beforehand.
Balancing Depth and Reach
The UK’s model is both its greatest strength and its greatest weakness. IDVAs provide specialised, intensive, and holistic support — but that level of engagement requires time, skilled staff, and sustained investment. Other countries built consistency into their court support systems. The UK built expertise — and then underfunded it. Australia and Canada have chosen lighter-touch systems that ensure broader access, but at the expense of depth and continuity.
Funding the Future of Specialist Advocacy
Ultimately, the question for policymakers in England and Wales is not whether specialist advocacy works — the data already prove that it does — but whether the country is willing to fund it properly. Australia and Canada demonstrate that universal coverage is possible, while the UK shows that deeply specialised advocacy can change lives.
If the government truly wants a justice system that protects survivors, it must stop asking whether it can afford the IDVA model and start recognising that it cannot afford not to.
