High Support Need Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (HSN IDVA)

HSN IDVA stands for High Support Need Independent Domestic Violence Advocates. They are experts in domestic abuse, prioritising your safety in every aspect of their work through practical and emotional support, with a specialism for working with victim-survivors who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, using drugs & alcohol and have co-occurring needs.

Yes, all of Rising Sun’s services are provided to victim-survivors free of charge.

Rising Sun is a registered charity, working to provide lifesaving support to women and children experiencing and surviving domestic abuse. We are incredibly grateful to our funders and supporters who enable us to provide our specialist services for free. 

If you’re able to help us to continue being here for more women and children in the future, please consider donating today.

A MARAC is a multi-agency risk assessment conference. It’s made up of local agencies including Social Care, Health agencies, Housing, Probation, Rising Sun and other necessary agencies. It is chaired by the police. 

The main aim of MARAC is to reduce the risk of serious harm or homicide for a victim to increase the safety, health and wellbeing of victims – adults and any children. In a MARAC, local agencies will meet to discuss the highest risk victims in the area and safety plan around them. The safety of children should be addressed via your existing Child Protection procedures, although it will be reinforced by the information gained at MARAC. Information about the risks faced by victims, the actions needed to ensure safety, and the resources available locally will be shared and used to create a risk management plan involving all agencies. 

Everybody who is referred to MARAC is automatically referred to the IDVA service for support. Your case will go to MARAC if you score 14 and above on your DASH. You are not required to attend MARAC, your IDVA will present your views, ensure your voice is heard and keep your safety at the centre of discussions at all times. The IDVA is there for you.

The length of support by a HSN IDVA is different for everyone, they will be by your side as you move towards rebuilding your life. Once you’re in a place of safety, your HSN IDVA support will come to an end. If you continue to need support, your HSN IDVA may refer you into our IDVA/Outreach Service or for further support through another agency.

Rising Sun IDVA’s are professionally trained to provide a specialist service to those experiencing domestic abuse. Although they have an understanding of the legal system surrounding domestic abuse, they are not legally trained and therefore cannot offer legal advice. 

If you require legal advice, you can attend a Rising Sun One Stop Shop where a local solicitor will be available in person, or over the phone, to give you legal advice.

We understand that the court system can be incredibly overwhelming. Your Rising Sun HSN IDVA can support you through your court proceedings, helping to explain the procedures, legal jargon and keeping you up to date. Unfortunately though, our team isn’t able to attend court with you.

If suitable however, your HSN IDVA can refer you to SATEDA, a domestic abuse charity in Swale, who have a  Support 2 Court team to come with you to hearings as McKenzie Friends (court guides/mentors) in Canterbury, Dartford, Maidstone and Medway Courts.

We support survivors who are experiencing the trio of vulnerabilities; homelessness, use of drugs & alcohol and domestic abuse. We understand that mental illness goes hand in hand with the trauma linked to the trio of vulnerabilities, and will provide wraparound support through linking in with the necessary agencies for those we are supporting.

No. We recognise that it may not be possible to complete a DASH with a survivor who is experiencing the trio of vulnerabilities, and acknowledge that there is a significant risk to their safety without requiring a DASH to be completed.

If a survivor doesn’t have a phone, we will use other resources to reach them. For example, we will link in with other agencies who are also supporting them, attend drop-in services at homeless centres and carry out walkabouts with other agencies, such as the Rough Sleeper Team.

Throughout the HSN service, we focus on going to the survivors, instead of having them come to us.