Support before, during and after criminal court hearings.

• Organise courtroom visits to familiarise survivors before a trial and assist with requesting Special Measures to help ease anxieties.
• Simplify and explain criminal justice procedures, helping survivors understand their options and make informed decisions.
• Liaise with police, courts, and the Crown Prosecution Service, ensuring survivors have a strong support system throughout legal proceedings.
• Additionally, we extend our expertise to civil and family law matters, offering advice on protective injunctions, children’s issues, and divorce.

Our team is strengthened by qualified:

• Independent Sexual Violence Advocates (ISVAs): specially trained professionals bringing a wealth of expertise to survivors of sexual abuse.
• Complex Needs IDVA: Supporting females with multiple, complex vulnerabilities including substance use, mental health, homelessness and offending.
• Young People’s IDVA: supports clients of any gender, aged 16-25. Building trusting and open relationships with young victim-survivors, to increase transparency and disclosures.

Together, our IDVAs and ISVAs form a unified front, ensuring survivors receive holistic care that addresses the complexities of their experiences. Choosing our IDVAs means choosing a compassionate and qualified ally on your journey towards safety and recovery.
*All our IDVAs hold, or are actively working towards the nationally accredited IDVA qualification.

To refer to this service or learn more, call us on our 24-hour helpline number: 0113 2460401, live chat with us via this website or email [email protected]
To read FAQs about our the IDVA service, visit: ldvs.uk/idva/