Domestic Abuse

The West Kent IDVA service provides support to residents in the boroughs of Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge and Malling who are experiencing abuse. Abuse by a partner or family member is a crime and we can support all persons over the age of 16 with one-to one guidance and support.

Domestic abuse can affect anyone regardless of their age, gender, or sexuality. The team of qualified IDVA’s (Independent Domestic Violence Advisors) will work with clients to offer risk reducing measures from point of crisis to living abuse free.  Working together to create bespoke safety plans and providing independent advice with issues such as protective legal orders, housing, courts both family and criminal and to help understand your rights as a person experiencing abuse. We also offer a range of programmes to enhance the process of recovery.

All referrals to the IDVA service either as a self- referral or professional referral will be subject to an assessment process and should our criteria not be met we will signpost to the most appropriate service.

Look Ahead offer domestic abuse support across Kent and Medway for men and those identifying as men.

This support may be from an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) or from a domestic abuse worker depending on a clients individual circumstances and current risk level.

We also offer survivor programmes, a safe environment with the support of other men who can empathise through shared experiences.

The Healthy Relationships Intervention (HRI) is a one-to-one behaviour change programme for perpetrators of abuse who need support to develop safer and healthier relationship behaviours. This is a multi-agency work to reduce repeat victim and address the perpetrator’s behaviour

It focuses on helping them understand the impact of their actions and learn new skills in communication, emotional regulation, and managing conflict. The programme is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) principles and supports meaningful, long-term behaviour change.

HRI involves 12 weekly sessions, each lasting around 1.5 hours, delivered face to face or online, depending on safety and suitability. Throughout the intervention, the victim’s safety and well-being remain the top priority.

Victim Link service (Look Ahead) will contact the victim—only when safe to do so—to share programme start/end dates, risk assessment, and offer individualised safety support plans and domestic abuse programs. Victims do not need to be involved in the perpetrator’s sessions and will never be asked to engage with them.

Support is available at any point if the victim has questions, concerns, or needs additional safety planning while the programme is ongoing.