Kent domestic abuse team launch new hospital service and engage community

On 2nd December, our team launched a new Hospital Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy (HIDVA) Service at Maidstone Hospital. The service works in tandem with the hospital’s safeguarding team to enhance the ability of healthcare professionals to identify those affected by domestic abuse and offer them support.

As part of the opening, the HIDVA team engaged both hospital patients and employees. Our staff handed out leaflets and ran a lunchtime discussion with nursing staff who shared their experiences and learnt more about how to recognise early signs of abuse, ask the right questions, and create a safe environment for patients to start accessing support.

The new service places a dedicated Look Ahead IDVA worker on site to enable healthcare staff to provide a holistic response to any domestic abuse disclosures or concerns. The HIDVA worker will offer direct support, onward referrals, and robust risk management for patients experiencing domestic abuse. The service will also offer ongoing training for local NHS staff.

Meanwhile, over the last month, our Male Independent Domestic Abuse Advocacy Service (MIDAAS) have been raising awareness about male experiences of domestic abuse, the unique challenges faced by men, and the support available to them across Kent and Medway, participating in a series of high-profile events.

MIDAAS staff gave presentations at various events and venues, including the Swale Domestic Abuse Conference and the Diocese of Rochester Safeguarding Day, focusing on the obstacles men face in accessing support and specialist services open to them, with the Mayor of Swale, the Councillor for the Isle of Sheppey, Bishops and safeguarding officers in attendance.

The team also visited the University of Kent in Canterbury to inform faculty and students about the resources open to men, distributing pens and hand gels with discreet information, enabling men and those who identify as men to discreetly access support.

Yvette Hazelden, Strategic and Development Lead for Look Ahead’s Kent Domestic Abuse Service said: We are pleased to see the recent achievements and expansion of Look Ahead’s operations in Kent and Medway. Both the launch of our new HIDVA service and the active stakeholder engagement of our MIDAAS staff highlight our commitment to ensuring individuals facing domestic abuse and their families can move forward with their lives in a safe way that meets their needs.