Get help from your Victim Support

Domestic abuse support services

The Bedfordshire Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) Service is a SafeLives Leading Lights accredited service, reflecting good and safe practice. Our trained and accredited IDVAs offer advice, advocacy and support to victims of domestic abuse across Bedfordshire. Our Hospital IDVA supports victims of domestic abuse who are inpatients or out patients at Bedford Hospital.

Support offered can include:

• Listening to your concerns and assess current risks to ensure that you receive the most appropriate support.
• Developing a safety and support plan based on your individual circumstances, explore your options and give you choices.
• Providing advice and information about the range, effectiveness and suitability of options to improve your safety and that of your children.
• Exploring how secure your home is and look at security & target hardening.
• Discussing housing options available to you including homelessness and refuge and inform you of your rights in relation to housing.
• Supporting you with criminal matters; explaining the criminal justice process and the effectiveness of criminal and civil remedies and organising a pre-trial visit or support for you at court.
• Discussing civil remedies such as non-molestation orders.
• Liaising with agencies such as Housing, the Crown Prosecution Service, Police, Solicitors, Social Care and other relevant organisations or advocate on your behalf, enabling your voice to be heard.
• Signposting you to agencies in regards to financial issues that have resulted from the domestic abuse.
• Advocating for you at the MARAC (multi-agency risk assessment conference) where agencies work collectively to try and reduce your risk and aim to keep you and your children safer.
• Supporting you to access other specialist agencies/support networks.

Stalking support service

We have a dedicated, trained and accredited Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworker (ISAC) who supports non domestic abuse related stalking victims across Bedfordshire.

Support offered can include:

• Listening to your concerns and risk access your current situation
• Working with you to develop and support and safety plan based on your own current circumstances
• Discussing housing options available to you including homelessness and inform you of your rights in relation to housing
• Supporting you with criminal matters; explaining the criminal justice process and the effectiveness of criminal and civil remedies and organising a pre-trial visit or support for you at court
• Discussing civil remedies such as general injunctions and Stalking Protection orders
• Liaising with agencies such as Housing, the Crown Prosecution Service, Police, Solicitors, Social Care and other relevant organisations or advocate on your behalf, enabling your voice to be heard
• Signposting you to agencies in regards to cyberstalking
• Advocating for you at the BSIP (Bedfordshire Stalking Intervention Partnership) where agencies work collectively to try and reduce your risk and aim to keep you and your children safer
• Making referrals for trauma therapy for you and your children
• Signposting and making referrals to other specialist services

To access support or information on any of the services above please contact: idva.bedfordshire@victimsupport.org.uk

Luton: 01582 488777
Monday to Friday: 8am to 5pm

Bedford: 01234 763785
Monday to Friday: 8am to 5pm

Other support (for all types of crime)

Call our free 24/7 Supportline for free on 08 08 16 89 111 or request support via our 24/7 free live chat on our website

Create a free account on My Support Space – an online resource containing interactive guides to help you manage the impact that crime has had on you.

Support in your area

Bedfordshire Victim Care Services run victims’ services in Bedfordshire. Call 0800 0282 887.

Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.