The Whole Justice Approach supports women who are going through the criminal justice system. It aims to improve prosecutions and convictions of domestic abuse by working alongside the police, the CPS, the courts, and the prison services as cases progress through the system.
The Impact Project
We deliver the Whole Justice Approach through our Impact Project, in partnership with our sister organisation Standing Together against Domestic Abuse, Hammersmith & Fulham council, the Metropolitan Police and the CPS.
We know from our work with women that anxiety around an intimidating justice process can prevent survivors coming forward. Our specialist criminal justice IDVAs (Independent Domestic Abuse Advocates) are with women every step of the way, providing practical and emotional support to help them see the process through.
The Whole Justice Approach focuses on specialist professionals working together to reduce the risk in domestic abuse cases.
This is achieved through:
- Criminal justice IDVAs who work in police stations and courts to support women at every stage of the criminal justice process, including when they first report abuse
- Specialist Project Coordinators to track cases and monitor performance, intervene to minimise poor outcomes for victims, and reduce the risk of case attrition
- Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts (SDACs) where trained court personnel, including magistrates and clerks, work together on domestic abuse cases
The result is a better relationship between criminal justice agencies and advocacy agencies, which improves the justice system’s response to domestic abuse survivors and improves their trust in the system.
Our criminal justice IDVA can support women:
- Living in Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster
- After a suspect has been charged with a relevant offence or arrested but released pending further investigation.
The Whole Justice Approach
Make a referral:
Referrals can be made by the police or other professionals, including court personnel and probation staff. Find out more by emailing Angelou@advancecharity.org.uk
Please note this service is not open to self-referrals.