Punita Morris describes how independent domestic violence advisers can support people who have experienced domestic violence when they present to emergency departments

Independent domestic violence advisers (IDVAs) are professionals who support service users by assessing their level of risk, discussing options, developing safety plans, providing time-limited crisis intervention, and directing them to other specialist services. This article describes the work of an IDVA service based in the emergency department (ED) of an inner city hospital. It discusses the benefits of the service for clients and hospital staff, and shows how basing the service in an ED has positive outcomes.