24 Hour Domestic Violence Help-line

 SDVCs are being developed as part of a national model promoted by the Home Office. 

A partnership group has been meeting this year to develop an SDVC in Mansfield. The partnership includes Probation, HM Court Service, Crown Prosecution Service, PCT, District Councils, Women’s Aid, Victim Support and Police.

In September 2007, Mansfield was accepted onto the Home Office SDVC Programme and included in the funding roll-out for SDVCs.

There have been operational delays because information has not been forthcoming about listings and DV caseloads. Now we hear that the HM Court Service is able to go ahead with an SDVC in the new year. The next meeting on Dec 6^th 2007 will finalise arrangements for Magistrates Training and the IDVA Service after which a start date can be fixed.

DV Listings in the Worksop and Newark Courts do not contain sufficient numbers at this time for an SDVC. However many women in refuge in North Notts. are attending court where an SDVC does exist and they are therefore receiving the IDVA services available if required. The MARAC in North Notts. has introduced an IDVA service to the area which will be available to high risk survivors at court in Worksop and Newark. ‘