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Although we are a little delayed in sharing this publication, IRISi is pleased to launch our latest National Report, encompassing all the data and insights gathered from sites running the IRIS Programme and the ADViSE Programme across England, Wales, the Channel Islands and Northern Ireland up to March 2023.
We are proud to highlight that, through our collaborative efforts, we have received 36,352 referrals – signifying that 36,352 service users were identified during consultations with IRIS trained GPs or ADViSE sexual health trained clinicians, and subsequently referred to an Advocate Educator, a domestic abuse specialist embedded in clinical settings to provide support.
Since its establishment in 2017, IRISi has been at the forefront of developing and implementing evidence-based programmes to improve the healthcare response to gender-based violence. We aim to foster awareness within healthcare settings and provide a clear pathway for healthcare professionals to better identify and refer their patients to specialist services.
Our flagship intervention, IRIS (Identification and Referral to Improve Safety), offers training and support to improve the response to domestic abuse in general practice, proving to be cost-effective and sustainable over time. In 2021, IRISi introduced its second intervention, ADViSE, designed to assist sexual health clinicians in identifying and referring patients affected by domestic and sexual violence and abuse (D&SVA). We are delighted that this report, the IRISi National Report, now encompasses data analysis for both the IRIS and ADViSE programmes.
Here are some key findings highlighted in our latest National Report
From April 2022 to March 2023, IRIS and ADViSE were commissioned and operational in 40 areas across the UK. During this period:
- Our network received a total of 6,333 referrals.
- Our network ran 728 training sessions, with over 3,450 individuals participating in one or more sessions.
- Data on abuse were collected from 4,487 service users, with 87% experiencing multiple types of abuse concurrently.
- 44% of the service users referred faced mental health challenges or problematic substance use.
- 245 service users were recorded as having experienced non-fatal strangulation.
- Over 3,300 service users referred to the IRIS or ADViSE programmes received emotional support from their Advocate Educator.
- The majority of service users indicated they had not accessed support from domestic abuse/sexual violence specialist organisations before, underscoring that IRIS and ADViSE may be reaching people who otherwise would not have received the assistance they needed.
- Nearly 1,500 service users sought one-time assistance, while for others support lasted an average of about 2 months, though some received assistance for over a year.
- A total of 34 different specialist services collaborated with IRISi in delivering IRIS and/or ADViSE.
- 97% of service users agreed or strongly agreed that they were pleased to be asked about domestic abuse and/or sexual violence during consultations.
>> To read the National Report in full, please click here!
To comment or ask questions, please message us, info@irisi.org