LAUNCH OF NEW DACA SERVICE

Shetland Women’s Aid launches new Domestic Abuse Court Advocacy Service

Shetland Women’s Aid is proud to officially launch our new Domestic Abuse Court Advocacy (DACA) Service, providing specialist support to women affected by domestic abuse in Shetland as they navigate criminal court proceedings.

While our team has supported women through the criminal justice process for many years, the launch of the dedicated DACA Service formalises and strengthens this work. All three of our Independent Domestic Abuse Advocates (IDAAs) have now completed accredited DACA training through SafeLives.

DACA provides specialist advocacy to women whose partner or ex-partner is accused in a domestic abuse case which is progressing, or likely to progress, through the criminal court system.

Through the new service, our DACA workers can monitor the progress of criminal court proceedings and keep women informed about important developments, including court dates and outcomes, bail conditions and Non-Harassment Orders. They can communicate women’s views and safety needs at relevant stages of the criminal justice process, provide emotional support and safety planning, and provide factual reports to the court where appropriate. Women will also be able to access support from a dedicated space within Lerwick Sheriff Court.

The new service also gives our trained workers direct access to live, up-to-date information about criminal court proceedings. This reduces the need to seek updates through other agencies and allows women to be kept informed more quickly and consistently.

Laura Stronach, CEO of Shetland Women’s Aid, said:

“We are incredibly proud to launch Shetland’s new Domestic Abuse Court Advocacy Service. This comes at a time of growing local and national recognition of the need to strengthen responses to domestic abuse and ensure women are properly supported through the justice process.

This service has been developed in response to a clear local need, through strong partnership working with agencies committed to improving outcomes for women and children affected by domestic abuse. Its launch reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that women in Shetland do not have to face the justice system alone, and that they are supported, informed, and empowered every step of the way.”

For the IDAA team delivering the new service, DACA builds on their existing experience of supporting women through the criminal justice process, while providing a more formalised route for advocacy and access to information.

Erin Devine, Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate at Shetland Women’s Aid, said:

“The criminal justice process can be difficult to understand and navigate, particularly for women who are already dealing with the impact of domestic abuse. Through DACA, our role is to help make that process clearer, ensuring women understand what is happening, that their voices and choices remain visible, and that their safety and wellbeing stay at the heart of the process.

For women who choose to engage with the justice system, we recognise what a significant step that can be. Our aim is to ensure they have the information, support and advocacy they need, that their individual circumstances and experiences are kept in view, and that they know they do not have to navigate the process alone.”

Partnership working will also be central to the service. Shetland Women’s Aid is encouraging referrals to DACA to be made at the earliest possible opportunity when a domestic abuse case is expected to progress through the criminal justice system. Early referral allows DACA workers to begin supporting women from the outset, including ensuring their views and safety needs can be communicated at relevant stages of proceedings.

Police Scotland will be one route into the service. Where officers attend a domestic abuse incident and the alleged perpetrator is likely to appear at court, women should be offered a referral for domestic abuse court advocacy support, alongside information about other support available from Shetland Women’s Aid.

Chief Inspector Chris Sewell, Area Commander for Shetland, said:

“DACA provides an important source of specialist support for women and children experiencing domestic abuse in Shetland. From a policing perspective, having a trusted service working alongside us is hugely valuable in helping victims feel supported, reducing risk and, most importantly, keeping people safe.”

Women can also self-refer to the DACA Service. As with our other services, referrals will follow Shetland Women’s Aid’s usual processes, with suitability assessed on a case-by-case basis. Support from Shetland Women’s Aid is always voluntary.

To find out more about DACA, make a referral, or find out about any of the support available from Shetland Women’s Aid, call 01595 692070 or email office@shetlandwa.org. In an emergency, always call 999.