RIVA study – healthcare mateRnIty Violence Advisors
Research type
Research Study
Full title
RIVA study: Evaluating models of healthcare-based Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) within maternity services
IRAS ID
309700
Contact name
Kylee Trevillion
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Director of Research Management & Director of Administration (Health Schools), King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) in pregnancy is associated with poor maternal/infant health outcomes. Healthcare-based Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) work to secure the safety of those at risk of harm from DVA, by providing practical/emotional support to people experiencing abuse, and by providing DVA training to healthcare staff. Across a range of healthcare settings, IDVA programmes are found to be effective, but less is known about their implementation or impact within maternity services.
The RIVA study consists of three projects:
i) A survey of English NHS Trusts with maternity services, to identify different models of IDVA programmes
ii) A workshop for those with domestic abuse expertise on how to practically support the successful implementation of IDVA models in maternity services. The workshop will develop a set of recommendations on how to support the successful implementation of IDVA models in maternity services, and these will be taken forward and used in this case study evaluation.
iii) A case-study evaluation which aims to assess the implementation of IDVA models across three different NHS Trusts with maternity services. This evaluation will include measurement of the impact of a DVA third-sector specialist organisation (i.e. Safelives) in supporting Trusts with the implementation of IDVA models. We will use a mixed-methods approach to evaluate Trusts’ strategies for implementing the IDVA models and examine the associated outcomes for Trust staff and service users.
This submission seeks approval for the third part of the project, the case study evaluation. Through conducting documentary analyses, interviews with NHS staff/commissioners, surveys and interviews with NHS service users, and analyses of maternity service clinical data, the study aims to:
(1) Identify ongoing learnings that occur across NHS Trusts that implement IDVA programmes;
(2) Evaluate the impact of IDVA programme implementation activities in achieving positive outcomes for staff and service users
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/NW/0356
Date of REC Opinion
30 Nov 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion