The Domestic Abuse (DA) Alliance brings together organisations working on the frontline of domestic abuse with the civil legal sector to deliver legal assistance and protection for victims. The free to use WEPROTECT mobile app - developed in conjunction with police and specialist support service providers - enables instant victim referral to ensure that appropriate legal support is actioned without delay. WEPROTECT is already being used by frontline officers across Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Humberside, Cumbria and Sussex Police, and by several IDVA services and charities across the UK who support victims of domestic abuse. You can also make referrals on the DA Alliance website and the team operate a telephone helpline: 0800 101 7110.

The DA Alliance’s call handlers demystify the complex legal process for those seeking support and, where appropriate, connect them to a firm of solicitors in its Legal Partner Network to seek a civil court order.

Referral partners are granted access to a customised dashboard on the secure WEPROTECT online portal, providing real-time visibility of service performance and the victim journey throughout the legal process.

The DA Alliance is committed to monitoring the impact and effectiveness of its service. To date:

• +3,000 frontline users are currently registered on the WEPROTECT app.
• +20,000 victims referred to the DA Alliance.
• +2,000 protection orders granted​.

A recent service assessment into the impact of the DA Alliance and its Legal Partner Network revealed:

• 72% of victims (for whom the DA Alliance had helped secure a court order) were no longer suffering from abuse. 
• 86% of victims were satisfied with the service provided by the DA Alliance.
• 74% of victims were satisfied with the service provided by their appointed solicitor.

WEPROTECT is the only referral service of its kind to be selected for independent evaluation by the Home Office, through its What Works Fund. The University of Birmingham is currently assessing the impact of WEPROTECT in reducing re-victimisation and the mental health burden on survivors. It is also conducting an economic analysis of the WEPROTECT service against the £66 billion it is estimated that domestic abuse costs the UK economy each year.

Find out more: www.domestic-abuse.co.uk