The manager of an organisation that helps people affected by domestic abuse has taken a specialist course in the UK.

Victim Support Isle of Man helps those affected by domestic abuse, crime, including sexual assault, and fatal road traffic collisions.

As part of its work with victims of domestic abuse, manager Paula Gelling has been on a specialist course.

The course, run by SafeLives in conjunction with the Open College Network, leads to a qualification as an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor, or IDVA.

The course took place over four months, comprising 108 hours of classroom work and more than 200 hours study. Paula completed the course work in her own time, which totalled over 66,760 words.

The cost of the course was funded by Manx Lottery Trust, as a delegated partner of the Big Lottery Fund. The travel and the accommodation were funded by Celton Recognition.

Paula said: ’I am so very grateful to the Manx Lottery Trust and Celton Recognition for giving me the opportunity to attain this qualification. It was an intense period, working full time, with a busy caseload, including victims of domestic and sexual abuse. I was studying at 7am for an hour before work and again for a couple of hours after work, which resulted in completing the coursework weeks ahead of schedule.’

She added: ’The benefit of the IDVA training means that I can risk-assess domestic abuse cases and work with the client towards a safer future. Research has shown that with the intervention of an IDVA and appropriate safety planning, working jointly with core agencies, in 60% of cases the abuse ceased, which means a safer future for victims of domestic abuse and their children, which is imperative. "

In addition, Victim Support provides the witness service for victims, witnesses, their family and friends at court. The team can support people before court and during a hearing.

Victim Support receives an annual contribution from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), but otherwise relies on its fundraising activities and donations from the public and corporate sponsors.

Mark Kelly, chief executive of Department of Home Affairs, said: ’Victim Support delivers a high-quality service to the local community, helping people when they are at their most vulnerable. Addressing domestic abuse is a policy priority for the Department and having a trained Independent Domestic Violence Adviser is a positive step. It also aligns with the commitment within our flagship Criminal Justice Strategy to place even greater emphasis on the treatment of victims and witnesses.’

Bill Mummery, executive director of Celton Manx, added: ’Supporting Victim Support in this manner helped deliver lasting benefit to the charity and its clients. To do so was both a pleasure and a continuation of our support.’