Stage 4

1. case decision
2. trial
3. on-going support by police and independent domestic violence advisers (IDVA)

Both the officer in the case (OIC) and the IDVA will be able to support you at court and they may have applied for ‘special measures’ which are methods to help you feel less worried about the court process. This includes giving your
evidence from another room and not having to step inside the court.

It may be possible to give your evidence via a live link from another building and not to have to attend court. In the event of a guilty verdict, the offender may receive a prison sentence or made to pay a fine. The probation service can continue to manage this person with conditions once they are released. If the suspect has been told to attend a perpetrator programme, you will be offered the support of the Domestic Abuse Safety Adviser. In the event of a not guilty verdict, stage 4 is finished, and you will have completed the criminal justice
process. You can continue to have the support of welfare services for as
long as you need them.