A SPECIALIST court has been established for high risk victims of domestic violence and abuse in Worcestershire.

A weekly "Specialist Domestic Violence Court" (SDVC) is being re-launched at Redditch Magistrates' court on Monday, August 1, to deal with domestic abuse offences committed in Worcestershire.

The court will bring together specially trained police officers, prosecutors, court service staff, probation officers as well as Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVA) who will all have had specialist training and will work together in order to support victims of domestic abuse.

The main benefit of the court is considered to be its effectiveness in providing a less traumatic experience for victims from the moment they report their situation to the police right through to giving evidence in court.

Police will take a statement from victims and will refer them to specialist agencies such as West Mercia Women's Aid and/or Victim Support depending on their wishes and needs.

IDVAs are independent of police and any other statutory agencies.

The information disclosed will remain confidential unless there are child or adult protection concerns.

IDVA will only work with high risk victims of domestic abuse.

If the perpetrator is arrested, charged and the matter proceeds to court, the victim will have a single point of contact in the Witness Care Unit (a joint initiative between the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

The Witness Care Officer will keep the injured party updated and give them support in court.

West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion, who has pushed for the SDVC to be re-instated, said: "I'm committed to ensuring that domestic abuse survivors are given the best possible support, throughout their journey through the criminal justice system."

Martin Lakeman, strategic coordinator for domestic abuse in Worcestershire said: "We have been working for some time with a range of agencies and most importantly with victim groups to re-instate these specialist courts which will place the victim at the heart of the process.

"The launch of this specialist court is a positive move forward."

Detective sergeant Jenni Price from Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police said: "Police are committed to working together with partner agencies to provide dedicated support to men and women suffering from any abuse; physical, emotional, psychological, financial or sexual."

Anyone who is suffering domestic abuse or concerned someone else is can contact police on 101 (always call 999 in an emergency) or the 24 hour domestic abuse helpline, 0800 980 3331.