Publication of the Companion Guide to the Domestic Abuse Court Advocacy Standards

Between October 2022 and February 2024, an extensive programme of research and engagement was completed by the DACA Accreditation Project to understand the requirements for the Domestic Abuse Court Advocacy Standards.  It involved a review of academic literature, engagement with people with lived expertise and professionals across criminal justice and domestic abuse services. 

The academic literature, the interviewees and professionals all painted a clear picture; domestic abuse court advocacy can have a powerful, positive impact. Its absence creates significant gaps for individuals navigating the criminal justice system, and its availability remains inconsistent across Scotland. 

From this, the purpose of the Domestic Abuse Court Advocacy Standards became clear, the Standards had to function as a means to:  

• Communicate what domestic abuse court advocacy is;  

• Foster a shared understanding of the potential for DACA Services to improve criminal justice journeys; 

• Accredit DACA services to ensure consistency and cohesion.  

  
  

We intended the Standards to be meaningful to clients, potential clients, and practitioners. By making the Standards accessible and transparent, we hoped they could empower individuals to choose to engage with DACA services, and support professionals to work collaboratively toward a consistent, high-quality response. 

We believe that DACA services have the potential to greatly improve their client's experiences of the criminal justice process;  

 “From day one…so you know you've not been forgotten and they are remembering you"

(lived expertise interview)

The Standards are a collaborative response to the negative criminal justice experiences shared with us. They are grounded in lived expertise and professional practice and can only be achieved through effective partnership working between DACA services, criminal justice professionals and clients.   

Our recently published Companion Guide outlines the rationale behind the Standards, the evidence that informed their development, and the role they are intended to play. By clearly communicating their purpose, intent and evidence base, we aim to support a consistent and unified use of the Standards. 

We would like to thank the survivors who have shared their expertise and experiences with us, the practitioners, professionals and academics who have participated in the research.  Without your insight, this report and the Standards would not have been possible.