A CHARITY tackling the abuse and neglect of older people has launched a new service offering tailored and specialist support for domestic violence.

In a UK first, Hourglass will offer older victims of domestic abuse in Sussex help from trained independent domestic violence advocates (IDVAs), who specialise in working with those over the age of 65.

The charity's three Sussex-based IDVAs will work up and down the county, with pop-up clinics where they can meet service users face to face.

The advocates will support people remotely at first, with the intention of establishing a physical base in the long-term.

Richard Robison, CEO of Hourglass, said: "This new service will help us build stronger, more targeted links into the local community in Sussex, allowing us to support individuals over a longer period of time to help them live safe and fulfilling lives.

"Abuse towards older people is an issue that needs addressing head on in communities across the UK and the provision of IDVAs is the way to do this. We're looking forward to rolling out this tailored and specialist support across Sussex and beyond."

The model in Sussex aims to act as a pilot for other specialist domestic abuse services across the UK, with Hourglass looking to collaborate with other charities and authorities to tackle domestic abuse across Sussex.

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said that she welcomes the initiative.

She said: "This important and much needed service will provide vital support to older people in our community who experience harm and abuse from those who they should be able to trust."

According to Hourglass, an estimated seven per cent of women and four per cent of men have experienced at least one episode of domestic abuse in the last year in Sussex.

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