Iris Programme
Aanchal Women’s Aid has successfully delivered the IRIS Programme across the London Borough of Redbridge and the London Borough of Havering, strengthening the healthcare response to domestic abuse and improving access to specialist support for women and families.
IRIS
Empowering Women Together
IRIS (Identification and Referral to Improve Safety) is a nationally recognised, evidence-based programme that works in partnership with GP practices to identify and support patients experiencing domestic abuse.
Through specialist training, ongoing support, and clear referral pathways, healthcare professionals are equipped with the confidence and skills to respond safely and effectively.
Delivery
Over the past three years, Aanchal’s delivery of IRIS across both boroughs has achieved significant and sustained impact. The programme has supported nearly 500 patients into Aanchal Women’s Aid domestic abuse services and delivered training to over 600 clinical staff and healthcare professionals, strengthening frontline responses and improving early identification.
Programme reports
Across both boroughs, programme reports highlight:
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Improved identification of domestic abuse within primary care settings
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Consistent referral pathways into specialist support services within Aanchal Women’s Aid
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Strong engagement from GP practices, including newly trained sites
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Earlier intervention, enabling women to access support at safer stages
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Support for women experiencing both current and historical abuse
Support
The programme has also demonstrated reach across diverse communities, supporting women from a wide range of backgrounds and ensuring access to culturally responsive, specialist support.
A key strength of IRIS has been its ability to embed domestic abuse awareness into everyday healthcare practice. Survivors are more likely to disclose abuse in trusted settings such as their GP, and through IRIS, they are met with informed, compassionate responses and direct access to specialist support.
Building on this success, Aanchal Women’s Aid is committed to continuing and strengthening the IRIS Programme across Redbridge and Havering. Future delivery will focus on expanding reach, deepening partnerships with primary care networks, and ensuring that more women are identified earlier and supported more effectively.
Our vision is clear: that every woman experiencing domestic abuse is recognised, responded to, and supported, wherever she first seeks help.