Agenda item

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Adults and Community which presented the recently revised Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy that the Halton Domestic Abuse Forum (HDAF) had produced for Members consideration.

 

The Board was advised that the Halton Domestic Abuse Forum (HDAF) had been established in 2003 to develop a multi agency partnership approach to addressing the issue of Domestic Abuse. 

 

The outcomes from this strategy and Forum approach had been:

 

·        Development and piloting of a local Specialist Domestic Violence Court (SDVC);

 

·        Re commissioning of a Domestic Abuse Service to move towards a one stop shop, including best practice Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs);

 

·        Commissioning of an Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA);

 

·        Piloting and introduction of the Community Domestic Violence Programme by Cheshire Probation;

 

·        Development of a Sanctuary Scheme to ensure victims are safe within their homes;

 

·        Development of a local survivors group;

 

·        Development of the local Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) processes;

 

·        Consistent awareness campaigns; and

 

·        Development of Multi Agency Training Schedule.

 

It was reported that underlying these accomplishments had been the development of a multi agency performance management framework to ensure progress and issues within this area could be identified.

 

The Board was further advised that The HDAF had now developed a refreshed Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy for the period 2011-2014.  This strategy was the product of a comprehensive review of local and national policy context across a multi agency arena.  It had adopted the focuses being echoed in central government reviews of Prevention, Provision, Protection and Partnership working.  It aimed to build on the progress achieved to date and highlight future focuses to be addressed. 

 

It was highlighted that the strategy outlined the specific actions involved in the achievement of these areas for development and had been designed to ensure flexibility in response to the forthcoming action plans central government had announced.

 

The Board also received a presentation from Rosie Lyden which:-

 

·        Explained the rationale for the strategy refresh;

 

·        Set out the process and research behind the new strategy document;

 

·        Highlighted the key issues identified for focus for 2011-14; and

 

·        Outlined some current challenges.

 

The following comments arose from the discussion:-

 

·        The Domestic Incidents list by Ward/Beat and how it was useful for Elected Members in their wards was noted;

 

·        It was noted that a significant number of domestic violence incidents were related to alcohol;

 

·        Concern was raised that people with learning difficulties and a disability could be vulnerable to domestic abuse and violence.  It was reported that it was important to obtain local data and some people with learning difficulties could be more at risk in certain categories such as sexual assault etc.  In addition, the Police had launched a new campaign which enabled individuals and neighbours to report possible incidents of domestic abuse anonymously via the internet.  There was also a dedicated telephone number available for individuals to ring and it was reported that this number would be circulated to all Members of the Board for information ;

 

·        Two leaflets were circulated for Members information on the Halton Domestic Abuse Forum (HDAF).  It was reported that the domestic abuse was a local service and an individual could go and talk to someone and a needs assessment would be undertaken.  The service was driven by risk and a support package was available i.e. police prosecution, basic safety training if the individual wished to return to the home, alternative housing, make the home safer and sometimes it was possible to remove the perpetrator.  The service was there to empower people and to link any young people into the appropriate services.  However, it was noted that there was a lot of work taking place to address domestic violence but there was not enough capacity and more work would need to be done on community awareness with a targeted intervention;

 

·        It was noted that statistics could be used to present data in various ways and the analysis of the data was important as it had an impact on the outcomes by identifying appropriate interventions;

 

·        It was noted that the evidence presented on Page 79, Figure 5 on the total domestic related reports in 2009/10 were higher during peak times ie. During the world cup, Christmas and the end of the football season etc, which highlighted the link between domestic violence and alcohol.  It was also noted that the Police were also visiting repeat perpetrators at peak times to re-assure people at risk and pre-empt any potential incidents;

 

·        It was noted that links were being built with children’s services to address the historical problems such as teenage pregnancy etc in the Borough; and

 

·        It was suggested that the HDAF be invited to a meeting of the Topic Group considering Domestic Abuse.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)                     the presentation be received;

 

(2)                     Rosie Lyden be thanked for her informative presentation; and

 

(3)                     The revised Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy be supported; and

 

(4)                     The comments raised be noted.