Agenda item

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities which gave the Members an update in relation to the activities being supported across the Borough in response to domestic abuse and sexual violence.

The Board was advised that the Home Office definition of domestic abuse  had been amended from March 2013 with two important changes: firstly, the inclusion of and the recognition of 16 and 17-year-olds as victims of domestic abuse and; secondly, spelling out controlling and coercive behaviour in the definition strengthened the message that all domestic violence was abuse but not all domestic abuse was violence. Many victims were constantly being controlled by their partners but may not realise the implications on their safety and safety of their children.

The Board was further advised that a locally delivered perpetrator programme was currently under development. Initial discussions with Halton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and a locally commissioned provider had all been well received; funding was in place to deliver a one 26 week programme for 8 male perpetrators. The programme would be initially delivered as a pilot.  However, it was reported that if it was successful the CCG had agreed to assist in determining a sustainable pathway.  It was highlighted that the service would only be available to adult male perpetrators as some of the content would be delivered in a group setting.

Furthermore, it was reported that the Children and Enterprise Directorate were currently commissioning a service for children and young people affected by domestic violence, based on an analysis of need in Halton.  The Board noted the activities the service would provide.

It was also reported that following the amendment of the definition of domestic violence to include 16 and 17 years old young people, the Government had funded Co-Ordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse (CAADA) to support local authorities to train a Young Persons Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (YIDVA), and to develop performance reporting systems to help each area to identify their local issues. The YIDVA for Halton had recently started and would be attending training by September 2013.

In conclusion, it was reported that the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) had published a review of the service (Cheshire and Merseyside) -  Supporting survivors: The value.

The report summarised the hard and soft findings of the review and the importance of the service in the current environment - an environment that was financially challenging but where demand was increasing. The profile of sexual violence had increased on the political, health and criminal justice agenda, but better funding was required to enable RASASC to support and counsel more survivors through the legal system and beyond, and to launch vital prevention schemes.

The following comments arose from the discussion:-

·             It was noted that the UK Children and Families Minister MP Edward Timpson had stated that a new law placing a legal duty on social workers, doctors and teachers to report child abuse would not have saved Daniel Pelka and that mandatory reporting was not the answer to providing better protection for children against physical and emotional abuse and neglect; 

·             The Board agreed that lessons should be learned and agencies should be sharing information;

·             It was agreed that the case histories enabled Members to have a greater understanding of the issue;

·             It was noted that Halton Borough Council had very good reporting structures in place and good working relationships.  However, concern was raised regarding the future with the budgetary situation and staff losses;

·             The Board noted that a lot of good work was taking place in the Borough to address domestic and sexual violence.  It was also reported that the Police and Crime Commissioner was keen on dealing with this issue, particularly the malicious use of police time; and

·             The Board congratulated Officers on the work they had undertaken and the content of the report.  It was also agreed that the Board receive regular update reports.

RESOLVED: That the report and comments raised be noted.