Safe Newcastle Domestic Violence Strategy - Newcastle City Council
Safe Newcastle Domestic Violence Strategy - Newcastle City Council
Safe Newcastle Domestic Violence Strategy - Newcastle City Council
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Better Lives,<br />
Stronger Communities.<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong><br />
and Abuse Reduction <strong>Strategy</strong><br />
2006-2008
1) Introduction and Aims – page 2<br />
2) Executive Summary – page 4<br />
3) Understanding <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> and Abuse – page 6<br />
4 ) Context of <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> Nationally – page 8<br />
5) Context of <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> and Abuse in <strong>Newcastle</strong> – page 10<br />
6) Current Activity – page 14<br />
7) Governance and Accountability Structures – page 22<br />
8) <strong>Strategy</strong> Development – page 24<br />
9) Performance Management and Implementation – page 25<br />
10) Glossary – page 26<br />
Appendix 1<br />
Appendix 2<br />
Appendix 3 – Action Plan (separate document)<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
Foreword<br />
Who experiences domestic abuse?<br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> abuse is not limited to any particular<br />
type of person or relationship. Anyone can<br />
experience domestic abuse.<br />
Research evidence indicates that the majority of<br />
domestic violence is abuse of women by men,<br />
but domestic abuse also occurs in same-sex<br />
relationships, in heterosexual relationships when<br />
As men members are abused of <strong>Safe</strong> by women <strong>Newcastle</strong>, and inwe caring fully and<br />
support other family and relationships, endorse the <strong>Newcastle</strong> for example <strong>Domestic</strong> when<br />
<strong>Violence</strong> grown upand children Abuse useReduction violence against <strong>Strategy</strong> their<br />
2006-2008.<br />
parents. Lack of relevant research means that<br />
much less is known about these forms of<br />
We domestic would abuse. urge everyone to read the strategy,<br />
to discuss it and to sign up to being a part of the<br />
implementation Acknowledging that process. domestic abuse affects a<br />
range of people does not diminish the experience<br />
Why? of heterosexual women survivors/victims.<br />
The <strong>Domestic</strong> issue of abuse domestic also affects violence those and people of abuse who<br />
within are not relationships being directly is abused. a clear priority It harms for children, the city of<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> damages family upon relationships Tyne. and causes<br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> friendships violence to breakand down. abuse Thewithin costsrelationships<br />
to the<br />
has survivor a significant and those impact around upon them the are lives extensive. of children<br />
and Victims families and survivors from all social, do not religious, want to be and abused, cultural<br />
groups. nor do they actively seek out violent partners and<br />
The people, impact but of perpetrators domestic violence are sometimes and abuse skilled<br />
affects at identifying everyone. people who may be vulnerable.<br />
With <strong>Domestic</strong> the introduction abuse is experienced of a best value differently performance<br />
indicator, according all toservices gender, whether age, ethnicity statutory, race, private,<br />
voluntary social class, or independent religion or sexual will have identity. to work Societal<br />
together oppression to tackle and discrimination, domestic violence such as and sexism, abuse.<br />
Our racism effectiveness and homophobia will be monitored make harder and for<br />
evaluated. victims andThis survivors opportunity to protect should themselves not be or<br />
underestimated.<br />
get support and therefore make it easier for<br />
perpetrators to get away with using violence.<br />
far left<br />
Chief Supt Chris Machell<br />
Northumbria Police<br />
Acting Chair of <strong>Safe</strong> <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
left<br />
Who commits domestic violence?<br />
Jacqui There Sirs is no typical perpetrator. Just as anyone can<br />
Assistant Director of Children’s<br />
Services become Barnardo’s a victim North of East domestic abuse, so<br />
perpetrators come from a range of social<br />
backgrounds, can be men or women, heterosexual,<br />
right lesbian or gay. Research shows that most<br />
Danny Ruta<br />
perpetrators of domestic violence are men.<br />
Acting Director of Public Health<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> Primary Care Trust<br />
Perpetrators choose to use systematic violence<br />
We against want others to implement because the they strategy have learnt in a way that that this<br />
makes enablesit them clear to maintain everyone their in <strong>Newcastle</strong> control. that they<br />
have Perpetrators a part to make play in amaking conscious a difference. decision to abuse<br />
people; it does not happen because they are out of<br />
We control want or to because provide hope, they are safety, provoked. and justice to<br />
all affected by domestic violence and abuse.<br />
We Links also between want to be Child more Abuse aspirational in our<br />
approach, and <strong>Domestic</strong> which <strong>Violence</strong> means we want to prevent<br />
domestic There is aviolence strong link from between happening childin abuse the first and<br />
place. domestic This violence will mean: which is now firmly<br />
acknowledged and embedded in the Government’s<br />
• Changing public attitudes and supporting<br />
approach to safeguarding children. Research<br />
safer communities<br />
demonstrates that children and young people can<br />
• be Working negatively with affected young people by domestic on respect violence within in all<br />
aspects relationships of their lives, however service responses<br />
are inconsistent and frequently fail to address<br />
• Providing help for victims of domestic violence<br />
children’s needs. Statistics show that 75% of child<br />
and abuse as early as possible<br />
protection registrations result from children<br />
• experiencing Developing explicit or witnessing support domestic for children violence. who On<br />
both experience a national domestic and a local violence level, and we know abuse that<br />
• serious Preventing injuryperpetrators death occur re-offending as a consequence by holding of<br />
domestic them accountable violence. for their actions<br />
We Theare Adoption confident andthat Children if we work Act 2002 together established flexibly<br />
and thatcreatively, children suffer if we harm are clear as aabout resulthow of witnessing the issue<br />
of violence domestic andviolence abuse. The and Children abuse fits Act within 2002 our<br />
respective imposes new agendas dutiesand on Local priorities Authorities and if we totake<br />
ensure<br />
responsibility local cooperation for implementing to improve wellbeing, the actions make<br />
contained arrangements in the tostrategy safeguard we children can make and a to<br />
difference. improve information sharing.<br />
Chief Supt Chris Machell<br />
Northumbria Police<br />
Acting Chair of <strong>Safe</strong> <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
Jacqui Sirs<br />
Assistant Director of Children’s<br />
Services Barnardo’s North East<br />
Danny Ruta<br />
Acting Director of Public Health<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> Primary Care Trust<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
1. Introduction <br />
and Aims<br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> violence is a serious social and criminal<br />
problem that accounts for almost a quarter of all<br />
violent crime and has significant human and<br />
financial consequences for individuals, families,<br />
communities and society as a whole.<br />
The <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> and Abuse<br />
Partnership (NDVAP) will deliver through<br />
partnership a coherent and effective response<br />
which provides hope, safety and justice to all those<br />
affected by domestic violence. The NDVAP will<br />
also seek to ensure that a cultural change in<br />
relation to domestic violence takes place and<br />
that the prevention of domestic violence is given<br />
the highest priority. The NDVAP commits to the<br />
continuation of this work until domestic violence<br />
is eradicated.<br />
The Aims of this <strong>Strategy</strong> are:<br />
– To prevent abuse through education and<br />
awareness raising<br />
– To improve the protection and safety of victims/<br />
survivors of domestic violence and their children<br />
– To hold perpetrators to account and to provide<br />
a range of responses which increase the safety<br />
of victims and their children<br />
– To ensure appropriate, accessible services are<br />
provided to all victims of domestic violence<br />
– To raise awareness of the scope and nature of<br />
domestic violence in <strong>Newcastle</strong> via training and<br />
campaigning<br />
– To ensure the domestic violence strategy<br />
maintains and develops complementary links<br />
to other relevant strategies at both national and<br />
local levels<br />
– To ensure that <strong>Newcastle</strong> has an effective<br />
partnership structure which allows the delivery<br />
of the objectives of the strategy through a<br />
coordinated response<br />
This strategy will focus on successful outcomes<br />
through rigorous data collection and performance<br />
management.<br />
2 <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
Victims Voices<br />
Peter, Father of three,<br />
contacted the <strong>Domestic</strong><br />
<strong>Violence</strong> Protection<br />
Project after suffering<br />
domestic violence in<br />
silence for four years.<br />
“She woke me up by hitting me. I have a laceration<br />
to my neck, then she spat in my face. I don’t feel<br />
well at all. She has burnt my face with a kettle. I<br />
want her kept away from us. I can’t go anywhere<br />
looking like this. I’ve had enough of life now. There<br />
is just no point in it.”<br />
Intervention<br />
A Victim Support worker tried to telephone Peter<br />
several times but there was no answer. She then<br />
contacted the police and together they went to<br />
Peter’s home. They found Peter very distressed<br />
and confused. A risk assessment confirmed he<br />
was a ‘high risk’ victim. The Victim Support worker<br />
sat down with Peter and worked out a safety plan.<br />
Support was provided to help Peter move out of<br />
his home.<br />
After<br />
“I would like to thank you for your phone call<br />
yesterday and the relief that at last someone<br />
believes me. Having someone to help me has<br />
brought tears of joy to me that I haven’t had for<br />
many years. Thank you for that and I will see you<br />
soon, there’s so much I need to tell you.”<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
2. Executive<br />
Summary<br />
This is <strong>Newcastle</strong>’s first ever stand alone domestic<br />
violence strategy, effective from September 2006<br />
to March 2008.<br />
The strategy has been developed by the <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> and Abuse Partnership<br />
(NDVAP), which brings together all key agencies<br />
who provide services and responses to victims<br />
of domestic violence.<br />
All agencies included in the partnership are<br />
committed to working pro-actively to safeguard<br />
adults and children and indeed whole communities<br />
from harm due to domestic violence.<br />
The partnership believes that multi-agency<br />
working is the most effective way to prevent<br />
domestic violence occurring and to reduce the<br />
impact on victims and their children.<br />
This strategy identifies and outlines the actions to<br />
be undertaken by the <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong><br />
and Abuse Partnership in order to improve services<br />
for all victims of domestic violence regardless of<br />
age, gender, race, colour, nationality or ethnic origin,<br />
disability, faith, marital status, family circumstances,<br />
sexual orientation or class.<br />
Our priorities are organised into 3 main challenges:<br />
• Prevention<br />
• Protection<br />
• Provision<br />
Prevention:<br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> violence is a serious and pervasive<br />
human right issue. Our aim is to work towards a<br />
future in which all forms of domestic violence are<br />
considered unacceptable.<br />
Protection:<br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> violence is both a social and, in some cases<br />
criminal problem. Our aim is to safeguard victims<br />
by increasing their choices and improving both the<br />
civil and criminal justice systems in <strong>Newcastle</strong>.<br />
Provision:<br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> violence affects everyone. Services<br />
and responses need therefore to be appropriate<br />
for all victims.<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
“From first meeting to<br />
present day, the <strong>Domestic</strong><br />
<strong>Violence</strong> Protection<br />
Project has been a<br />
constant support and I<br />
truly believe them being<br />
there has helped me<br />
through my ordeal and<br />
I wouldn’t have been<br />
strong enough to keep<br />
myself going without<br />
them. Nothing was ever<br />
a problem, and I think<br />
the service provided is<br />
essential to help people<br />
to see the light at the end<br />
of the tunnel and making<br />
sure these crimes are<br />
brought to justice.”<br />
Karen, <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
3. Understanding <br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> <br />
andAbuse<br />
What is <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> and Abuse?<br />
Defining domestic violence has historically proved to<br />
be problematic. In 2005 the Government agreed a<br />
core definition of domestic violence as follows;<br />
“Any incident of threatening behaviour violence or<br />
abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or<br />
emotional) between adults who are or have been<br />
intimate partners or family members, regardless of<br />
gender or sexuality”.<br />
The Government also made explicit that such issues<br />
as forced marriage, female genital mutilation and<br />
honour killings are encompassed within this<br />
definition.<br />
In order to achieve consistency across all agencies<br />
and sectors, the <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> and<br />
Abuse Partnership intends to adopt the<br />
Government’s definition. There are considerable<br />
benefits to be gained from a shared common<br />
definition, however the NDVAP additionally believe<br />
that in order to fully understand the complexities of<br />
domestic violence the following factors need also to<br />
be considered.<br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> violence is a systematic pattern of abuse<br />
that is committed within a current or non-current<br />
partner or family relationship. It is rarely a one off<br />
event. It includes a range of abusive behaviors that<br />
tend to escalate over time, and can occur in new<br />
relationships or after many years.<br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> violence includes,<br />
but is not limited to:<br />
Physical violence: for example<br />
Slapping, pushing, kicking, stabbing, damage to<br />
property or items of sentimental value, attempted<br />
murder or murder<br />
Sexual violence: for example<br />
Any non-consensual sexual activity, including rape,<br />
sexual assault, coercive sexual activity, or refusing<br />
safe sex<br />
Restricting freedom: for example<br />
Controlling whom you see or where you go, what<br />
you wear or what you do, stalking, imprisonment,<br />
forced marriage<br />
Emotional/psychological abuse: for example<br />
Intimidation, social isolation, verbal abuse,<br />
humiliation, constant criticism, enforced trivial<br />
routines<br />
Economic abuse: for example<br />
Stealing, depriving or taking control of money,<br />
running up debts, withholding benefits books or<br />
bank cards<br />
6 <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
1<br />
British Crime Survey:<br />
England and Wales (2000)<br />
London: Home Office<br />
2<br />
Reder P and Duncan S (1999),<br />
Lost innocents. A follow-up study<br />
of fatal child abuse.<br />
London, Routledge.<br />
3<br />
Part 8 enquiries<br />
Why does domestic violence happen?<br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> violence happens because perpetrators<br />
choose to use abuse to exert and maintain power and<br />
control over another person or persons. The abuse<br />
continues when there are no negative consequences<br />
fortheperpetrator,ortheconsequences are not severe<br />
enough. Their choice to use violence is usually a<br />
significantly ingrained pattern of behavior.<br />
Victims and survivors find it hard to end the abuse<br />
because domestic violence is a crime that is often<br />
secret, difficult to accept and because they care<br />
about the perpetrator. They may also fear that telling<br />
someone about the abuse will make it worse.<br />
Other people who know about the abuse can<br />
sometimes, consciously or unconsciously, collude<br />
with the perpetrator and allow the pattern of abuse to<br />
continue. Friends, family or professionals can do this<br />
by minimising the abuse, refusing to believe the<br />
person who is being abused or saying that they<br />
deserve it. Doing nothing is also a form of collusion.<br />
Who experiences domestic violence?<br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> violence is not limited to any particular type<br />
of person or relationship. Anyone can experience<br />
domestic violence.<br />
Research evidence 1 indicates that the majority of<br />
domestic violence is abuse of women by men, but<br />
domestic violence also occurs in same-sex<br />
relationships, in heterosexual relationships when men<br />
are abused by women and in caring and other family<br />
relationships, for example when grown up children use<br />
violence against their parents. Lack of relevant<br />
research means that much less is known about these<br />
forms of domestic violence.<br />
Acknowledging that domestic violence affects a<br />
range of people does not diminish the experience<br />
of heterosexual women survivors/victims.<br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> violence also affects those people who are<br />
not being directly abused. It harms children, damages<br />
family relationships and causes friendships to break<br />
down. The costs to the survivor and those around<br />
them are extensive.<br />
Victims and survivors do not want to be abused, nor<br />
do they actively seek out violent partners and people,<br />
but perpetrators are sometimes skilled at identifying<br />
people who may be vulnerable.<br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> violence is experienced differently<br />
according to gender, age, ethnicity or race, social<br />
class, religion or sexual identity. Societal oppression<br />
and discrimination, such as sexism, racism and<br />
homophobia make it harder for victims and<br />
survivors to protect themselves or get support and<br />
therefore make it easier for perpetrators to get<br />
away with using violence.<br />
Who commits domestic violence?<br />
There is no typical perpetrator. Just as anyone can<br />
become a victim of domestic abuse, so perpetrators<br />
come from a range of social backgrounds, can be<br />
men or women, heterosexual, lesbian or gay.<br />
Research shows that most perpetrators of<br />
domestic violence are men.<br />
Perpetrators choose to use systematic violence<br />
against others because they have learnt that this<br />
enables them to maintain their control. Perpetrators<br />
make a conscious decision to abuse people; it does<br />
not happen because they are out of control or<br />
because they are provoked.<br />
Links between Child Abuse and <strong>Domestic</strong><br />
<strong>Violence</strong>.<br />
There is a strong link between child abuse and<br />
domestic violence which is now firmly acknowledged<br />
and embedded in the Government’s approach to<br />
safeguarding children. Research demonstrates that<br />
children and young people can be negatively<br />
affected by domestic violence in all aspects of their<br />
lives, however service responses are inconsistent<br />
and frequently fail to address children’s needs.<br />
Statistics show that up to one third of child protection<br />
registrations result from children experiencing or<br />
witnessing domestic violence. On both a national 2<br />
and local level, 3 we know that serious injury or<br />
death occur as a consequence of domestic violence.<br />
The Adoption and Children Act 2002 established<br />
that children suffer harm as a result of witnessing<br />
violence and abuse. The Children Act 2002 imposes<br />
new duties on Local Authorities to ensure local<br />
cooperation to improve wellbeing, make<br />
arrangements to safeguard children and to improve<br />
information sharing.<br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> violence is also strongly identified within<br />
Every Child Matters: Change for Children 2004, the<br />
Government’s approach to the well being of children<br />
and young people, as a cause of vulnerability which<br />
has a negative impact across the five outcomes<br />
identified:<br />
– Be healthy<br />
– Stay safe<br />
– Enjoy and achieve<br />
– Make a positive contribution<br />
– Achieve economic well being<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
4. Context of <strong>Domestic</strong><br />
<strong>Violence</strong> Nationally<br />
Policy context driving the <strong>Newcastle</strong> agenda<br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> violence is a widespread social problem<br />
and criminal issue that causes huge amounts of<br />
suffering. <strong>Domestic</strong> violence has always existed in<br />
all social, geographical, religious and cultural<br />
groups. Until the 1970s domestic violence was<br />
viewed as a private matter and wide spread<br />
tolerance existed.<br />
4.1 Crime & Disorder Act 1998<br />
In recent years, the issue of domestic violence has<br />
received greater public and political attention at a<br />
national level. Home Office guidance, in the form<br />
of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, places an<br />
expectation on statutory Crime and Disorder<br />
Reduction Partnerships to identify the level of<br />
domestic violence in their area and to develop<br />
strategies to address it, as part of the wider<br />
reduction of crime strategy.<br />
4.2 <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> Crime & Victims Act<br />
In June 2003 the Government published its<br />
consultation document <strong>Safe</strong>ty and Justice, setting<br />
out its proposals to prevent domestic violence,<br />
improve support and protection for victims and<br />
bring more perpetrators to justice. From this<br />
came the <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong>, Crime and Victims<br />
Act published in December 2003 which includes<br />
the following measures:<br />
– Significant new police powers to deal with<br />
domestic violence include, making both common<br />
assault and breach of a non-molestation order an<br />
arrestable offence and extending the availability<br />
of restraining orders<br />
– Provision for an independent commissioner and<br />
a code of practice for victims of crime, and<br />
establishing a system to review homicides at<br />
a multi agency level, identifying lessons to<br />
be learnt<br />
– Strengthening the civil law on domestic violence<br />
so that cohabiting same sex couples have the<br />
same protection as heterosexual couples<br />
4.3 National <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> Reduction<br />
Delivery Plan<br />
Underpinning the commitment of the Government<br />
is a National <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> Reduction Delivery<br />
Plan focusing on 5 identified outcomes which the<br />
Government has committed to achieve.<br />
These are to:<br />
1) reduce the prevalence of domestic violence,<br />
particularly in relation to high incidence areas<br />
and/or communities<br />
2) increase the rate that domestic violence is<br />
reported, particularly in the high incidence areas<br />
and/or communities<br />
3) increase the rate of reporting of domestic<br />
violence and the number of offences that are<br />
brought to justice<br />
8 <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
4) ensure that victims of domestic violence are<br />
adequately protected and supported<br />
5) reduce the rate of domestic violence related<br />
homicides<br />
These key outcomes will inform the outcomes of<br />
the <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> and Abuse<br />
Reduction <strong>Strategy</strong>.<br />
4.4 BVPI<br />
In April 2005 the revised Best Value Performance<br />
Indicator, BVPI 225 (see appendix 1) came into<br />
force. Prior to the BVPI relating to domestic<br />
violence, local authorities measured only the<br />
number of refuge spaces provided and therefore<br />
did not reflect the wide range of strategic and<br />
operational activities that are needed to<br />
effectively tackle domestic violence. The<br />
purpose of the revised BVPI is to assess the<br />
overall provision and effectiveness of local<br />
authority services designed to help victims<br />
of domestic violence and to prevent further<br />
incidents.<br />
The development of this strategy has been<br />
informed by the following national strategies,<br />
legislation, guidance and policies.<br />
National:<br />
Forced Marriages Guidelines<br />
Female Genital Mutilation Act (2003)<br />
Children and Young People’s and Maternity Services<br />
National Services Framework<br />
Supporting Local Delivery<br />
Draft Children (Contact) Adoption Bill 2005<br />
CENTREX Guidance on Policing <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong><br />
Every Child Matters – Change for Children 2004<br />
Children’s Act 2004<br />
Working Together to <strong>Safe</strong> Guard Children<br />
Good Practice Guidance for Children who have<br />
witnessed <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong><br />
Green Paper ‘Parental Separation, Childrens’ Needs<br />
and Parent’s Responsibilities’<br />
Crime and Disorder Act (1998), including Section 17<br />
Freedom of Information Act 2005<br />
<strong>Safe</strong>ty and Justice – sharing personal information<br />
in the context of domestic violence<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
5. Context of<br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> and<br />
Abuse in <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
5.1 The <strong>City</strong> of <strong>Newcastle</strong> upon Tyne<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> serves as the regional capital for a<br />
population of over two million people across North<br />
East England. <strong>Newcastle</strong> is also a local authority<br />
serving 266,000 people within its administrative<br />
boundary.<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> is a city of influence that exhibits the<br />
diversity of the region. It includes a lively city<br />
centre that provides entertainment, employment<br />
and commerce for people throughout the North<br />
East and visitors from around the country and<br />
beyond. The residents are diverse with affluent<br />
rural and semi-rural areas to the north and west<br />
and areas of significant deprivation in the east and<br />
inner west. Minority ethnic communities make up<br />
6.9 percent of the population. This proportion is<br />
higher among young people from minority ethnic<br />
groups who make up 10 percent of the school<br />
population.<br />
In the decade between 1991 and 2001 the<br />
population of <strong>Newcastle</strong> decreased by 5.6<br />
percent. The rate of decline peaked at an<br />
approximate loss of 1,900 people each year over<br />
the last five years of the decade. However, since<br />
2001 the indications are that population loss has<br />
stabilized with the latest mid-year estimates<br />
indicating a modest growth in population. More<br />
than two-fifths of the population live in the twelve<br />
wards that are among the 10 percent most<br />
deprived wards nationally and five wards are in<br />
the 1 percent most deprived. Falling population<br />
is both a symptom and a cause of <strong>Newcastle</strong>’s<br />
problems. In affluent areas of <strong>Newcastle</strong> there is<br />
a severe housing shortage and high house prices.<br />
This contrasts with large numbers of empty<br />
houses, high levels of long-term unemployment<br />
and low levels of educational attainment in the east<br />
and inner west areas.<br />
Life expectancy figures are below the national<br />
average with male life expectancy in 2001 being<br />
73.7 (England and Wales average 76) and female<br />
being 79.1 (England and Wales average 80.6).<br />
22 percent of people in <strong>Newcastle</strong> live with a long<br />
term limiting illness, as opposed to an England and<br />
Wales average of 18 percent. Teenage pregnancy<br />
rates are also 16.1 points higher than the England<br />
and Wales average – 59.9 per 1000; 15 to 17 year<br />
olds in <strong>Newcastle</strong>.<br />
Educational attainment overall is lower than the<br />
national average with nearly a third of <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
people having no qualifications, however progress<br />
is being made in this area and recent performance<br />
shows an encouraging uplift in attainment levels.<br />
0 <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
1<br />
Incidents are recorded at the<br />
first point of contact, usually an<br />
emergency 999 call and telephone<br />
operators collect as much<br />
information as they can about the<br />
incident. Electronic data collection<br />
enables operators to identify repeat<br />
incidents and to flag outstanding<br />
court orders (assuming they have<br />
been entered on the system).<br />
Once the incident is resolved<br />
officers update the initial on-screen<br />
record reporting details using an<br />
11 points pro forma that covers<br />
the name, address, date of birth,<br />
ethnicity, details of the relationship,<br />
children, the incident and its<br />
outcomes.<br />
Local Evidence Base<br />
A number of agencies collect data relating to<br />
domestic violence and the specific services they<br />
offer, for example in 2004/05, 145 women were<br />
accepted by the Local Authority as homeless and<br />
in priority need because of domestic violence.<br />
However, Northumbria Police are currently the<br />
sole organisation operating across <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
that can be regarded as collecting and<br />
maintaining domestic violence incident data. 1<br />
In 2004/2005, 4422 incidents were reported<br />
to Northumbria Police. Increasing the cities<br />
evidence base of both the prevalence and nature<br />
of domestic violence is a key challenge. Current<br />
statistics demonstrate that there are significantly<br />
more recorded incidents of domestic violence in<br />
specific areas of the city, and services will be<br />
targeted accordingly.<br />
Local Strategies that informed the<br />
development of this strategy<br />
Supporting People 5 Year Commissioning<br />
<strong>Strategy</strong> 2005-06/2009-10<br />
“Sets out plans to commission and monitor<br />
accommodation and support services for the<br />
following groups, to help service users establish<br />
and maintain independent living.”<br />
– Homeless people, including homeless families<br />
– Offenders/ex offenders<br />
– Substance misusers, including drugs and<br />
alcohol<br />
– Women at risk of domestic violence<br />
– Young people at risk, young people leaving<br />
care<br />
– Refugees<br />
– People with a physical or sensory disability<br />
– People with mental health problems<br />
– People with learning disabilities<br />
– Travellers<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong> Strategic Housing<br />
Homelessness <strong>Strategy</strong> 2003<br />
This <strong>Strategy</strong> has five main themes:<br />
– Partnerships to prevent homelessness<br />
– Meeting Government aims<br />
– Good quality advice and support<br />
– Meeting accommodation needs and<br />
– Information, communication and training<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong> Race Equality Scheme<br />
(Draft) 2005<br />
Under its race equality objectives <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong><br />
<strong>Council</strong> agrees to:<br />
– Challenge racism by our employees, other<br />
organisations and users of our services<br />
– Deal effectively and consistently with racial<br />
harassment and violence<br />
– Support campaigns and activities for achieving<br />
full equality for black and minority ethnic people,<br />
as employees of the <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong> and as users<br />
of services in <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />
Northumbria Police Local Policing Plan<br />
In <strong>Newcastle</strong> Area Command, the policing<br />
priorities for 2005-06 were:<br />
– Citizen focus including addressing the needs of<br />
victims and witnesses<br />
– Reducing crime, focusing on criminal damage,<br />
burglary and violent crime<br />
– Investigating crime through improved<br />
intelligence gathering, and paying greater<br />
attention to and providing support for victims<br />
and witnesses<br />
– Promoting public safety with the Public<br />
Protection Unit focused on those who are<br />
particularly vulnerable<br />
– Providing assistance<br />
– Resource use<br />
These priorities are aligned with the National<br />
Policing Plan.<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
5. Context of domestic violence <br />
and abuse in <strong>Newcastle</strong> continued<br />
Your Homes <strong>Newcastle</strong>, Delivery Plan 2006-07<br />
Two out of their seven stated strategic objectives<br />
are to:<br />
Increase choice and expand their business by:<br />
– delivering an expanded range of “added value”<br />
support services to tenants<br />
– attracting new customers for their core services<br />
– offering more choice to customers and potential<br />
customers by increased joint working with other<br />
agencies, particularly other housing providers<br />
through Your Choice Homes<br />
– offering a range of services that meet the<br />
changing needs of their tenants as they<br />
progress through the different stages of life<br />
– meeting the diverse range of needs that exist in<br />
the community and respond to new needs as<br />
they emerge<br />
Be responsible to the community by:<br />
– working with their tenants and other agencies to<br />
make the <strong>City</strong> a safer place to live<br />
– working to ensure that people from all the<br />
communities that live here find <strong>Newcastle</strong> to be<br />
a <strong>City</strong> that supports them and welcomes the<br />
contribution they make<br />
– providing vulnerable people with the support<br />
they need to live independently<br />
– being a good employer, bringing investment,<br />
training and jobs to the <strong>City</strong><br />
– working with partners to maximise the social<br />
and economic well-being of tenants and<br />
leaseholders<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong>’s Children and Young People’s<br />
Strategic Partnership: A <strong>Strategy</strong> for <strong>Newcastle</strong>’s<br />
Children and Young People 2004<br />
The main themes of this strategy are:<br />
– The rights of children and young people to have<br />
access to excellent public services<br />
– A commitment to end the social exclusion of<br />
young people by removing the negative effects<br />
of social exclusion on their development and the<br />
risk of becoming socially excluded as adults<br />
– That children and young people should have the<br />
choice to contribute to their local community, be<br />
heard and be valued as responsible citizens.<br />
The vision for children and young people<br />
is for them to:<br />
– Enjoy the best physical, emotional and spiritual<br />
health and development so that they feel good<br />
about themselves and their lives<br />
– Be safe and protected from harm within their<br />
families and communities<br />
– Be fulfilled, enjoying and achieving in all areas of<br />
their life – in particular education<br />
– Take part in all areas of their life<br />
– Live free from poverty and hardship<br />
North East Regional Resettlement <strong>Strategy</strong>;<br />
Government Office for the North East 2005<br />
– Enable a coordinated and integrated response to<br />
the resettlement and rehabilitation of offenders<br />
– Reduce the risk of harm to victims, communities<br />
and vulnerable groups<br />
– Contribute to the building of safer communities<br />
through the provision of effective programmes<br />
for offenders before, during and post custody<br />
– To play a part in the regeneration of the region by<br />
helping build safer communities<br />
2 <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
6. Current Activity<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> is currently under performing in some<br />
of the key service provision areas which relate to<br />
domestic violence. Historically, services in<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> have developed without a strategic<br />
framework or commissioning process leading to<br />
responses that are in some cases of high quality<br />
but in most cases patchy and inconsistent.<br />
A recent audit commissioned by the <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> Forum and published by the<br />
Community <strong>Safe</strong>ty Research Unit of Northumbria<br />
University (July, 2005) highlighted notable gaps in<br />
service provision which need to be urgently<br />
addressed. The recommendations identified that:<br />
i. A strategic partnership approach was essential<br />
to the delivery of improved responses in relation to<br />
domestic violence.<br />
ii. The <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> and Abuse<br />
Partnership needs to establish a consistent<br />
approach to supporting victims, raise awareness<br />
of services and create a climate of non tolerance<br />
of domestic violence across <strong>Newcastle</strong>.<br />
iii. The partnership needs to address the following<br />
key challenges:<br />
– Appropriate support for victims, including those<br />
within the BME communities<br />
– Appropriate support for children who witness<br />
domestic violence and preventative work in<br />
schools and youth groups<br />
– Measures that challenge perpetrators of<br />
domestic violence, including the development of<br />
non-court mandated group work programmes<br />
– Suitable safe secure accommodation for victims,<br />
primarily women and their children<br />
In recognition of the need to improve responses<br />
to domestic violence, the Local Authority has<br />
demonstrated significant commitment to<br />
transforming the delivery of services and<br />
responses to those at risk due to domestic<br />
violence by taking a lead role in coordinating multiagency<br />
partnership and increasing the resources<br />
available. It is envisaged therefore that during the<br />
lifespan of this strategy <strong>Newcastle</strong> will dramatically<br />
improve both its responses to, and its services for,<br />
all those at risk due to domestic violence.<br />
6.1 The Full Circle Project (renamed <strong>Domestic</strong><br />
<strong>Violence</strong> Protection Project) – partnership in<br />
service provision.<br />
The Full Circle Project is a multi-service 1 domestic<br />
violence advocacy and support project funded by<br />
the Neighborhood Renewal Fund (NRF). It has<br />
been in existence since April 2005 and is a<br />
collaboration between Victim Support,<br />
Northumbria Police, Womens Aid, Panah<br />
(BME Refuge) and <strong>Safe</strong> <strong>Newcastle</strong>.<br />
Workers from Victim Support are co-located with<br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> Liaison Officers (DVLO’s) within<br />
the Public Protection Unit (PPU), Etal Lane.<br />
The project has a coherent strategy and policy<br />
steer, provided by a steering group.<br />
Aims and Objectives<br />
Aims<br />
The project aims to increase support to victims/<br />
survivors of domestic violence by proactively<br />
supporting them at the earliest opportunity.<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
Number<br />
Objectives<br />
– To provide a victim’s needs led support and<br />
advocacy service<br />
– To reduce the time spent on support activities<br />
by <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> Liaison Officers (DVLOs)<br />
and free up their time to concentrate on<br />
policing duties, including intelligence<br />
gathering and monitoring high risk victims<br />
– To increase the referrals made by frontline<br />
officers (via the 11 point plan, Appendix 2) and<br />
thereby increase referrals to the project<br />
– To reduce repeat victimisation<br />
– To increase the safety of victims<br />
– To improve positive criminal justice outcomes<br />
pursued by victims supported by the project<br />
– To improve confidence in the police, amongst<br />
agencies and victims in order to increase<br />
reporting of domestic violence.<br />
Impact of the Project<br />
Since the start of the project, there have been<br />
a total of 4366 incidents of domestic violence<br />
reported to the Police in <strong>Newcastle</strong>. Of these<br />
4366 incidents, a total of 634 referrals have<br />
been made to the Full Circle Project.<br />
The following graph illustrates the significant<br />
increase in the number of referrals made by<br />
Northumbria Police to Victim Support since the<br />
inception of the project.<br />
Figure 1.1<br />
50 2005<br />
45 2004<br />
40<br />
35<br />
30<br />
25<br />
20<br />
15<br />
10<br />
5<br />
0<br />
A M J J A S O N D<br />
Month<br />
The number of referrals increases significantly<br />
from July 05 onwards. This corresponds to the<br />
training of front line Police Officers by Victim<br />
Support.<br />
Figure 1.2 Nature of Support<br />
20%<br />
4%<br />
14% Housing<br />
17% 2%<br />
25% Solicitors<br />
14%<br />
4%<br />
Alarms<br />
Photographic evidence<br />
Courts process<br />
Court information<br />
Conpensation claims<br />
Unrecorded<br />
Conclusions<br />
Undoubtedly the Full Circle Project has had a<br />
significant impact in improving support to<br />
victims of domestic violence. Significantly 82%<br />
of victims supported by the project through the<br />
Criminal Justice System did not make<br />
retractions – The attrition rate of 18% is<br />
significantly lower than the figure of 44% as<br />
stated in “A joint inspection of the Investigation<br />
of Crime Involving <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong>”. (2003,<br />
CPSI, HMIC).<br />
An interim independent review of the project<br />
revealed that the Full Circle adds value to the<br />
Police <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> Unit (DVU) and has<br />
increased community confidence in the Police.<br />
The Full Circle Project is an example of best<br />
practice as it is based upon national evidence<br />
about “What works” (Hester and Westmorland<br />
N. 2005). Currently the project is implementing<br />
an improvement plan, the primary aim of which<br />
is to ensure a more robust approach is taken to<br />
collecting data.<br />
1<br />
As Defined by Hester, and Westmorland, N, 2005 in their review of<br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> Intervention projects. These projects have the aims of<br />
increasing initial domestic violence reporting, reduce repeat victimization,<br />
increase prosecutions, increase victims self-esteem, collect<br />
comprehensive data, develop multi-agency working and increase victim<br />
safety through the development of screening tools, outreach, crisis<br />
intervention, alarms, legal and court support & awareness raising.<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
6. Current Activity continued<br />
6.2 The Health Contribution<br />
The involvement of health in tackling domestic<br />
violence is now written into governmental<br />
legislation. Most notable is the Crime and Disorder<br />
Act (1998) which has placed a statutory duty upon<br />
local authorities to convene partnerships for crime<br />
reduction and it is expected that health will be a<br />
statutory partner in reducing crime (along with the<br />
police and the local authority).<br />
“The Health Service is in a unique position to<br />
contribute to helping people who suffer violence at<br />
home get the support they need. Health services<br />
have a pivotal role to play in the identification,<br />
assessment and response to domestic violence,<br />
not only because of the impact of domestic<br />
violence on health, but crucially the health services<br />
may be the only point of contact with professionals<br />
who could recognise and intervene in the<br />
situation” (<strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong>: A resource manual<br />
for Health Care Professionals, 2000). The main<br />
focus of the health service response to domestic<br />
violence in <strong>Newcastle</strong> over the last 2 years has<br />
been in the implementation of routine and<br />
selection enquiry.<br />
Routine enquiry refers to asking all women (or<br />
as many as is safely possible) who are using a<br />
service, direct questions about their experience,<br />
of domestic abuse regardless of whether there<br />
are signs of abuse or whether abuse is suspected.<br />
Selective enquiry refers to asking direct questions<br />
to women only when there are signs of abuse or<br />
abuse is suspected. To date close to 300 staff<br />
have received training in Routine & Selective<br />
enquiry across a number of sites and services<br />
within or connected to the Health Service in<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong>.<br />
The NDVAP plans to evaluate the effectiveness of<br />
routine and selective enquiry in the first year of this<br />
strategy.<br />
6.3 The Housing Contribution<br />
Strategic Housing Service<br />
Strategic Housing, <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />
coordinate the Housing <strong>Strategy</strong> and its associated<br />
partnerships. They are responsible for providing<br />
homelessness responses and providing<br />
emergency accommodation and support.<br />
During the lifetime of this strategy, Strategic<br />
Housing will ensure that the temporary<br />
accommodation needs of domestic violence<br />
clients will be considered in the appraisal of the<br />
options for replacing the <strong>Council</strong>’s temporary<br />
accommodation. <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />
recognises the need to improve the quality of<br />
temporary and refuge accommodation and to<br />
bring this in line with contemporary standards.<br />
Your Homes <strong>Newcastle</strong> (YHN)<br />
In managing over 32,000 properties on behalf of<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong>, YHN is the largest social<br />
housing provider in <strong>Newcastle</strong>. It has both stated<br />
policy and staff procedural guidance which clearly<br />
sets out what it hopes to achieve in relation to<br />
domestic violence. This is as a provider of services<br />
to the tenants and residents of <strong>Newcastle</strong>, as a<br />
supporter of organisations working in this field and<br />
as a large employer of over 700 staff.<br />
The main thrust of its policy is to contribute to a<br />
<strong>City</strong> wide approach that fosters a culture that is not<br />
just about moving people but is also about dealing<br />
with root causes and prevention, keeping people<br />
safe and resolving their problems and ensuring the<br />
areas in which people live are sustainable.<br />
6 <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
The main themes covered by the staff guidance<br />
are around their duties and responsibilities in<br />
relation to:<br />
– Standards of service<br />
– Confidentiality and safety<br />
– Housing support and advice<br />
– Homeless prevention<br />
– Protecting those who are vulnerable<br />
– Monitoring and referral<br />
It also provides information about:<br />
– what a victim or a perpetrator can expect from<br />
YHN<br />
– staff training, support and contacts<br />
– interview guidance<br />
– forms for employee reporting, monitoring and<br />
Housing Advice Centre referral<br />
Some examples of the scope of their support activity:<br />
– a specific domestic violence clause is included in the<br />
tenancy agreement<br />
– providing in house Advice and Support workers<br />
– letting 212 out of the 3,597 lettings through Your Choice<br />
Homes in 2004/05 to victims of domestic violence, 97 of<br />
those were direct from the register without having to make<br />
a homeless application<br />
– providing staff domestic violence policy and guidance<br />
training linked to the safeguarding of children and<br />
vulnerable adults<br />
– providing Vulnerable Persons Community Alarms through<br />
their in house Community Care Alarm Service allowing 155<br />
victims of domestic violence to feel safer in their homes in<br />
2004/05<br />
– providing furnished tenancies and child safety equipment<br />
through their in house <strong>Newcastle</strong> Furniture Service<br />
– promoting same sex interviews and Interpreting services<br />
– including awareness training as part of the ongoing open<br />
training programme<br />
– ensuring that both the protection of staff victims and<br />
dealing with staff perpetrators is included in the Code of<br />
Conduct for employees<br />
– building the core skills needed to address domestic<br />
violence issues into the core competency framework for<br />
all YHN managers<br />
– specific policies and guidance around housing offenders<br />
– making sure staff have access to telephone counseling<br />
services either as victims or in their support role<br />
– operational staff representation on the <strong>Domestic</strong> violence<br />
forum<br />
– Management Team representation on the <strong>Domestic</strong><br />
<strong>Violence</strong> and Abuse Partnership<br />
– electronic lone worker monitoring pilot<br />
– HASBET in house Police, Housing, Victim support<br />
Housing, Anti Social Behaviour and Enforcement Team<br />
– specific domestic violence clause in Modern Homes<br />
procurement contracts<br />
– branded public information leaflet in appropriate locations<br />
and information on web site<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
6. Current Activity continued<br />
6.4 Asylum seekers<br />
The Asylum Seekers Unit (ASU) is part of YHN and<br />
is a dedicated Charter Mark awarded team who<br />
work with a range of partners to provide<br />
accommodation and support to people who have<br />
claimed asylum and are dispersed to them by the<br />
Home Office. They are subject to a contract with<br />
the National Asylum Support Service (NASS)<br />
which is a section of the Home Office. Since 2002<br />
they have also operated the Refugee Move-on<br />
Service that aims to support those people in<br />
transition when they have had a Home Office<br />
decision on their asylum claim.<br />
The majority of ASU clients have no recourse to<br />
public funds in the generally accepted sense.<br />
Exceptions to this are clients of the Move-on Team<br />
as they have received a positive decision on their<br />
asylum application. There are also some clients<br />
who are supported via Social Services because<br />
they have needs above and beyond destitution.<br />
These people have been refused asylum but are<br />
unable to return to their country of origin at the<br />
present time.<br />
NASS have a policy on domestic violence that the<br />
ASU must adhere to as part of their contract. The<br />
NASS state that they receive only a small number<br />
of domestic violence reports involving people<br />
seeking asylum. However, it is recognised that,<br />
for a number of reasons, domestic violence is<br />
under reported in the asylum community. There<br />
are many accepted general reasons for this as<br />
well as those specifically associated with people<br />
seeking asylum.<br />
They are:<br />
– the fear they will be removed from the UK<br />
– the uncertainty about the availability of services<br />
and their legal rights<br />
– the uncertainty about their rights in relation to any<br />
children and that their children may be taken<br />
away by Social Services or their partner<br />
– the misguided belief that involving the authorities<br />
in a report of domestic violence may somehow<br />
count against them with regard to their asylum<br />
claim<br />
As part of their contract they must have a<br />
statement on domestic violence policy and<br />
procedure that conforms to the requirements of<br />
the NASS policy as agreed by the Home Office.<br />
NASS clients are dispersed on a ‘no choice’ basis.<br />
Unless they reside in the accommodation they are<br />
sent to their support is stopped. In the past this<br />
meant that the ASU were unable to move a victim<br />
without prior consent of NASS. This could take up<br />
to 10 days and sometimes even longer to achieve.<br />
The policy has now been amended and where it is<br />
necessary victims are re-housed and NASS<br />
informed after the event. NASS investigations then<br />
work with ASU staff on how things proceed and this<br />
may result in the perpetrator losing support and/or<br />
accommodation.<br />
The new way of working has resulted in the ASU<br />
achieving better outcomes for their clients. In<br />
addition to their specific policies around domestic<br />
violence, the Unit works closely with their clients<br />
and other agencies to foster good community<br />
relations, raise awareness and promote<br />
community based support groups. They hold many<br />
events throughout the year involving their clients<br />
and their activities on International Women’s Day<br />
are a good example of the work they do to raise<br />
confidence and empower their women clients.<br />
8 <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
6.5 Areas requiring further development<br />
Inter Agency Work in the field of <strong>Domestic</strong><br />
<strong>Violence</strong> and Child Protection.<br />
Given the high proportion of children either<br />
accommodated by Social Services or registered<br />
on the Child Protection register where domestic<br />
violence is a known factor, inter-agency work<br />
needs to be improved as a matter of urgency.<br />
In order to meet the needs of children the<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> and Abuse<br />
Partnership will work closely with the<br />
<strong>Safe</strong>guarding Board and the emerging<br />
Children and Young Peoples Plan to ensure:<br />
– All services commissioned locally are<br />
consistent with the National Service Framework<br />
for Children, Young People and Maternity<br />
Services and the principles set out in the<br />
statutory guidance on making arrangements to<br />
safeguard and promote the welfare of children<br />
under section 11 of the Children Act 2004<br />
– Commissioning of services will take into<br />
account and build on existing provision and in<br />
particular recognise the expertise of voluntary<br />
organisations and facilitate their involvement in<br />
both the planning and delivery of services<br />
– <strong>Domestic</strong> violence as an issue is mainstreamed<br />
and integrated throughout the children’s<br />
agenda<br />
Women with no Recourse to Public Funds<br />
Due to current immigration and benefit rules,<br />
women resident in the UK under sponsorship<br />
arrangements can experience severe difficulties<br />
if they are in an abusive relationship. Women in<br />
such situations are prevented from claiming<br />
benefits, accessing social housing, and therefore<br />
often find themselves and their children<br />
completely destitute. Whilst the local refuges;<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> Women’s Aid, Praxis and Panah,<br />
refuge to women at risk of domestic violence that<br />
have no recourse to public funds, this support is<br />
limited due to the intensive resource demands.<br />
The <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> and Abuse<br />
Partnership commits to:<br />
– Collate data locally to monitor the scale extent<br />
of this problem in <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
– Ensure that this issue is included in the<br />
emerging Training Plan<br />
– Disseminate Southhall Black Sisters guidance<br />
aimed at assisting BME victims to navigate the<br />
system<br />
– Campaign to demand that the Government<br />
develops longer term funding solutions for<br />
those victims with no recourse to public funds<br />
Enshrined in this approach is the rationale that<br />
the most effective intervention for ensuring safe<br />
and positive outcomes for children experiencing<br />
domestic violence, is to provide a package of<br />
support for the non-abusing parent and their<br />
child that incorporates a robust risk assessment<br />
and holds the perpetrator accountable for<br />
their actions.<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
6. Current Activity continued<br />
Investment in accommodation services<br />
for victims of domestic violence<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> has two dedicated refuges - <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
Women’s Aid and Panah, and additionally Praxis a<br />
service for women and their children. Combined<br />
these three organisations can provide<br />
accommodation to 16 families or single women.<br />
Existing accommodation based services are in<br />
high demand operating at an average of 91%<br />
occupancy during 2003/04.<br />
Anecdotal evidence informs us that demand for<br />
Panah services is particularly high due to a<br />
number of possible factors, those being:<br />
– Panah is the only specialist refuge for BME<br />
clients in the entire Northern region<br />
– The proportion of BME clients joining services,<br />
and defined as women fleeing domestic violence<br />
at 20.9%, is higher than the average for all<br />
services which is 15.7%. 62% of service users<br />
from backgrounds other than White British joined<br />
a women’s refuge, compared to 34% of White<br />
British service users.<br />
Improving and investing in accommodation is a<br />
priority, and the NDVAP commits to working in<br />
partnership with strategic housing and supporting<br />
people to ensure the needs of all victims are<br />
considered.<br />
It is recognised that key groups including disabled<br />
women and children, women misusing substances,<br />
women with mental health needs requiring high<br />
levels of support, and women with older male<br />
children are insufficiently served by current<br />
provision.<br />
Additionally the NDVAP will provide choices for<br />
those families who wish to remain in their own<br />
homes by developing a sanctuary scheme.<br />
Substance Misuse<br />
Research demonstrates that women who<br />
experience domestic violence are more likely<br />
to use prescription drugs, alcohol and illegal<br />
substances than their non-abused counter parts. 1<br />
The NDVAP recognises that substance misusers<br />
experience significant barriers in accessing<br />
services, particularly refuge provision, as agencies<br />
were unable to cope with their additional needs.<br />
The NDVAP is committed to working with partner<br />
agencies to produce a minimum standards<br />
protocol for both domestic violence and substance<br />
misuse sectors on workers with clients who<br />
experience this abuse.<br />
Sexual Assault<br />
The NDVAP recognizes the link between domestic<br />
violence and sexual assault. Research<br />
demonstrates that 54% of rapists are either<br />
current or former partners of the victim (BCS<br />
2001). Furthermore, evidence also suggests that<br />
those women who experience sexual assault in the<br />
context of an abusive relationship experience the<br />
most severe forms of violence.<br />
For these reasons the NDVAP will ensure that:<br />
– All awareness raising / training conducted will<br />
promote an understanding of the inter-connections<br />
between sexual assault and domestic violence<br />
– Practitioners are aware of specialist sexual<br />
assault provision that currently exists – Tyneside<br />
Rape Crisis Centre (TRCC), REACH (Rape,<br />
Examination, Advice, Counselling and Help)<br />
– Scope out the potential for integrating domestic<br />
violence and sexual assault services<br />
1<br />
Jacobs, J (1998) The link between Substance Misuse and <strong>Domestic</strong><br />
<strong>Violence</strong>: Current knowledge and debate (Alcohol Concern) p6.<br />
20 <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
Emerging Work with Perpetrators<br />
The National Probation Service Northumbria<br />
delivers an accredited court mandated<br />
programme throughout the whole of the<br />
Northumbria area. The Community <strong>Domestic</strong><br />
<strong>Violence</strong> Programme (CDVP) is a community<br />
based integrated offender management and<br />
group work programme designed to reduce reoffending<br />
by adult male domestic abuse<br />
offenders, the victims of whom are women.<br />
(A similar programme – Healthy Relationships –<br />
is run in custody by the prison service).<br />
The principle goal of CDVP is to eliminate<br />
violence and abuse toward female partners<br />
through a process designed to change attitudes<br />
and behaviours. It directly promotes and requires<br />
interagency working with both statutory and non<br />
statutory organisations. The safety of women<br />
and children is central and in particular Women<br />
<strong>Safe</strong>ty Workers ( currently through a partnership<br />
with Victim Support) work with the known victims<br />
at regular intervals.The number of visits required<br />
is detailed in the programme manuals and<br />
subject to audit. Key to the whole process is<br />
a robust system of risk assessment and risk<br />
management. The programme is reviewed on a<br />
regular basis by the Correctional Services Panel<br />
and changes can be agreed where appropriate.<br />
The programme is based on a sound theoretical<br />
underpinning combined with the principles of<br />
what we know to be effective practice. In<br />
Canada, where the programme was devised,<br />
there is evidence of successful outcomes but it is<br />
too early to undertake research in this country at<br />
the moment. Data is collected on a regular basis<br />
by the National Probation Directorate to inform<br />
this research. This will look at attitude change,<br />
risk management and victim safety – a far wider<br />
brief than numbers of attendees/completers.<br />
CDVP was introduced in Northumbria last August<br />
– the first groups completed in January with 14<br />
completions. The target area wide for 2006/7,<br />
set by the Directorate, is 54 completions.<br />
Currently in <strong>Newcastle</strong> work with men who are<br />
perpetrators of domestic violence is restricted<br />
within the realms of the criminal justice system.<br />
Given that an evidence base continues to<br />
demonstrate domestic violence is extensively<br />
under reported, this represents a situation whereby<br />
vast numbers of perpetrators receive little<br />
intervention that both challenges and changes<br />
behaviour. Furthermore, domestic violence is a<br />
problem that will not disappear without persistent<br />
and positive action; working with victims is only<br />
one part of this process. If we are to robustly<br />
tackle this issue we need also to work with<br />
perpetrators of violence within the home.<br />
The provision of non-court mandated<br />
programmes are therefore considered to be an<br />
essential component of any strategy that seeks<br />
to safeguard women and their children and<br />
reduce both levels and impact of domestic<br />
violence. Work is therefore being developed via<br />
the <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> and Abuse<br />
Partnership to implement <strong>Newcastle</strong>’s first<br />
comprehensive domestic violence service that<br />
will deliver effective group work programmes<br />
that challenge abuse by men.<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong> 2
7. Governance and<br />
Accountability Structures<br />
The NDVAP rest on the premise that domestic<br />
violence and abuse can only be ended through<br />
a coordinated response.<br />
To facilitate this way of working the NDVAP has<br />
developed the following structure.<br />
Working Structure<br />
i. The Partnership will meet on a quarterly basis<br />
and will be chaired by an individual elected/chosen<br />
by the Partnership.<br />
ii. The Partnership will oversee the work of task<br />
groups. It will be responsible for setting the<br />
strategic agenda, approving work programmes of<br />
each task group and for ensuring targets are met.<br />
iii. The Community <strong>Safe</strong>ty Unit, <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong><br />
<strong>Council</strong>, will provide officer and administrative<br />
support and will take responsibility for the<br />
production and dissemination of minutes.<br />
Only those members of the Partnership in active<br />
attendance and members of the various task<br />
groups will receive minutes.<br />
iv. Any member wishing to put items on the<br />
agenda for discussion/ information will contact<br />
the Community <strong>Safe</strong>ty Unit <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong><br />
Officer giving an outline of the item at least two<br />
weeks prior to a Partnership meeting.<br />
v. If a member fails to attend three meetings<br />
consecutively without submitting apologies they<br />
will be considered to be inactive members and may<br />
have their membership reviewed.<br />
Wider Structures and Consultation<br />
The <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> and Abuse<br />
Partnership will seek to make contributions to<br />
local, regional and national groups who are working<br />
on the issue of domestic abuse.<br />
The <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> and Abuse<br />
Partnership will align its work priorities to other<br />
relevant strategic partnerships e.g. <strong>Safe</strong><br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong>, <strong>Newcastle</strong> Partnership.<br />
Governance Structure<br />
The <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> and Abuse<br />
Partnership will report to the <strong>Safe</strong>guarding Children<br />
Board and the <strong>Safe</strong> <strong>Newcastle</strong> Board.<br />
The <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> Abuse Governance<br />
Framework.<br />
22 <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
“Thank you for helping me<br />
at such short notice. I had<br />
no-one else to rely on. I really<br />
appreciate you helping me.<br />
I can’t thank you enough.”<br />
Pret, <strong>Newcastle</strong>, after contacting the<br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> Protection Project<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong> 2
8. <strong>Strategy</strong> Development<br />
This strategy has been developed by the NDVAP<br />
and has been endorsed by:<br />
– <strong>Safe</strong> <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
– LSCB<br />
This strategy and its associated action plan has<br />
been developed with reference to a broad range<br />
of literature and information. Significantly an audit<br />
compiled by the Community <strong>Safe</strong>ty Research Unit<br />
of Northumbria University in July 2005, and a<br />
comprehensive report based on an extensive<br />
consultation process with some 70 community<br />
groups are the basis on which this strategy was<br />
formed. 1 Additionally an event was held in<br />
November 2005 involving the following<br />
organisations:<br />
CAFCASS<br />
Crown Prosecution Service<br />
LSCB<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />
– Strategic Housing Service<br />
– Children’s Services<br />
– Adult Services<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> Womens Aid<br />
Northumbria Police<br />
Northumbria Probation<br />
PCT (Primary Care Trust)<br />
Panah<br />
Relate<br />
<strong>Safe</strong> <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
Sure Start East and Fossway<br />
Sure Start Westgate<br />
Tyneside Rape Crisis Centre<br />
Your Homes <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
The NDVAP commits to ensure that it will provide<br />
opportunities to seek the views of service users,<br />
service providers and other stakeholders over the<br />
life time of this strategy. We will do this by carrying<br />
out a rolling consultation with a range of victims/<br />
survivors of domestic violence and abuse as well<br />
as domestic violence service providers. This will<br />
include joint work in regard of children and young<br />
peoples views and experience. This will give them<br />
the opportunity to identify issues that affect them<br />
and suggest how existing services may need to be<br />
reshaped, or new services developed to meet their<br />
needs.<br />
We anticipate that this consultation process will<br />
identify issues and provide information that will<br />
complement data collected and collated by the<br />
partnership, thereby ensuring a robust information<br />
gathering system.<br />
1<br />
Tackling domestic <strong>Violence</strong><br />
A report and recommendations on developing user and public involvement<br />
2006, <strong>Newcastle</strong> Primary Care Trust and Community Action Health<br />
2 <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
9. Performance<br />
Management and<br />
implementation<br />
The <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> and Abuse Reduction<br />
<strong>Strategy</strong> will be monitored and delivered through<br />
an action plan based on the priorities that have<br />
been agreed by the partner agencies.<br />
Agencies will take responsibility for ensuring their<br />
actions are completed within the agreed<br />
timescales.<br />
The management of the strategy and the<br />
monitoring of the action plan will be integrated<br />
within the <strong>Safe</strong> <strong>Newcastle</strong> Performance<br />
Management Framework, which utilises a<br />
quarterly monitoring process (QMR’s).<br />
Quarterly Monitoring Reports will be presented to<br />
the NDVAP. The chair of the NDVAP will then report<br />
back to the <strong>Safe</strong> <strong>Newcastle</strong> Board and LSCB on a<br />
quarterly basis. Additionally an annual report will<br />
be produced, introducing an updated action plan<br />
for the following year. The annual action plan will<br />
be agreed by the NDVAP and fed into <strong>Safe</strong><br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> and LSCB.<br />
Performance monitoring will be carried out using<br />
existing, and developing new, performance<br />
indicators (PIs). The PIs will be aligned to<br />
Governmental and ODPM PIs and those outlined in<br />
the independent review of the Full Circle Project.<br />
The NDVAP will ensure a vigorous system for<br />
the monitoring of domestic violence is in place,<br />
however reliable data is needed in the first<br />
instance. The first year of the strategy will<br />
therefore be dedicated to establishing robust<br />
baselines and ODPM Pls.<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong> 2
10. Glossary<br />
A<br />
ARCH<br />
Is the multi-agency forum in <strong>Newcastle</strong> to<br />
collaboratively combat racism with members<br />
drawn from the statutory and community sectors.<br />
ARCH has devised a multi-agency web based<br />
reporting system for racist incidents that is<br />
currently being rolled out through all of its<br />
constituent members.<br />
Area Child Protection Committee<br />
(see <strong>Safe</strong>guarding Board)<br />
B<br />
Black and minority Ethnic Communities (BME)<br />
Best Value Performance Indicator 225 (BVPI)<br />
A new indicator to better assess the level and<br />
quality of domestic violence service provision in a<br />
local authority area.<br />
C<br />
Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP)<br />
The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 set out the<br />
framework for CDRPs in which responsible<br />
authorities are required to work together in<br />
partnership to tackle crime, disorder and the<br />
misuse of drugs. The responsible authorities<br />
consist of the local authority, police, police<br />
authority, probation, fire authority and primary<br />
care trust.<br />
Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)<br />
The Crown Prosecution Service is responsible for<br />
prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the<br />
police in England and Wales.<br />
D<br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> (DV)<br />
Defined by <strong>Newcastle</strong> DVP as “the use of violence<br />
to gain power over, dominate or control a partner<br />
or ex-partner.”<br />
DDA<br />
Disability Discrimination Act.<br />
F<br />
Floating Support<br />
Floating support is a service offered to tenants in<br />
their homes to prevent the need for them to enter<br />
emergency housing such as a refuge.<br />
I<br />
Independent Advocate<br />
Independent advocacy refers to the professional<br />
provision of advice, information and support to<br />
victims of domestic violence aimed at increasing<br />
safety. The advice must be based on a thorough<br />
risk assessment.<br />
26 <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
L<br />
Local Area Agreement (LAA)<br />
A government initiative through which local<br />
agencies will have greater flexibility to use their<br />
combined resources to achieve shared<br />
outcomes.<br />
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT)<br />
Local Strategic Partnership (LSP)<br />
LSPs are local authority wide non-statutory<br />
partnerships that work together to identify<br />
common objectives for the local community.<br />
They include representatives from the public,<br />
private, business, voluntary and community<br />
sectors.<br />
M<br />
MARAC<br />
MARAC’s are Multi-Agency Risk Assessment<br />
Conferences for high risk victims. They were first<br />
held in Cardiff in 2003, since this time they have<br />
further developed and have been independently<br />
evaluated. Successes include reducing the rate<br />
of repeat victimization in Cardiff from a baseline<br />
of 34% to single figures.<br />
MAPPA<br />
Multi-agency public protection arrangements<br />
P<br />
Positive Action<br />
A policy adopted by the police to make clear their<br />
commitment to improving victims safety.<br />
Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) now<br />
<strong>Safe</strong>guarding Adults<br />
Multi-agency partnership work to prevent<br />
mistreatment, exploitation and abuse of adults<br />
with a physical or mental disability that affects<br />
their ability to protect themselves from significant<br />
harm.<br />
Public Protection Unit (PPU)<br />
A police area command based unit formed to<br />
improve the service and support Northumbria<br />
Police gives to people suffering domestic<br />
violence and abuse. The unit also monitors the<br />
activities of registered sex and other dangerous<br />
offenders.<br />
Primary Care Trust (PCT)<br />
The local health organisation responsible for<br />
managing local health services.<br />
S<br />
<strong>Safe</strong>guarding Board (formerly known as ACPC)<br />
Required under the children bill to co-ordinate<br />
child protection work by all agencies. Replaces<br />
the Area Child Protection Committee.<br />
<strong>Safe</strong> <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
Within <strong>Newcastle</strong> the Crime and Disorder<br />
Reduction Partnership is known as <strong>Safe</strong><br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong>.<br />
<strong>Safe</strong>ty Planning<br />
A method of working with women that does not<br />
presume that either she has to separate from her<br />
abuser or that separation creates safety.<br />
Sanctuary Scheme<br />
‘Sanctuary Schemes’ are victim centered<br />
initiatives, which aim via Home Security and<br />
personal safety advice and support to enable<br />
victims of domestic violence to remain safely in<br />
their own homes.<br />
Supporting People<br />
The Supporting People programme offers<br />
vulnerable people the opportunity to improve their<br />
quality of life by providing a stable environment<br />
which enables greater independence.<br />
Y<br />
Your Homes <strong>Newcastle</strong> (YHN)<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong>’s Arms Length<br />
Management Organisation (ALMO) which manages<br />
and maintains its 32,000 homes and associated<br />
added value services.<br />
Youth Offending Team (YOT)<br />
Multi-disciplinary team to tackle offending by<br />
young people.<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong> 2
Appendix 1<br />
BVPI (Best Value Performance Indicator) 225<br />
definitions<br />
The definitions below are those used by the Office<br />
of the Deputy Prime Minister.<br />
1. The Directory must list both statutory and<br />
voluntary agencies that can provide emergency<br />
housing, advice (welfare, housing and legal),<br />
counseling and support, and include any local<br />
Women’s Aid contact details and the National<br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> Helpline. It must be widely<br />
distributed and updated at least every two years.<br />
A directory should be available for each district<br />
and not just at a county level. As a minimum it<br />
should be available on the local authority’s<br />
website. A directory for services that work with<br />
victims of domestic violence can be provided<br />
separately from the Directory for Victims of<br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong>.<br />
2. ‘Places’ means the number of rooms providing<br />
bed spaces for a woman and her children. Rooms<br />
not normally designated as bedrooms should not<br />
be counted towards the total. ‘Refuge’ means<br />
emergency accommodation for women and<br />
children who have been referred for help having<br />
experienced threats to their physical safety. It<br />
must provide help, advice and advocacy support<br />
as well as being part of an integrated local<br />
approach involving partnership with other local<br />
and statutory bodies. Calculate ‘Local Authority<br />
population’ using the latest ONS mid-year<br />
estimates.<br />
3. The co-ordinator should be employed at a local<br />
authority level (see exemption below) and have<br />
responsibility for strategically co-ordinating<br />
domestic violence issues throughout the local<br />
authority area. Where funding has been provided to<br />
the voluntary sector or local partnership to employ<br />
a Co-ordinator this will meet the definition as long<br />
as their role remains to co-ordinate work in both the<br />
statutory and voluntary sectors across the area<br />
covered by the local authority. Exemption – in<br />
cases where District <strong>Council</strong>s fund a county-wide<br />
Co-ordinator the District <strong>Council</strong> will meet the<br />
requirements of this BVPI, if the responsibility for<br />
ensuring that any country-wide work is<br />
implemented at a district level is included in the job<br />
description of an existing senior officer for that<br />
district.<br />
4. The strategy should have been developed in<br />
partnership with all relevant statutory and voluntary<br />
partners. It should be supportive of, and aligned<br />
with, the authority’s Crime and Disorder Reduction<br />
<strong>Strategy</strong> (CDRP). The strategy should cover a<br />
three-year period with an action plan reviewed<br />
annually. The action plan should contain at least<br />
50 percent outcomes that are SMART (Specific,<br />
measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timescaled)<br />
and include a section on how the needs of<br />
BME (black and minority ethnic) communities will<br />
be addressed. A Chief Officer and an Executive<br />
member in the authority should have been<br />
allocated responsibility for its implementation.<br />
28 <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
5. The forum should have a mix of statutory and<br />
voluntary sector representatives at a senior<br />
enough level to aid the implementation of<br />
decisions and the strategy action plan. The<br />
Forum should be formalised as part of the Crime<br />
and disorder Partnership.<br />
6. The information-sharing protocol must<br />
facilitate the exchange of information to enable<br />
domestic violence to be effectively tackled<br />
across all statutory agencies. Key statutory<br />
agencies are defined as the police, health,<br />
housing, social services and education. The<br />
protocol will also provide an opportunity to<br />
implement homicide reviews where appropriate.<br />
It must ensure that confidentiality and victim<br />
safety is protected.<br />
7. A sanctuary type scheme must provide<br />
security measures to allow the woman to remain<br />
in her home where she chooses to do so, where<br />
safety can be guaranteed and the violent partner<br />
no longer lives within the home. It must be<br />
available across tenures where the landlord<br />
of a property has given permission for the work<br />
to be carried out.<br />
It must consist of additional security to any main<br />
entrance doors to the accommodation and locks<br />
to any vulnerable windows. Wherever possible it<br />
must provide a safe room in the home secured<br />
with a solid core door and additional locks. It is<br />
essential that the service is only provided where it<br />
is the clear choice of the victim. The scheme<br />
should be implemented through partnership with<br />
the police and/or the voluntary sector that could<br />
provide supplementary support. It may be<br />
provided directly by the local authority or through<br />
a third party funded as part of the local authority’s<br />
homelessness prevention work through grants<br />
that may be available for crime reduction<br />
initiatives.<br />
8. The indicator is met if there is a percentage<br />
reduction in homelessness acceptances due to<br />
domestic violence. Acceptances who were<br />
previously homeless in another local authority area<br />
should not be included. Reductions achieved in<br />
preventing repeat homelessness should be clearly<br />
linked to positive measures adopted to provide<br />
genuine alternatives for women to either remain<br />
in their own home or be placed in alternative<br />
accommodation, removing the need to become<br />
homeless. Alternative accommodation may be<br />
secured by arranging a reciprocal property with<br />
another social landlord, or a safe management<br />
transfer. Any options or measures to prevent<br />
repeat homelessness must only be taken with the<br />
full consent of the victim of domestic violence.<br />
9. Any clause should make clear that evidence of<br />
domestic violence for eviction purposes does not<br />
need to rely on a criminal charge. Evidence may be<br />
based on a possession action using civil evidence.<br />
10. The domestic violence education pack must<br />
have been specifically designed for use in schools<br />
and with youth groups. It must aim to challenge<br />
attitudes of tolerance to violence and help young<br />
people to achieve positive relationships based on<br />
mutuality and respect. Schools and youth groups<br />
cannot be forced to run a programme on domestic<br />
violence but the pack must be easily available and<br />
actively promoted. Schools should be encouraged<br />
to use the material as part of their PSHE79 or<br />
Citizenship curriculum.<br />
11. The training programme must cover domestic<br />
violence awareness training, the legal framework,<br />
information sharing, and who provides what<br />
services to victims of domestic violence with<br />
referral and contact points. The programme<br />
should be developed in consultation with the<br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> Forum and reviewed by the<br />
forum annually.<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong> 2
Appendix 2<br />
Information Gathered on the 11 Point Plan (as used by Northumbria Police)<br />
1. Victim name, address, date of birth, self classification code for ethnicity,<br />
language, telephone number if appropriate and alternative number if<br />
available.<br />
2. Suspect name, address, date of birth, self classification code for ethnicity,<br />
and SRN details if appropriate.<br />
3. Relationship status of the victim.<br />
4. Details of children who reside within the victim, their ages, and complete<br />
the Child Abuse Notification CC screen.<br />
5. Indicate if there were children present at the incident and complete the<br />
Child Abuse Notification CC screen. If there are any other children present,<br />
complete the Child Abuse Notification screen.<br />
6. Details of incident.<br />
7. Extent of injuries.<br />
8. Whether a power of arrest existed.<br />
9. Whether that power was exercised.<br />
10. The risk factors that were identified:<br />
– Pregnancy or new birth.<br />
– Isolation, either cultural or geographical.<br />
– Escalation in number of incidents.<br />
– Stalking or harassment.<br />
11. Whether consent was obtained for referral to other support agency.<br />
0 <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
Notes<br />
2 <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse <strong>Strategy</strong>
Understanding <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> And Abuse
Contact us<br />
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Email: safenewcastle@newcastle.gov.uk<br />
Our visit our website at: www.safenewcastle.org.uk