Brighton & Hove Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) Forum
Thursday 29th May 2014, 10.00am – 12.00noon
Room 3, Brighton Town Hall
Notes/Actions
Attendees:
GG / RISEJR / PCST, BHCC
LB / CRI
FB / Survivors’ Network
SvdH / University of Sussex
KK / CiN Team
JoW / Brighton Oasis Project
TB / THT
TS / Sussex Community NHS Trust
BT / Children Services, BHCC
CE / RISE, Crisis support
LE / RISE
SB / Children Services, BHCC
GK / OSPCC
MS / Mankind
CH / Legal Aid Agency
RM / Housing, BHCC
JM / CAFCASS
Apologies:
MR / CRIIS / Sussex Police
GH / Victim Support
NK / BHCC
CP / University of Sussex
RB / WISE
1. Welcome, Introductions, Apologies
1.1 GG welcomed the group and apologies were noted.
2. Minutes and Matters Arising from the meeting of the 28th November 2013
2.1 Minutes were agreed as accurate.
2.2 All actions discharged or to be discussed, with the following exceptions:
· JR to invite identified agencies (VCS rep for Older People) – carried forward.
· JR to invite the Chair of the VAWG Programme Board to a Forum meeting – carried forward.
· DA surgery leaflets/posters are still available from JR directly via email.
3. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
3.1 Nominates were received from GG (RISE) and J-AW (Oasis Project). Nominees made a short presentation, setting out why they want to the Chair or Vice Chair and what they hope the Forum will achieve
3.2 Highlighted points from the summaries:
· To ensure a positive change for survivors and those affected by VAWG crime types
· Changing attitudes and behaviours
· Supporting the transition into VAWG and the new structure
· Ensuring that the Forum represents the view across services and frontline professional across the whole city, and includes the voice of the survivors
· Developing responses to boys/men as victims and perpetrators
· Making sure that the Forum delivers its TOR – information sharing, sharing good practice and providing a space for reflection, discussing national or local practice
· Making sure the Forum has the right membership– e.g. Magistrates
· To identify and develop links to other issues, such as substance misuse
4. Presentation on Legal Aid: Briefing from the Legal Aid Agency – Caroline Hughes
CH presented the paper and the following was noted:
4.1 This relates to changes that have been implemented in April this year, and so is relatively new.
4.2 Important to dispel the idea that there is no longer Legal Aid. There is, and CH presented a paper with a list of evidence needs to fit the criteria.
4.3 Legal Advice and Assistance is available in family cases for:
· Public Law regarding protection of children
· Private family law where there is evidence of Domestic Violence
· Private law children cases where there is evidence of child abuse
· Child abduction matters
· Representation for child parties in private family cases
· Legal advice in support of mediation
· Domestic violence injunction cases
· Forced marriage protection order cases
4.4 A client will need to take evidence to their solicitor to get Legal Advice Assistance. Details here.
4.5 GG welcomed the broadening of the evidence required, however questioned the notion of a evidential time frame of 24 months, noting that in many cases the emotional problems go beyond this. . CH offered to respond to any issues or questions via JR and all agreed to forward any comments to JR for forwarding.
Action: All queries/comments to JR for forwarding to CH.
5. Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS)
JR talked to a short presentation (available at http://www.safeinthecity.info/domestic-violence-disclosure-scheme-clares-law) and the following was noted:
5.1 This is new legislation; however it is a way for police and partners to work differently using existing powers. There are two parts to the scheme.
i. Right to Ask – could be you, family member, friend, neighbour, colleague etc who makes an enquiry
ii. Right to Know – an agency makes an enquiry because they have concerns
5.2 Both requests will be referred to the local MARAC which acts as the ‘safeguarding forum’ for a decision, prior to which the police will categorise the information received as either a concern or a non-concern. JR noted that the MARAC form has been amended/updated to reflect this new process.
5.3 There followed a discussion regarding the issues around false allegations and confidentiality. JR noted that this is a tool (one of many) rather than a stand-alone scheme, and the hope is that this would support the broader coordinated community response.
5.4 JR noted that there have been around a dozen applications to date, and that the police are reviewing and following these initial cases. There is a review planned, which will identify ‘lessons learned’. JR agreed to present this when it is available.
Action: JR to present police lessons learned brief on DVDS when it is available .
5.5 JR noted that information will be circulated to departments within the council, but it is important that professionals take this information away and share it within their own teams.
5.6 KK noted that currently PNC check hasn’t involved Children’s Services. JR confirmed that he is circulating information to Children’s Services and will look to initiate further conversations to ensure that services are aware of the scheme.
6. What have men got to do with it?
JR presented the paper and the following was noted:
6.1 JR reminded the meeting that a VAWG strategy had been adopted to reflect:
· The scale, incidence and effects of these various crime types
· That many women and girls cumulatively experience these crime types during their lifetime
· These crime types are a significant cause and consequence of gender inequality, and impact on women’s ability to fully participate in employment, education and in local communities
6.2 However, the ‘gendered approach’ sets a context in which to consider how best provide help and support for men and boys. In practical terms, actions taken in response to VAWG crime types are applicable to men because policies and procedures provide protection and redress to all victims. JR noted an example of this e.g. Domestic Abuse Surgery.
6.3 However, in addition specific actions, proportionate to need, will be taken to:
· Challenge the behaviour of men who use violence and abuse;
· Support men where they experience violence and abuse;
· Support boys who witness or experience violence or abuse; and
· Work with men as allies in challenging violence & abuse and helping to change the attitudes and actions of their peers
6.4 BT added that more work is needed for women who use force and aggression.
6.5 It was agreed that more work is needed for BME and Trans communities, this is also evident from feedback from the Strategy.
6.6 GG added that this highlights the need for preventative work in schools to educate for cultural change to ideas of patriarchy.
6.7 The group agreed that the main men’s agencies are Mankind, Everyman UK and THT (and possibly the Band of Brothers). MS expressed an interest in this issue; however he identified a concern as to the time/resource Mankind could give, as they are not specifically funded to do this work. MS suggested some initial conversations between services working with men happen outside of the VAWG Forum to identify opportunities to develop this area of work. MS agreed to take this forward.
6.8 JR thanked MS for the offer to establish and facilitate a men’s group and agreed to support and respond and suggested inviting Victim Support to the group.
Action: MS to explore opportunities for a discussion among men’s services about approach to DV, SV and VAWG strategy
Action: MS to contact JR for any further assistance about approach to DV, SV and VAWG strategy
7. Sharing effective practice: Learning from Domestic Homicide Reviews
7.1 JR informed the group that between 2012 and 2013, there were three domestic homicides and a further ‘new miss’, where someone with a history of domestic violence & abuse suffered life changing injuries. The Safe in the City Partnership has/is conducting Domestic Homicide Reviews, which are a statutory requirement and reports will be published as they become available: Further information here.
7.2 JR noted that the key issues identified to date are as follows:
· The challenge of naming domestic violence & abuse, and understanding that this is not accessible and that help and support are available, as well as accessing this
· Raising awareness among families and friends, who are often aware of the violence & abuse, so they can provide support
· Issues about how professionals understand and manage risk, as well as share information
· The importance of ‘no wrong door’ and ensuring professionals understand their role in identifying and responding to domestic violence & abuse
· Coordinating safety plans
7.3 JR expects them all current reviews to be completed by October. An action plan has been written for each report. Following completion there will be a review of all 4 to identify lessons learned, and produce a single report and action plan. JR agreed to update at the next VAWG Forum.
Action: JR to update at next VAWG Forum re: Domestic Homicide Reviews
8. Provide strategy advice – feedback on the VAWG Action Plan 2014-17
8.1 JR briefed the group regarding the VAWG Action Plan over three years has been agreed and is now being taken forward by the Operational Groups; these and the work is split in four themes of prevention, provision, protection and partnership.
8.2 JR asked that any feedback goes to him via email, and added that this has been asked of other groups as well as the Forum for discussion.
9. Multi-Agency Roundtable
Mankind:
9.1 Mankind have been successful in securing a Big Lottery grant to address sexual abuse in young men including the barriers to reporting, and community response.
9.2 There is focus group work scheduled in August/September.
Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner:
9.3 GK noted that the PCC has developed a strong specification for services for victims and witnesses, which relates to assessment and non-specialist support services. They are due to go out to open tender at the end of June, with the aim of singing a contract by the end of the calendar year.
9.4 The PCC is now considering the allocation of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) funding for the next two years. The PCC recognises the need for additional ISVAs and IDVAs across the county and will be committing funding. There has been an additional opportunity to apply to the MoJ for extra funding, and the PCC has submitted separate bids for:
· 2 x Children Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (CIDVAs)
· 2 x Child Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (CISVAs)
· 1 x Serious Crime Delivery Manager, based at Victim Support
The outcome of those bids will be known at the end of June.
Healthy Schools:
9.5 SB advised that the PSHE is developing a new programme of study – this will include health relationships and areas of work like gender and sit within the curriculum framework. This is under review and development, and involves anti bullying, sexism, sexual bullying etc, as well as with services like specialist services. This will strengthen joint working with primary schools.
9.6 SB advised that Healthy Schools will be reviewing the sex education curriculum which will be going to consultation. SB agreed to present at the next Forum.
Action: SB to update at the next Forum re: PSHE programme of study.
RISE:
9.7 LE noted that a new care pathway for men is now in place, which means RISE can provide advice, initial assessment and signposting to men via our community worker at A&E, our weekly Domestic Abuse Surgery and our Helpline. RISE will continue to provide ongoing support to GBTQI men, while Victim Support locally will do so for heterosexual men.
9.8 JR noted that information is also available at www.safeinthecity.info/getting-help
9.9 LE noted that there has been ongoing work around Forced Marriage and agreed to send JR a case study for the minutes.
Action: LE to forward JR a case study for the minutes.
9.10 CE advised that this is now more stable due to additional staff, therefore Refuge, Helpline and Stay Safe is stable for the next two years at full capacity which fits in with the standardising.
Action: JR to visit the RISE helpline.
Living Without Violence Programme:
9.10 BT advised that the LWV programme has been reaccredited by Respect (London bases National organisation supporting perpetrator programmes). BT advised that most of the work is group sessions with men who are violent to female partners, however bespoke work for male victims is also offered if the courts are involved. BT added that they are based at the Claremont, and welcome partners to come and observe a session for information.
Children’s Centre:
9.11 TS advised that there is a re-written guidance with a training programme planned for October.
THT :
9.12 TB advised of the launch of a new male sex workers service. A one-stop shop is designed to address/provide sexual health, rapid HIV testing, STD advice, emotional health support and all aspect of sexual health. There is support around drug and alcohol misuse/safe sex/exit health.
Oasis Project:
9.13 J-AW advised that women are able to self-refer now and that Oasis is open to any child (4-18) affected by substance misuse.
9.14 J-AW advised of an open morning once a month, and extended an open invitation to those present.
University of Sussex:
9.15 SH advised that work is ongoing in relation to sexual harassment, with a recent policy developed around responding to sexual violence.
Children In Need, BHCC:
9.17 Of all the cases in court, there are 62% that are on a Child Protection Plan because of domestic violence. Work is ongoing to look at KK’s specialist role.
Survivor’s Network:
9.18 FB advised on an increase on demand, which has been difficult to manage.
9.19 FB noted that there are discussions regarding the possible co-location at the Claude Nichol or the Police.