Mental Health in the Context of Domestic Abuse Conference Notes

Exercise 2 – What further actions could have been taken to manage the risk

  • It is important that agencies respond effectively when the victim is ready to disclose abuse to improve confidence in agencies.
  • It is important that all agencies understand Coercive Control.
  • The police need to be pro-active and arrest perpetrators when bail conditions are breached.
  • It is important to be mindful of the language we use as professionals – the victim should not be blamed for not engaging and may not have confidence in agencies who have failed to help before.
  • All agencies should identify the best time to approach victims, for example when the perpetrator is in prison even though the perpetrator being in prison is considered to significantly reduce the risk, this will allow victims to disclose when they feel safe.
  • All agencies should ask victims when they would like to be contacted and contact them at that time – they may not be able to speak at other times.
  • Agencies should be more assertive and continue to attempt to make contact with victims who haven’t been spoken to (e.g. IDVA).
  • Clare’s Law can be considered in cases of domestic abuse, an application can be made by anybody for more information about Clare’s Law use this link:
  • Probation ask for the offenders DA history from the police before providing reports for sentence.
  • Agencies should work together.
  • Police must adopt an investigative mindset and identify a course of conduct/patterns.
  • Supervision was identified as an issue in the case study – staff dealing with DA must be supervised appropriately.
  • The DASH risk level should not default to ‘Standard’ if the victim refuses to answer the questions – the evidence and history should be considered when assessing risk.
  • Strangulation is a predictor of homicide; it is an indicator the victim is at risk of serious harm.
  • Consider signposting for perpetrators.
  • Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub is not yet effective across the Thames Valley.
  • Adjournments at Court do not help victim engagement.
  • Could video links from another location be considered?
  • IDVA’s in A & E
  • IDVA follow up – use other opportunities eg school
  • Was the risk level assessed correctly – supervision
  • If children’s’ details not known or are not sure of, check with other agency – eg school.
  • Were checks made with health for any appointments / admissions?
  • No action on Breach of Bail
  • Proper recording of information
  • PNC updates etc – Communication is national issue.
  • Cp issues – further actions should have been taken
  • If victims goes on ‘Freedom’ course, this can sometimes up the risk as victim becomes more confident to challenge.
  • Lack of giving Kay a safe space.
  • Appropriate follow up – more than a phone call
  • Not needs led
  • Breach of bail should lead to re-arrest
  • Exploration of victims social support network. – needs led.
  • Body worn cameras have been used as evidence when statement is withdrawn
  • Losing children via MASH. Wrong names / addresses
  • Victim v. scared level of support needs greater consideration
  • Even when case MARAC can still result in only two further calls and no further action
  • Police systems – PNC. If an assault happened in another part of Country, doesn’t dovetail with Modus, Visor or Niche
  • Tension between drive for convictions / courts concern re evidence / reliable witness and media who report no conviction as Innocence.
  • Resources shrinking – engagement takes money
  • Should all the services use the same forms and processes – DASH = DOM
  • Build up of trust needed for victim
  • Ownership moves. Police to IDVA to Police
  • Mid- Sept all charges were dropped – should have been continued.
  • Bail conditions vital. Perhaps need victimless prosecution – enough evidence?
  • Questions on quality of risk assessment / assessors
  • DASH markers – some more indicative of threat than others. Experienced assessors more likely to be aware of those and read more into them.
  • Importance of Police gathering the right contact info.
  • IDVA’s would not leave it there (?) Refer back to Police for welfare check.
  • Lack of engagement by victim seems to encourage agencies to withdraw. These are often the ones most at risk.
  • Improvements in effort for risk planning around those who have not consented to be part of the process
  • Incidents treated in isolation
  • Crucial role of MASH. Need correct, accurate and full info (particularly of any known children)
  • Breach of bail is significant. Bail is vague. Information is not recorded and shared. Even if breach of bail does not result in arrest, information should be flagged and shared with probation and courts (“unless we arrest they wouldn’t know”).
  • Victims not consistently referred to support services. They shouldn’t stop contact after two unanswered calls.
  • Risk assessed badly / inconsistently
  • The risk assessment needed to be better in many of the instances listed.
  • Opportunities were not explored to get the victim away from the perpetrator.
  • ‘Victimless’ prosecution should have been explored.
  • Risk assessment should have been subject of objective review, as opposed to subjective. Thus it may not have been reduced from ‘high’ to medium/standard.
  • MARAC process/protocols should ensure that repeat cases are referred back. Hopefully a lot of these gaps no longer exist with the advent of new legislation in recent years and the MASH.
  • Complete formal risk assessment, even without victim’s cooperation.
  • Complete risk management plan, ideally on multi-agency basis.
  • Refer to Outreach Service/IDVA
  • Refer to MARAC and re-refer where appropriate
  • Robust enforcement of bail conditions
  • Consider ‘victimless’ prosecution
  • Re-house victim away from area
  • Liaise with partner agencies to share info
  • Make GP aware of DA issues
  • Consider DVPN/DVPO
  • Consider DVDS (‘Clare’s Law’) application
  • Seek assistance of family members