National Strategy on Domestic Sexual and Gender-based Violence
Implementation Progress Reporting Template
National Strategy on Domestic Sexual and Gender-based Violence2010-2014
8th Report to Strategy Oversight Committee of
Progress inImplementation of Strategy
December 2013
Overall Strategic Objective:
The development of a strong framework for sustainable intervention to prevent and effectively respond to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence
High-Level Goal 1:
To promote a culture of prevention and recognition through increased understanding of domestic, sexual and gender-basedviolence
Key objectives
1To increase understanding, recognition and practical information on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence throughout society in Ireland
2To increase understanding and recognition of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in State-sector organisations
3To raise awareness among young people of domestic, sexual and gender-based abuse.
Action / Activities / Lead body andImplementation structure / Progress indicator / Priority Status / Progress to Date
1 Promote and develop an understanding and recognition of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence among the general public and specific audiences / 1.1 Undertake a range of activities including engaging national, local and journal media in delivering articles to the general public, and to specific audiences (including professionals, vulnerable or high-risk groups, older people, etc.),
- to challenge myths
- to confront offending behaviour
- to increase understanding, recognition, and
- to provide practical information on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and services available
1.3 Agree in partnership with the NGO networks and Cosc a national awareness training pack for all community groups and organisations that receive funding from the HSE / Cosc (with NSC, RAC and NGO participation)
Cosc (with NSC, RAC and NGO participation)
Child and Family Agency (formerlyHSE) / 1.1(a) Targeted Annual Information Programme 2010-2014 developed by Q2 2010 and by Q1 each year thereafter
1.1 (b) Annual Programmes implemented by end of programme year
1.2 (a) Guidance available for domestic violence through voluntary sector services, older people guidance available through HSE, material for travellers and immigrants and dissemination plan developed by Q4 2013. RCNI material on alcohol and sexual violence available on web Q2 2012
1.2 (b) Implement plan for Travellers and immigrants from Q1 2014
1.3 Practice guide for completion Q2 2013 / Important
Important
Important
Important
Completed / 1.1 Implementation of the Information Plan 2013 - Cosc links with the Disability Equality Unit of the Department of Justice and Equality, the HSE and the NDA concerning people with disabilities. A separate stream of funding was provided in 2013 under the Cosc grant scheme for raising awareness with people with disabilities. This stream is also provided for under the 2014 grant scheme. Implementation of the 2014 has commenced and Cosc met with the HSE concerning raising awareness among persons affected by substance misuse.
Cosc provided funding to the IrishCollege of General Practitioners to revise its Guide for General Practice on Domestic Violence. It’s expected to be finalised in the first quarter of 2014.
.
1.2 (a)Progress has been slower than expected in developing guidance on practical steps to increase personal safety for those most at risk from sexual violence.
Advice on the content of the guidance is currently under consideration by PASC.
Cosc provided funding to Pavee Point to develop guidance to increase the personal safety of Traveller and Roma women. The booklet which is available in English, Romanian and Slovak was launched by Pavee Point in November 2013 and dissemination is ongoing.
1.2(b) The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is working with Cosc and a number of non-governmental organisations to develop a policy and practice document on safeguarding RIA residents against domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The draft document has been forwarded to the working group for final observations
1.3 Training pack continues to be available for use
2 Promote and develop understanding and recognition of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence across the State sector / 2.1 Agree and deliver a suite of national training packs for all front-line staff in different healthcare settings, from agreed existing materials
2.2 (a) Conduct an analysis of training needs for all relevant justice sector organisations including identification of areas suitable for cross-sectoral training
2.2 (b) In the light of the training needs analysis, develop and implement training programmes
2.3 Work with third-level institutions to include understanding and recognition of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in curricula including social services and legal studies curricula
2.4 Continue to promote issues relevant to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in training on student care among school professionals / Child and Family Agency (formerly HSE)
Cosc (Lead) - An Garda Síochána,Probation Service, Courts Service,Legal Aid Board, IYJS
Cosc (lead) with NSCsand NGO participation, Child & Family Agency , OOP,
Institutions concerned
D/ES / 2.1 Progress uncertain due to ban
on travel.
2.2 (a) Justice sector
training needs
identified Q3 2012
2.2. (b) No plans for specific additional training beyond ongoing training for operational reasons which will be periodically reviewed and updated as necessary.
2.3 (a) With permission of author circulate domestic violence material to caring professions educators by end Q4 2012
2.3 (b) Support the
Law Society and Bar
Council to develop
domestic violence
material by Q3 2013.
2.3 (c) Collate
existing training
material on sexual
violence by Q1 2013.
2.3 (d) If sexual
violence material
is available, circulate
to caring profession
educators and/or legal
educators by Q2
2013.
2.3(e) If no sexual
violence material
available seek out
partners to develop
suitable material and
circulate by Q3 2014.
2.4 Number of school
professionals trained / As time and resources permit
Completed
Completed
Important
Important
mportant
Important
Important
Important / 2.1 Training will continue to be rolled out
2.2 (b)Four sessions of sex offender risk assessment training (stable & acute) delivered by cross agency trainers to Garda/Probation staff in October 2013. Average number of participants per sessions 25.
Two sessions of sex offender risk assessment training (RM 2000) delivered to Garda/Prison Staff in November 2013. Average number of participants per session 18.
In the context of domestic violence, the Probation Service and Irish Youth Justice Service funded projects addressing non-violent response which weredelivered in July 2013.
2.3 Cosc has circulated a Teachers Guidebook and a Teachers Handbook on domestic violence to 3rd level institutions. The material has also been uploaded onto Cosc’s website.
2.3 (b) Letters issued to contacts in these organisations to explore options available to progress this activity, enclosing the Teachers Handbook and Teachers Guidebook on domestic violence in social science curricula material already circulated to 3rd Level Institutions for their review and opinion.
2.3 (c-e) The NGO sector has not been able to furnish any extant material to date and the focus shifted to contacting the 3rd Level Sector in writing by Mid-October to map the available material and to explore the options in developing comprehensive material similar to the domestic violence guidebook and handbook already available. Follow-up telephone contacts have been made and the range of material currently available is being assessed.
2.4This action is ongoing.
3 Embed domestic, sexual and gender-based violence content in second- and third-level educational institution action on healthy relationships / 3.1 Develop and implement sustainable second-level educational programmes, applying learning from Cosc research on schools programmes and from the experience of programmes provided in this area
3.2 Develop and implement programme for young people attending Youthreach and similar education programmes
3.3 Work with third-level institutions and student media to increase understanding and practical information on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence / D/ES(Lead), Curriculum support services,
Cosc
As above
Cosc (Lead) with NSCsand other NGO participation, Third-level institutions, USI and Student health services / 3.1 (a) Lessons plans on personal safety to be taught within SPHE at Junior Cycle and RSE at Senior Cycle, will be finalised and made available to teachers through attendance at training courses in Q1 2013.
3.1 (b) Number of school professionals trained
3.2 (a) Lesson plans on personal safety, that will be taught as part of RSE at Senior Cycle, will be made available to teachers in Youthreach and other programmes in Q.1 2013.
3.2 (b) Number of school professionals trained
3.3 (a) Material developed by Union of Students in Ireland with support from Cosc for third-level students on risk of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and services available by Q4 2012 and possible further material in 2013 and 2014.
3.3 (b) Number of colleges involved each year and number of items circulated or accessed / Important
Important
Important
Important
Important
Important / 3.1 TheSPHE lesson planson 'Personal Safety' were developed in 2013 following consultation with the NSCVaW and NSCVaM, and following a piloting exercise with a sample of SPHE teachers.In-service trainingon ‘Personal Safety’commenced forSPHE teachers in November 2013.The lesson plansare currentlyundergoing finalamendment before being made available to all SPHE teachers.The most effective means of disseminating the lesson plans to SPHE teachers is currently under consideration within the Department of Education and Skills.
3.2 The current priority is on making available the finalised lesson plans, and associated professional development, for Junior Cycle. Once this process is completed, the D/ES will be in a position to develop Senior Cycle lessons. The Senior Cycle material will be transferable to Youthreach and similar programmes.
3.3 (a ) Progress has been slower than expected in developing guidance on the risk of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence for third level students. The guidance will be informed by the findings of the survey outlined at 3.3(b) below and advice on the content will be considered by PASC.
3.3(b) USI supported by Cosc carried out a national survey among students on their experiences of harassment, stalking, violence and sexual assault during the first quarter of 2013. The report and results of the survey were launched in September 2013. USI are working on ways to implement the findings in the report.
In addition various colleges have run events and campaigns to raise awareness of domestic and sexual violence such as the Canadian campaign - ‘Don’t be that guy’.
High-Level Goal 2:
To deliver an effective and consistent service to those affected by domestic and sexual violence
Key Objectives
4To increase confidence in service provision for those affected by DV and SV
5To promote high standards in service provision
6To strengthen intra- and inter-organisational co-ordination to improve service effectiveness and consistency
7To improve protection and support for victims
8To address offending behaviour by perpetrators of domestic and sexual violence
Action / Activities / Lead body andImplementation structure / Progress indicator / Priority Status / Progress to Date
4 Ensure information on services is available to victims in user-friendly formats / 4.1 Promote effective dissemination to victims of accessible and consistent information on domestic, and sexual violence by State organisations
4.2 Continue to encourage and support effective dissemination of information on domestic and sexual violence services provided by non-State organisations / Cosc (Lead)
and all relevant State services
Cosc (Lead)
and all relevant NGO services / 4.1 Accessible and consistent information effectively disseminated by State organisations
4.2 (a) Effective, strategic and financial support provided to NGOs to deliver service information to victims
4.2 (b) Improved service awareness levels among victims / Ongoing
Ongoing / 4.1 Following PASC advice on other ways to review information provided to victims by State organisations a questionnaire issued to relevant state organisations about information provided by them to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The responses received are being considered by PASC.
4.2 67 applications were received under the Cosc Awareness Raising Grant Scheme 2013 which provides grant funding to local and national groups to raise awareness of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and the services that are available to victims. Grant funding of just under €240,000 has been provided to 53 projects.
A Cosc awareness raising grant scheme for national campaigns has been advertised and the closing date for applications is 24 January 2014. A call for funding for local awareness raising projects will be made in March 2014.
5 Ensure reasonable opportunity is provided for disclosure of domestic and sexual violence / 5.1 Agree and implement an assessment form with domestic violence questions for routine use for all staff in different healthcare contexts/environments with specific target groups
5.2 Identify and promote best practice to encourage disclosure of domestic and sexual violence in relevant sectors including justice, housing, and education sectors / Child & Family Agency (formerly HSE)
Cosc (Lead), local authorities, D/ECLG, D/ES / 5.1 (a) Practice guide completed including questionnaire. Rollout uncertain in context of ban on travel
5.2 (a) Proposals for non-health sector disclosure (including suitable pilot) developed by Q4 2013
5.2 (b) Pilot implemented by Q2 2014 / As time and resource permit
As time and resource permit
As time and resource permit / 5.1(a) Staff who attend Child and Family Agency Training programme continue to receive a copy of the practice guide as a resource tool – content is covered within the training programme.
5.2(a) Action raised for discussion at NSCVaM / NSCVaW meetings in April 2013. No proposals forthcoming. No further development of action undertaken.
6 Promote clear, high-quality standards in service delivery for victims and perpetrators of domestic, and sexual violence / 6.1Publish a new edition of the Victims Charter and Guide to the Criminal Justice System, outlining the commitments to victims generally, and victims of sexual, domestic and gender based violence in particular, made by the eight State criminal justice agencies.
6.2 Identify best practice models for service delivery for victims and perpetrators of domestic and sexual violence
6.3 Encourage improvements to service delivery based on consideration of suitable best practice models
6.4 Identify and promote suitable state service responses in relation to domestic and sexual violence for vulnerable or high risk groups (including Travellers, people with a disability, older people, migrants, and young people)
6.5 Work in partnership with the national NGO networks to develop standardisation within specialist domestic violence services
6.6Implement the recommendations on standardisation of sexual assault services as set out in the National Review of SATUs
6.7 Ensure that the Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children are being adhered to by all specialist domestic violence services
6.8 Develop and disseminate guidelines on working with children in domestic violence situations
6.9 Ensure the assessment form for children at risk will contain key questions about domestic violence
6.10 Ensure the assessment form for children at risk regarding domestic violence contains questions regarding children’s welfare / Victims of Crime Office (Lead), Cosc and all relevant bodies
Cosc (Lead) and all relevant bodies
Cosc (Lead)
Cosc (Lead)
OOP
Child & Family Agency (Lead) with national NGO support networks in context of Service Level Agreements
Child & Family Agency (Lead)
Child & Family Agency
Child & Family Agency (lead) with NGO national support networks and NGOs
Child & Family Agency
Child & Family Agency / 6.1 Victims Charter and Guide to the Criminal Justice System published Q2 2010
6.2 Information on best practice models identified and circulated periodically to service providers
6.3 Best practice models considered periodically
6.4 Development of intervention responses for the most vulnerable groups if practicable (see 1.2)
6.5 Standards in relation to compliance with Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children and Duty to Care and core data collection to be completed by Q4 2013
6.6 Implement outstanding SATU review recommendations:
1. Maintain appropriate staffing in units - subject to public sector recruitment embargo
2 . Standardised Paediatric services
3. Develop National DNA database following legislative provision
6.7 Standards in relation to compliance with Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children and Duty to Care and core data collection to be completed by Q4 2013
6.8 To be completed in line with rollout of practice guide and standard in relation to compliance with Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children and Duty to Care Q4 2013
6.9 To be completed by Q2 2013
6.10 To be completed by Q2 2013 / Completed
As time and resource permit
As time and resource permit
As time and resource permit
Important
Ongoing
Important
Important
Important
Important / 6.2 & 6.3 Cosc continues to explore the options to conclude the activity through consultation with the state sector and the NGO sector
Cosc continues to distribute to partner organisations information on developments in other jurisdictions.
6.5 Draft Standards developed by national NGO network for specialist Domestic Violence services but finalising of these held pending establishment of new Child and Family Agency. Plans to progress completion and implementation will be agreed in partnership with national NGO from Q2 2014.
6.6Almost all recommendations now implemented. Outstanding issues include:
1. Staffing shortages within certain units due to public sector recruitment embargo
2 .Paediatric services remain less standardised in some areas – work ongoing in this regard.
3. National DNA database - The Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill, which will provide for the establishment and operation of the database, was published in the Dáil in September 2013 and completed second stage in the Dáil in October 2013.
6.7 Draft Standards developed for specialist domestic violence and for sexual violence services by national NGO networks through the aegis of a Children First Implementation Sub-Group for the DSGBV sector. Further developments. This work will be progressed in the context of Child and Family Agency structures and legislative requirements from Q2 2014, in partnership with national NGO networks and in consultation with the wider DSGBV services sector.
6.8As per 6.7
6.9Development of assessment framework continuing in the context of the new Child and Family Agency
6.10As per 6.9
7 Promote inter-agency co-ordination through multi-agency projects / 7.1 Promote and further develop practices and protocols on inter-agency referrals and co-operation based on best practice