Submission to the Protecting Adults at Risk in Wales

Guidance for Multi-Agency Adults Practice Reviews

Name:
Organisation:
Email address:
Telephone number:
Address:
These are the views of: / Becky Jones
Welsh Women’s Aid

02920451551
Pendragon House, Caxton Place, Pentwyn, Cardiff CF23 8XE
An organisation (Third Sector)

Protection and Advocacy Team

Welsh Government

Fourth Floor

Cathays Park

Cardiff

CF10 3NQ

Email:

Deadline: 27.06.14
1. About Welsh Women’s Aid

1.1 WWA is the lead national organisation in Wales campaigning, influencing policy and practice and innovating to end domestic abuse and Violence Against Women on a UK and Wales-wide basis, actively campaigning for changes in policy which are responsive to service users’ needs, and/or which raise awareness of domestic abuse and violence against women. WWA is a membership organisation for Violence Against Women services in Wales including local providers of specialist support. Our 27 member groups supply a range of frontline and support services for women and children fleeing domestic abuse. We provide information and training on a wide range of related issues and aim to strengthen and enhance front line service provision.

1.2 Key projects and areas: All Wales Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Helpline On behalf of the Welsh Government, WWA had managed the All Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline since 2004; a free, 24-hour, bilingual, gender-neutral and confidential helpline providing access to refuge, safety planning, signposting to individuals and organisations seeking information or advice in relation to domestic abuse. From April 2011 the Helpline was expanded to encompass sexual violence. Under the leadership of WWA, the Helpline was the first domestic abuse helpline in the UK to receive the Telephone Helpline Association (THA) quality mark, and the first helpline of any kind to receive the THA quality mark in Wales.

1.3 Children Matter Project - WWA manage the Children Matter project to work with Children and Young People (CYP) across Wales who are affected by domestic abuse. The project works towards enabling CYP to have access to consistent high quality support services, and to be able to develop healthy relationships in their own lives, preventing abuse in future relationships. It focuses on direct service delivery and capacity building with partner organisations, offering services including the S.T.A.R Programmes and assistance through training, resources and support.

1.4 Accredited Training Centre - WWA is an Agored Cymru centre, developing and delivering training in domestic abuse accredited qualifications for member groups and external agencies. Working with the other Women’s Aid federations across the UK, in 2013 we launched a new Domestic Abuse Qualification for professionals and front line staff working in the field.

1.5 Statistics on Domestic Abuse in Wales – statistics for 2013 – 2014

  • 9,337 women suffering Domestic Abuse supported by WWA members
  • 2,263 women entered our members refuges to escape Domestic Abuse
  • 27,972 call made to The All Wales Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Helpline
  • 7 women killed on average by Domestic Abuse

2.0. Welsh Women’s Aid (WWA) would like to thank you for the opportunity to respond to this consultation. WWA believes that the reform proposed within the consultation document is positive, and the process for review is easily understood with clear guidance and procedure.

3.0 WWA would like to note particular support for the emphasis being placed on work place attitudes and culture(section 1.3), the effect this can have on how a case is managed and the lessons that must be learnt from this. WWA continue to come across negative perceptions of women living with domestic abuse and how individual as well as institutional attitudes can affect the service they receive.In the past, women have died at the hands of perpetrators due to a lack of understanding of their situation from services.As cited in a number of recent reports including findings from the HMIC[1], and South Wales PCC VAW plan[2] it is vital that attitudes towards victims of domestic abuse and other forms of VAW change in order to protect vulnerable women and their children. Oneelement of this consultation WWA considers particularly positive is the stated commitment that learning and attitudinal change will become an important part of case review, and that people will be held accountable in ensuring this change is instilled within their teams and services.

4.0 WWA also believes the emphasis on Multi-Agency working throughout is positive (section 3) WWA know that women who are suffering from Domestic Abuse may access a number of services, and that the potential benefit to a woman if all services were to work together, share information and take a coordinated approach to keep her safe from harm is priceless. The benefits from The Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC) have been invaluable to the women supported by WWA members nationally, as well as the learning each service or organisation takes from them[3]

5.0 Following from this point, one of the primary elements that makes MARAC so successful is the inclusion of the victim, including herreport of the actual events, physical and emotional impact,andher personalopinionregarding improvements that would benefit future victims of domestic abuse. WWA are pleased to see a victim focused approach to protection and the prevention of reoccurring failings

6.0 WWA also welcomes the acceptance of Historical Evidence (section 7.5)when reviewing inappropriately managed cases. It is a well-known fact that women suffer an average of 35 incidents of violent abuse within their relationship prior to seeking help, and the abusive cycle can continue for years[4]. It is reassuringto see that not only isolated incidents will be considered within a case review but any incident where a case was dealt with inappropriately can be included. This will provide invaluable learning for services, exposing the severity, the long term effects on an individual and the different forms domestic abuse can take.

7.0 WWA is also pleased to see special consideration for other forms of Violence against Women including Trafficking, Slavery and Sexual Exploitation victims, is given when discussing multiple victims, and for the considerations that will be made within the Adult Practice Review. (Section4.13)

8.0 Although it is noted within the consultation (section 8.3)WWA wish to reiterate the effect that providing evidence can have on victims of domestic abuse and other forms of VaW. It is incredibly important to include victims and their families throughout the process, as long as preparation and support is available to them throughout. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is common in women who have been victims of domestic abuse, and so the reliving and re-telling their trauma may be a very difficult thing to do for many victims, as well as their families.

9.0 One concern WWA does have in regards to the proposed changes is around the media reporting of the practice reviews (section 12). WWA understand the reasoning for anonymising reports and not reporting on specific details of any case, but we are also concerned that this could reduce the level of public scrutiny that currently comes through from serious case reviews. Although there will be a duty upon services to receive training and learn from the report recommendations, the proposed new reviews could leave little room to challenge attitudes publicly and flag any systemic failings or concerns that could lead to wider social improvements.

Once again, Welsh Women’s Aid would like to take the opportunity to thank you for the chance to contribute to this consultation. We await with interest the results of this work and increased opportunities for partnership working to support victims of domestic abuse in the future.

Yours Sincerely,

Becky Jones

Policy Officer – Welsh Women’s Aid

Pendragon House, Caxton Place | Pentwyn, Cardiff | CF23 8XE

Tel: 02920 541551 | Fax: 02920 736128

Email: | Web: .uk

Registered Charity Number: 1140962

[1]HMIC report ‘its everyone’s business; improving the Police Response to Domestic Abuse March 2014

Accessed at;

[2]South Wales Police Plan for Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls 2014-2017. June 2014

Accessed at;

[3] Home Office Violent and Youth Crime Prevention Unit (VCYU) and Research and Analysis Unit (RAU) Research into Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) July 2011

[4] (Yearnshaw 1997, accessed at