Issue - meetings

A report on Domestic abuse provision in Bath and North East Somerset will be available in time for the meeting.

The Inclusive Communities Manager introduced this item to the Panel. She gave them a presentation, a copy of which will be available online as an appendix to these minutes, a summary is set out below.

Definition

The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to: any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

The abuse can include, but is not limited to: psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional.

Profiles

Estimate 5,936 women age 16-59 in B&NES experienced DA in the past year.

Women with ill-health and disability are almost twice as likely to experience DA.

Of the 1,474 DA incidents recorded by the police in B&NES between 2013/14

58% (858 incidents) low risk

32% (469 incidents) medium risk

10% (147 incidents) high risk.

Perpetrators

79% of all recorded perpetrators were men, over 50% were age 33 years and under.

44% of the perpetrators of clients of Southside's Independent Domestic Violence Advice Service (IDVA) were thought to have mental ill health. 44% to have had issues with alcohol and 46% issues with drugs.

Trends

Numbers have risen, rising from 46 in 2008/09 to 154 in 2013/14. This is in line with overall increased rates of reporting.

The Bath Freedom Programme received 151 referrals in 2014, compared with 52 during 2013.

Next Link Refuge accommodated 28 women and 33 children in 2015/16. The service was fully utilised for 99% of the time.

Specialist Service Responses

Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences: high risk (those at risk of murder or serious harm) is shared monthly between local agencies.

Independent Domestic Violence Advisor: Southside Family Project. Part funded by PCC’s Community Safety Fund.

Julian House: Freedom Programme and CRUSH: preventative programme: awareness raising & support for people age 13-19 to make safe & healthy relationships.

Voices: female survivors, an independent charity.  Freedom programme (evenings).

Off the Record: for people aged 11-18 who have witnessed DA.

Identification and Referral to Improve Safety (IRIS)

GP based DA training support and referral programme.

Training and education, clinical enquiry, care pathways and an enhanced referral pathway to specialist DA services. 

Perpetrator programmes

For a long term sustained solution, perpetrators’ behaviour needs to be challenged and changed. Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire Community Rehabilitation Company run such a programme – ‘Building Better Relationships’: 

For offenders convicted of crime that are related to ‘Intimate Partner Violence’

The new Government Violence Against Women & Girls strategy recognises this need – potential for funding bid 2017.

Learning from Domestic Homicide Reviews in B&NES

DHR required where the circumstances surrounding a death can be shown to be linked to DA.

To critically analyse agency involvement, identify areas for improvement to service provision & develop a detailed action plan for agencies involved.

This year B&NES has commissioned 1 full DHR and 1 ‘root causes review’ of death.

Councillor Michael Norton asked if part of the rise in figures  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79