Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Director of Adult and Health Services – presented by Tammy Ross, Public Health Portfolio Lead, Adult and Health Services.

The Chairman introduced the Public Health Portfolio Lead, Tammy Ross to give an update for Members in respect of the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Plan on a Page (for copy see file of minutes).

The Public Health Portfolio Lead reminded Members that the County Durham and Darlington Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Executive Groups (DASVEG) was a sub-group of the Safe Durham Partnership and Safer Darlington Partnership, with a priority of working together to tackle domestic abuse and sexual violence.  It was added that a Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy was developed in 2015 and an associated Action Plan was developed and was monitored updated. 

It was explained that following a multi-agency development session in December 2016 held by DASVEG, a “Plan on a Page” was developed, focussing on key areas of activity to take place over the next 12 months.

Members noted that those key areas were: reducing repeat victims and serial perpetrators; preventing domestic abuse through early intervention; and identifying “invisible” victims and offering them support and guidance.  It was explained that in terms of the last area, work was ongoing with the local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), GPs and Public Health to help identify those victims, and a multi-agency task and finish group had been established to take those actions forward.

The Chairman thanked the Public Health Portfolio Lead and noted the Portfolio Holders, Councillors J Brown and L Hovvels were in attendance.

Councillor J Brown, Portfolio Holder for Social Inclusion noted the excellent work and that suggestions would be welcomed from Members.  Councillor R Crute, Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny noted the work was very good as was the establishment of the task and finish group, though with concern in terms of repeat victims and offenders.  Councillor R Crute asked if there could be comparisons with our nearest statistical neighbours and to look at trends and performance as early intervention would be keep.  The Public Health Portfolio Lead noted that the Office of the Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner would be able to help in terms of Performance Indicators and benchmarking, with national research suggesting that while many victims engaged with services, many did not, or did not re-engage” and therefore services needed to be ready to deal with those people.  Councillor R Crute noted that it was a good report and gave him confidence in the positive work being undertaken.

The Chairman asked if there were links between repeat perpetrators and alcohol and/or drug misuse.  The Public Health Portfolio Lead noted that it could be a factor or “stressor” and this linked to the work within Public Health, in terms of health and wellbeing.  Councillor J Brown asked if practice at other Local Authorities was being looked at, and Councillor R Crute reiterated also in terms of those areas with common statistics and demographics.  The Chairman noted that the basket of Performance Indicators looked at comparative Local Authority areas in terms of demographics.  The Head of Planning and Service Strategy, Peter Appleton noted that the headline figure in terms of repeat perpetrators was compared, though the Performance Indicators at Appendix 3 to the Performance Report, set out the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) presentations.  He added that a lot of information underpinned those figures and that those being high was not necessarily negative as those approaching services for help was to be supported.

Councillor J Charlton noted she felt an important element was for young people to be educated to be respectful of each other and also to explain that abuse was not only physical, it could also be mental and asked if local schools were taking up the opportunity to help raise this issue with young people and how the Authority could help, also in the cases of Academies.  Councillor C Hampson added that also there was a perception that abuse was men against women, however men could also be victims too.  The Public Health Portfolio Lead noted that men could also be victims and support services were in place, though statistically women were more likely to suffer abuse.

Resolved:

(i)            That the contents of the report be noted.

(ii)          That an progress report on delivery of the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Plan on a page be included within the Committee’s work programme for 2017/18