Agenda item

Report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships.

The Chair introduced the Criminal Justice Programme Lead, Office of the Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner (PCVC), Jeanne Trotter who was in attendance to give an update in relation to Domestic Abuse (for copy see file of minutes).

The Criminal Justice Programme Lead noted she held the role for Durham and Cleveland and was the Chair of the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Executive Group (DASVEG) of the SDP and therefore worked with the Local Authority and partners.  She explained that following a multi-agency event in March 2019 to review the DASVEG’s “Plan on a Page” it had been agreed that the main objective continued to be relevant, though the related actions needed to be updated to reflect progress and next steps.  She added that it was felt there was a need to have a focus on sexual violence, and to work with partners, such as Public Health to get the issue on the agenda more. 

The Committee noted that the objectives were now: Objective One – reduction in repeat victims and serial perpetrators of domestic abuse; Objective Two – domestic abuse is prevented by early intervention; Objective Three – more invisible victims are identified and offered support.  The Criminal Justice Programme Lead noted a fourth Objective relating to sexual violence would be added following the DASVEG meeting in May 2019.

Members were informed that in terms of Objective One, there were now three elements with the introduction of Multi-Agency Tasking and Co-ordination (MATAC) to compliment the work of the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC).  The Criminal Justice Programme Lead explained that MARAC worked with high level domestic abuse victims, with MATAC to support preventative work.  She added that there would be support in terms of a perpetrator programme and after a year the results would be assessed.  It was noted that there was a range of intervention programmes ranging from a few days to 13 weeks, with funding from several sources.  She added that the sustainability of funding was an issue that would be looked at.  The Criminal Justice Programme Lead noted that Checkpoint was being looked at in terms of suitability for domestic violence, with Durham University evaluation having been completed.  It noted that it was something that was felt could work in the future, although not at the current time.

The Committee learned that in relation to Objective Two, prevention through early intervention, there was a lot of work ongoing, including Operation Encompass, which had been expanded following recommendations from the Joint Targeted Area Inspection (JTAI) and the “I am Me”, “Being Me” and SELFIE projects to continue.  The Criminal Justice Programme Lead explained that in terms of Objective Three, identifying invisible victims, the Identification and Referral to Improve Safety (IRIS) was being piloted within healthcare settings, with e-learning packages for community pharmacy staff and GP training to be delivered and their links into MARAC strengthened.  It was added that the “No less of a Man” campaign raising the profile of male victims of domestic abuse had been supported by the Partnership.

The Criminal Justice Programme Lead noted that following the JTAI, reporting arrangements between the DASVEG and Durham Safeguarding Partnership had been strengthened and MARAC processes had been reviewed with a hope to speed up responses.  It was added that there had been a number of briefings with the National Probation Service (NPS) and Durham Tees Valley Community Rehabilitation Company (DTVCRC) to raise awareness of their role and responsibilities in relation to domestic abuse.

Councillors were informed as regards commissioning issues, with work ongoing in terms of joint commissioning across County Durham and Darlington, with Darlington colleagues to carry out their service review in the first instance.  The Criminal Justice Programme Lead noted that there was a joint commissioning process between the Officer of the PCVC and Durham County Council with the specialist domestic abuse service continuing with April 2019.

The Criminal Justice Programme Lead noted that the terms of reference and membership of the DASVEG were being reviewed following the stakeholder event held in March 2019, revisions to be agreed at the May meeting.  She concluded by explaining that the Deputy Director of Public Health, Durham County Council, Gill O’Neill was the Vice-Chair of the DASVEG and that a lot of work was being undertaken in terms of performance which may be of interest to the Committee.

The Chair thanked the Criminal Justice Programme Lead and asked Members for their comments and questions.

Councillor A Shield asked if the ease of access to pornography had led to an increase in the risk of sexual violence, and what was the risk and impact. The Criminal Justice Programme Lead reiterated that it was felt that the DASVEG had not focussed on the sexual violence element and that this would be looked at.

Councillor G Huntington asked as regards early intervention and links to mental health issues of those involved and young people within families.  The Criminal Justice Programme Lead noted that Operation Encompass included elements such as an alert to schools where a parent was arrested for a domestic violence offence, with the extension as previously mentioned following the JTAI recommendations. 

Councillor H Liddle noted the work to encourage victims to come forward and asked as regards public awareness and being able to break down a culture of “behind closed doors”.  The Criminal Justice Programme Lead noted that there had been the recent “No less of a Man” campaign and a number of national campaigns, including leaflets, posters and advertisements on the sides of buses.  She explained that was a lot of information available at pharmacies, GP surgeries and hospitals.  It was noted it was important to be able to get the message across early through education, with services such as One-Point.  Councillor H Liddle asked as regards points of contact, the Criminal Justice Programme Lead noted that there was: the Police, the Victim, Care and Advice Services (VCAS); and Harbour.

Councillor R Crute asked how issues could be reported and how referrals made could be trusted, given some recent national cases, to ensure confidence in the systems so victims would come forward.  He also asked as regards the NPS and DTVCRC, with potential changes for those organisations and how this would affect the work as mentioned.  The Criminal Justice Programme Lead agreed that victims have to have confidence in the criminal justice system and noted the service provider as mentioned.  She added that all involved were aware of changes to the NPS and CRCs that would be taken place, the Overview and Scrutiny Officer noted this was picked up within the Committee’s work programme.

The Chair noted as regards Harbour and asked if, given the number of organisations involved, was there a “silo mentality” or duplication of work.  He also asked if there was a direction of travel in terms of the number of domestic abuse and sexual violence incidents and comparisons to other Force areas.  The Criminal Justice Programme Lead noted that Harbour were jointly commissioned by the PCVC and the Council, and this helped to prevent duplication and noted a domestic abuse helpline, linking to all the appropriate services. 

It was explained that domestic violence was increasing, and a performance framework was being developed.  The Criminal Justice Programme Lead noted she could bring this information back to Committee at a future date and that comparative figures were difficult and national guidance would help in benchmarking and understanding performance.

Resolved:

(i)    That the report be noted. 

(ii)  That a progress report on activity of the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Executive Group that includes performance information be included within the Committee’s work programme.