Agenda item

To receive the report of Julie Tailor, Domestic Violence Co-Ordinator.

Julie Tailor, Domestic Violence Co-Ordinator introduced the report highlighting the progress of work on Violence Against Women and Girls and Domestic Abuse. It was noted that the challenges in measuring success as indicators are not straight forward in this crime type and reduction in numbers could be as a result of not reporting due to a loss in confidence. Information was also provided on activity which had taken place over the last year with an aim to bring about improvements, build confidence and encourage victims to come forward. Data was provided on domestic abuse incidents, domestic abuse violence with injury, sexual offences, and rape offences.

Questions were invited from members.

In response to questions regarding the locks and bolts programme and whether this could be extended to be proactive and not just reactive it was advised that there is a very limited core budget for this initiative. However, the programme continues to provide support to vulnerable clients and their families, and an application has been submitted for external funding to further enhance this scheme.

In response to a question regarding the support to services for residents who do not speak English as their first language it was confirmed that there is access for residents to specific agencies that deal with cultural needs as well as language barriers.

Following members’ questions, officers confirmed that they continued to fund a high standard Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) support and emergency accommodation for victims of domestic violence. Since the last report to the panel, external grant funding had also been secured for an additional IDVA as well as an Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA).

Discussions took place regarding the Identification and Referral to Increase Safety (IRIS) project to improve health’s response to Domestic Abuse. The programme is designed to equip GPs with the knowledge, skills, and resources to effectively identify and respond to patients who may be experiencing domestic abuse. Although the exact numbers were not known, it was felt that around half of the GPs in Enfield had signed up to this project.

In response to a query regarding teachers identifying children who may have been affected by domestic abuse, it was advised that this is covered as part of Safeguarding Training that is offered to schools and the response to this has been most encouraging.

Further discussions took place regarding the Child and Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse (CAPVA) in London and it was advised that anecdotally there had been an increase in children coming into looked after care in the borough. This might be due to a one-off incident; a crisis that could normally be dealt with within a number of days, or a more chronic, ongoing issue where young people end up staying in care for a number of years.

With regards to the data shown at 3.5 of the report concerns were raised that no information was included regarding repeat victims of domestic abuse, despite the Met’s Turnaround Plan detailing this as a priority. Superintendent Chris Byrne assured Members that the Met Police had prioritised public protection so there was a strong commitment to this. However, he would provide a written update to this question which would be circulated to the Panel post meeting.

Action: Superintendent Chris Byrne

The Chair thanked Officers and Superintendent Byrne for their detailed update.

The Panel agreed:

i.              To note the report

ii.            That the above actions be implemented.