Agenda item

To receive a presentation on local demographic data, impacts and outcomes.

Members agreed that having read the reports, they were happy not to receive in depth presentations

Received the report of Oladipo Tobun (Community Safety Intelligence Officer) which highlighted key aspects of the Sexual Violence and Domestic Abuse Demographics within the borough.

The report was NOTED.

1. In response to concerns regarding sexual violence at the younger end of the scale and younger suspects committing offences against other minors, DCI Gregg Coates (Public Protection Investigations Lead, North Area BCU (Enfield & Haringey) advised that there are very different guidelines to prosecuting under 18’s, but Enfield has a robust prosecution rate. The police are better at identifying situations and residents are feeling more confident about reporting the offence.

2. Regarding domestic violence, Members enquired if is there is evidence of a connection between overcrowding, accommodation, and unemployment.

Officers elaborated that Domestic violence does not discriminate but the numbers are concerning so the underlying factors do need to be understood.

Action: Officers and police offered to do more research to provide better feedback on the impact.

3. Questions were raised on reporting domestic violence and the work done to tackle domestic violence generationally. In answer, police officers advised that reporting is predominately by the complainant. There are third party referrals, but information is only shared with the police if permission has been given to do so. Repeat victims and repeat suspects generate the most reports. It is cultural, endemic, and immensely underreported.

4. The increase in reporting is due to people having confidence in police action. The concern amongst the 18-24’s is that gang related rapes and violence is rarely reported.

5. Councillor Anolue queried the data on Black and Asian victims, in particular, due to the cultural problem of a lack of reporting for both males and females experiencing abuse. They do not talk to the police for fear of being ostracised within their community.

6. Officers responded regarding support offered and commissioned; LBE try to reach out to communities to ensure they get support and to raise awareness. Solace is the main provider within Enfield. There is potential to look at the referrals coming through there and engaging culturally specific organisations that are providing support to victims and seeing if the data could be captured to represent the true numbers. The IDVA services that LBE commission are all independent, so they do not force victims to make a report to the police, instead they support and work with them to address safety taking their wishes into consideration.

7. Members were pleased to note the work in partnership with North Middlesex hospital.

8. Members were in agreement with Cllr Anolue’s points and enquired further about  children in the same situation as discussed were supported in schools.

9. Police Officers explained that schools have a set programme of educational pieces, workshops and presentations that go out to schools. Every secondary school has a designated lead officer to safeguard individuals. Too often the children normalise domestic abuse.

10. It was confirmed that there is a problem prosecuting sexual offences due to cultural sensitivities. It is a challenge encouraging young people to report or testify in court as often they just will not engage with the prosecution. However, there is confidence in the strong and robust partnerships in Enfield.

11. Bevan Betton suggested including statistics on religious backgrounds going forward which the police agreed with as religious communities should also be encouraged to report incidents and help with safeguarding.

12. In response to a question on whether the current economic difficulties have led to an increase in the figures, police officers shared that numbers had remained broadly consistent during a five-year period so no conclusions could be drawn.