Domestic Violence – Policy for Children and Young People’s Directorate
A proposed DRAFT Policy for SCC Children and Young People’s Services Directorate and Schools
CONTENTS
Section 1.Suffolk CYP Directorate:
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE POLICY
1.Introduction
2.What is Domestic Violence and Abuse?
3.The Aims of this Policy
4.Values and Principles
5.Working in Partnership
6.Valuing Diversity
7.Training and Staff Development
Section 2.A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE POLICY FOR SCHOOLS
Section 3. WORKPLACE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
- Statement of Commitment
- Principles of our Commitment
- Guidance for Managers and Staff
- Confidentiality
- Safety at Work
- Employees who are Domestic Violence Abusers
Section4.APPENDICES
1.Domestic Violence Referral Flow Chart
2.Introduction to Tools for Practitioners
3.Contact addresses and where to find help
4.Acknowledgements and Reference Documents
Section 1. SUFFOLK CYPDirectorate
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE POLICY
1. Introduction
Domestic violence has profound consequences in the lives of individuals, their families and communities. Domestic violence occurs across all aspects of society, it creates complex personal and social problems which impact in the wider community as well as on those directly affected. The introduction of new legislation detailed in the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill (2004), is based on the Government’s proposals outlined in the consultation paper Safety and Justice, which support criminal and civil remedies and is indicative of the Government’s commitment to tackle domestic violence. The Government public awareness campaign has raised public concerns about the prevalence of domestic violence and this has led to a change in public attitudes. The view that that domestic violence is a private matter and that violence, intimidation and other abusive behaviours are somehow more acceptable in a domestic setting is being challenged.
The high correlation between child abuse and domestic violence is recognised in Suffolk’s Area Child Protection Committee’s Joint Policies and Procedures for the Protection of Children and the needs of children who suffer emotional harm through witnessing domestic violence are now being acknowledged. However, domestic violence is present in the lives of many adults and older people and there are real concerns that vulnerable adults, such as those with physical and learning difficulties or mental health problems, will have increased difficulty in seeking help.
In Suffolk, Government investment in the Tools for Practitioners project and the public awareness campaign Break the Pattern – Stop Domestic Violence has raised the issue to prominence locally; this has led to a significant increase in domestic violence incidents being reported to the police. The levels of disclosure are rising, and although this is disturbing, it should be viewed in a positive light and does suggest people are reporting incidents and seeking help with confidence that the issue will be taken seriously.
2.What is Domestic Violence and Abuse?
2.1The Home Office define domestic violence as:
“any violence between current or former partners in an intimate relationship, wherever and whenever it occurs. The violence may include physical, sexual, emotional, psychological or financial abuse.”
This definition has been adopted by a number of agencies including Suffolk Social Care Services.
2.2The term domestic violence and domestic abuse are used interchangeably throughout this policy. The primary focus of this policy is abuse between current and former partners; it is not the abuse of children or the abuse of vulnerable adults.
2.3 Domestic abuse is a pattern of assault and coercive behaviours and is characterised by the exercise of control and the misuse of power by one person over another in an intimate relationship. The pattern can involve multiple tactics and multiple episodes which can escalate in frequency and severity over time, that occur inside or outside the home, between current or former partners.
2.4 Domestic abuse also takes place after the relationship has terminated and can continue indefinitely. The time before and after separation can and does often lead to an escalation in violence and abusive behaviours. Domestic violence can begin or can often escalate when a women is particularly vulnerable, e.g. during pregnancy.
2.5Research shows that in heterosexual relationships, the majority of perpetrators of domestic violence are male, with women more likely to experience violence and other forms of abuse. Women can also be perpetrators in heterosexual relationships.
2.6Domestic violence also occurs within some same sex relationships. Research suggests a higher ratio of domestic violence occurring in male same sex relationships than in female same sex relationships.
3.The Aims of this Policy
3.1Suffolk CYP Directorate is committed in addressing the issue of domestic violence for our customers staff and the adults who affect the lives of the children and young people whom we serve. The aim of this policy is to provide a framework to ensure that those customersstaff and other adultswho experience and disclose domestic violence receive an effective, reliable and co-ordinated service that places the safety of survivors and children at the centre of interventions.
3.2This policy will work with other departmentalCounty Councilpolicies and multi-agency services to ensure that pathways for progression and on-going support are available to those recovering from the effects of domestic abuse. It will also underpin identification and early intervention to prevent escalation and stop abuse happening.
4.Values and Principles
4.1Suffolk Social Care ServicesCounty Councilalong with partnership agencies has a duty to support the survivors of domestic violence; and to work together with other agencies, to create joint services that are appropriate and accessible, meeting both safety and welfare needs and allowing positive choices in the future.
4.2Social Care ServicesSuffolk CYP Directorate is committed to providing a consistent and sensitive response to those experiencing domestic violence. This will include:
( i)Recognising the first priority must be the safety of those experiencing domestic violence and their children.
(ii)Responding to victims and the non–abusing parent by providing practical and emotional support.
(iii)Providing quality and empowering advice and accurate information.
(iv)Raising awareness and providing staff training through ‘Tools for Practitioners’.
(v)Developing with other agencies joint protocols and coordinated services to address domestic violence.
4.3Research has identified a failure to acknowledge the needs of children who have been emotionally harmed through witnessing domestic violence. (Children and Domestic Violence in Rural Areas - Save the Children, 2003). The effects on children who witness or become involved in domestic violence must be identified and their welfare needs safeguarded. In every case where Social Care ServicesSuffolk CYP Directorate is made aware of domestic abuse the needs of children will be assessed, using the Framework for Assessment of Children in Need and their Families. Child Assessment Framework, Inter- Agency Protocol & Guidelines 2001 This will be underpinned by safety planning in accordance with the process outlined in Tools for Practitioners Guidance for Staff. It is now widely accepted, that often supporting the safety of a non-abusive parent in response to domestic violence can be the most effective way of promoting the child’s welfare. (Suffolk Area Child Protection Committee Joint Policies & Procedures for the Protection of Children; FromGood Intentions to Good Practice, 2000).
4.4Child protection procedures are not automatically triggered by the incidence of domestic violence but in every case where initial assessment indicates a child may be a victim of violence or abuse Suffolk’s Area Child Protection Committee Joint Policies & Procedures for the Protection of Children, will apply
4.5 Some adults may be particularly vulnerable and may be at risk of, or experiencing abuse, in a trusting and close relationship that includes intimacy. In cases where vulnerable adults need protection the procedures outlined in theSuffolk Vulnerable Adult Protection Committee Adult Protection Policyshould be followed.
4.6All victims of domestic violence making contact with Social Care ServicesSuffolk CYP Directoratewill be offered information and advice, and if appropriate, will be re-directed to other agencies who may better meet their needs.
5. Working in Partnership
5.1The Crime and Disorder Act (1998) places a statutory requirement on Responsible Authorities - the County Council, Police, District and Borough Councils - to work in partnership with other agencies including Health and the Voluntary sector to tackle crime and disorder.
5.2The Children Act (1989) requires other agencies to work in partnership with Local Authorities to support children in need.
5.3Suffolk County Council is required to produce a Community Safety Strategy, domestic violence is one of the major priority areas. The seven District and Borough Councils in Suffolk each have their own Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships; domestic violence is featured in all the local plans. Social Care Services are represented on these partnerships and are well placed to work with the other agencies in promoting ways of addressing domestic violence.
5.4The importance of creating well-defined links between multi-agency Domestic Violence Forums and the Area Child Protection Committees is highlighted in Working Together to Safeguard Children (DOH 1999). Suffolk’s Area Child Protection Committee, Joint Policies and Procedures for the Protection of Children include a section on domestic violence and guidance for agencies in response to children who may be at risk.
5.5The Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families strengthens joint working and emphasises “the importance of early intervention, good joint working practices and understanding at local level”. Tools for Practitioners Guidance underpins collaborative working by reinforcing no single agency have the lead role for early intervention or for addressing domestic violence.
5.6Suffolk Social Care ServicesCYP Directoratewill work in partnership with other Departments of the County Council, other statutory and voluntary agencies to tackle domestic violence. This includes working with:
- NHS Health Trusts
- Suffolk Constabulary
- Suffolk Probation Service
- The Courts and Crown Prosecution Service
- District and Borough Councils
- Local Authority and other housing providers
- Local Domestic Violence Fora
- Women’s Aid and survivor groups
6. Valuing Diversity
6.1The Department’s commitment to challenging discrimination and creating equality of opportunity means ensuring our services are sensitive and responsive to the needs of all our customer groups. Victims of domestic violence from diverse backgrounds, those with special needs, mental health problems, physical and learning disabilities may have additional difficulties in accessing and asking for help.
6.2Those experiencing domestic abuse and their children from minority ethnic and other communities may need specific services. Cultural differences must be valued, but must not be used to prevent effective intervention and support for those experiencing violence and abuse.
7Training and Staff Development
7.1Training will be provided to raise staff awareness of domestic violence and abuse as well as how to help those experiencing domestic violence make safety and crisis plans.
The training will be an ongoing rolling programme to ensure all staff are involved and are kept regularly updated.
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Section 2: SUFFOLK CYP Directorate
A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE POLICY FOR SCHOOLS
Domestic Violence - A policy for SuffolkSchools and Services for Children and Young People.
1. Purpose
This policy seeks to:
- support and empower individuals to gain control and choice over their own lives and to encourage them to disclose concerns if they need support at work;
- help schools better meet the needs of children living with or fleeing domestic violence through awareness raising, training and a ‘whole school approach’ on bullying, citizenship and personal and social relationships;
- create an environment, attitude and culture within schools as workplaces where individuals suffering from domestic violence are confident that they will be treated in a supportive and sympathetic way; and
- reduce social tolerance and ‘normalisation’ of domestic violence and violence against women more generally so that it is no longer excused, minimised or ignored.
2. Who experiences domestic violence?
2.1Anyone can become a victim of Domestic Violence. Men and women can both suffer. This guide refers in particular to women as experiencing domestic violence. Home Office research reveals that up to half of all UK women have experienced domestic violence at some point in their lives. Whilst nearly half of women and a quarter of men report being subject to an incident of interpersonal violence, when there are more than 4 incidents, 89 per cent of victims are women and “the more frequent and severe the violence the greater the gender asymmetry”. Domestic abuse remains the most common form of violence that women experience.
2.2Every week at least two women in the UK are killed by a current or former partner. Domestic violence accounts for almost one quarter of all reported violent crimes and there is one call per minute to the police about domestic violence. These figures are not disaggregated by ethnicity and the extent of violence suffered by minority ethnic women, therefore, is not known. It is known, however, that a disproportionate 40 per cent of women in refuges are from minority ethnic communities.
3 Domestic violence impacts on all women including teachers
3.1Women of all different cultures, backgrounds, age and ethnicity suffer domestic violence. Domestic violence occurs within same sex couples and research indicates that disabled people face disproportionately high incidents of domestic violence. Women from black and minority ethnic groups may face additional barriers to finding places of safety. They may be reluctant to approach the police. Organisations campaigning for black and minority ethnic women in relation to domestic violence, matrimonial rights and family problems are listed in Appendix 3.
3.2A TUC Survey included evidence from a number of teachers from different parts of the country suffering domestic violence. Women in the TUC Survey spoke of their sense of shame and their unwillingness to talk to anyone and uncertainty about who they could talk to.
4. Preventative work in schools
4.1Research on children and domestic violence has demonstrated not only that it is perfectly possible to talk to children and young people about interpersonal violence but also that there is a great need to do so. This is because young people are confused about the issue and want to learn more, andbecause those children who have lived with violence want to talk about it and make sense of their experiences. For all young people, whether or not they have lived with violence, peers emerge as an important source of support. Young people often find it easier to talk to their friends than to adults and discussing the issues together may be their favoured way of learning.
4.2Research shows that prevention work in schools should start at or prior to the age 11, before attitudes begin to harden. Schools are perfect places to work with children and young people while they form their ideas about relationships. The aim should be to prevent violence from being a feature in their lives, rather than to intervene after the event.
4.3The belief that children and young people who live with violence are themselves most likely to grow up to be violent is not substantiated by research. Indeed, children who have seen the impact of abuse are often strongly opposed to the repetition of such patterns in their own adult lives.
5 Tackling domestic violence through the curriculum
5.1Attitudes towards women and girls that regard them as inferior to men and boys lie at theheart of most domestic violence. Within a broader context of schools’ work on respect and conflict resolution, work needs to focus on gender stereotypes, on mutual respect in intimate relationships, and on challenging the condoning of domestic violence. Work on school culture and the prevention of bullying can usefully incorporate work on homophobic and racist abuse, as well as sexist bullying. It should always retain a focus on the causes of domestic violence as an essential element.
5.2Research recognises that violence perpetrated against women is one of the ways in which male power is used to control women. It is these underlying attitudes that can be challenged by schools as part of the whole school ethos. The issue should be addressed on a continuing basis otherwise the effect evaporates within a year. Tackling sexism and violence against women should therefore be part of the whole school culture and not a “one-off” exercise.
5.3Learning can spread far beyond Personal Social and Health Education into specific subject areas such as Drama and English and potentially to every area of the curriculum. It is highly relevant to Citizenship education, for example in relation to valuing people equally, respecting the law, and being a good citizen. There are also obvious links with equal opportunities policies in individual schools.