Domestic Violence
Violence Against Women Initiative Prevention & Protection Projects
Project List:
More on the Violence Against Women Initiative
Thurrock Police Co-ordinator
SUMMARY
Enhance services to all victims of Domestic Violence and in particular those subject of repeat offences of violence in the home.
INTERVENTIONS
1. Employ a Domestic Violence Co-ordinator Worker to:
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develop a data base from all participating agencies (this will be victim focused and will take in additional data from all agencies consulted in the partnership to include health, Refuge and Rape Crisis etc);
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co-ordinate responses to victims;
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guide, direct and support victims e.g. to safe residences - refuges or distress/emotional support - Victim Support.
2. Provide Polaroid cameras to operational offices to enhance police evidence gathering practices and support prosecution.
3. Provide mobile phones linked to the 999 system to improve support for victims.
ACTIONS ALREADY TAKEN
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The Police have an established Domestic Violence Policy, with an emphasis on a ‘pro-arrest’ approach – effect more arrests and positive action for Domestic Violence offences.
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Four cameras are already available in Thurrock Division for evidence gathering but these have a limited effect as they are not always available at the scenes of crime.
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Victim Support Scheme and Police have a pilot project to follow up and contact/visit victims involving more serious incidents – the results have yet to be analysed.
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The Thurrock Domestic Violence Panel, with major local organisations represented, has a multi agency commitment to tackling the problem of Domestic Violence but requires greater co-ordination to catch victims slipping through the net.
OTHER INITIATIVES
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A multi agency pilot project in schools targeting year 9 (14yrs. old) is under way. This is assessing attitudes and developing intervention programmes. It is affliated to the 'Zero Tolerance' campaign. Funded by participating organisations and applications to the National Lottery.
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It is anticipated that the local refuge will have a new building to accommodate more victims locally, timescale 3 - 4 years.
AGENCIES INVOLVED
Essex Police Thurrock Division, Thurrock Women'sAid (Refuge), Victim Support, Thurrock Council Social Services, and Child Protection South Essex Rape Incest Crisis Centre (S.E.R.I.C.C.)
South Wales Alarms
SUMMARY
Provide alarms for victims of domestic violence in Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough, South Wales to enable them to have security within their own homes.
INTERVENTIONS
The Family Support Unit of the Police will buy Carelink alarms for women to access directly to enable them to have security in their own homes. It could reduce the numbers of women going into a refuge. Alternatively it could provide ongoing protection for women when they return home of if needed to be accommodated in a bed and breakfast. It will allow women to have quicker access to the police.
Carelink services have a dedicated control room which monitors and directs all activities. There is two-way speech and type recorded activity that can be used as evidence for criminal proceedings. The control staff can remain in voice contact with the callers.
Alarms will be available to (and in the priority order of):
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Victims who have obtained a court injunction against their ex-partners.
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Existence of a police record of violence at the address or police judgement of current probability of attack.
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Referral from another agency or a self-referral by a victim
The approach has been piloted with a small number of alarms already so principles and procedures are already in place.
AGENCIES INVOLVED
South Wales Police Force, Pontypridd Women’s Aid, Social Services, Rhondda Women’s Aid, Cynon Women’s Aid, Probation, Education, health, Housing Advice, Legal, Magistrates, Rhondda Victim Support.
Last update: June 2003