Southwark update

Report: 1b
Report for the Domestic and Sexual Violence Board
Date: 13 July 2010
By DCI Julie Bidewell

1.1 Summary of issues discussed by the Domestic and Sexual Violence Board with the MPS BOCUs/ SCD2 requiring an update:

• Southwark CSU to consider lowering threshold for MARAC applications
• Southwark BOCU to feedback on the FGM project mentioned in report
• Southwark BOCU to liaise with TPHQ on expectations for minimum levels of CSU staff training and provide a plan on ensuring that BOCU staff training meets the levels identified by TPHQ
• Southwark BOCU / SDC2 to share best practice in relation to sexual violence and gang/ serious youth violence activity
• Southwark SDC2 to feedback on the proposed focus on youth and sexual violence work as explored by SODA
• Southwark CSU to feedback on why with such a high domestic violence arrest rate, the sanction detection rate is not commensurately high
• Southwark CSU to feedback on best practice around dealing with HBV / FM
• Southwark BOCU/ CSU to confirm or otherwise that all the 13 IDVA's referred to in the report are all funded from Southwark

2.1 Southwark CSU to consider lowering threshold for MARAC applications,

2.2 The Chair of MARAC, has discussed the referral system with partners at the MARAC. It was highlighted that there are some agencies that should make referrals and who only make a referrals periodically. Since addressing the issue there has not been any significant increase in referral numbers.

2.3 The CAADA recommendation for a police referral is 3 offences or 5 incidents reported within 12 months.

2.4 The referrals from Southwark Police have previously been based on whether or not the level of risk is assessed as high regardless of the number of incidents/allegations reported within the 12 month period. Additionally, very high risk cases are dealt with immediately due to level of risk, which keeps police referrals down.

2.5 The MARAC is soon to be reviewed by CAADA. It has been decided that the suggested CAADA bench mark for police referral will be used for a period of 3 months to see whether or not the number of police referrals has increased or decreased by using this referral method.

2.6 The issue of poor attendance has been addressed. Heads of agencies have been contacted to ask for their support in improved representation from their agencies and to ensure those attending have appropriately prepared for the meeting. Outcome; there has been an improvement in the attendance of some partner agencies over the last few months with dedicated representatives being assigned.

3.1 Southwark BOCU to feedback on the FGM project mentioned in report;

3.2 A sub group from Southwark Safer Children’s Board (SSCB) was formed to look at FGM, the outcome showed more work needed to be done on FGM and it was taken to Sexual Offences and Domestic Abuse Steering Group (SODA) to see if SODA could and should take the lead on it.

3.3 On the recommendation from colleagues on the SODA steering group, the services of Dr Comfort Momoh, M.B.E, specialist midwife in female genital mutilation (FGM) at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust have been secured to lead in setting up a multi-agency group and a pathway for FGM starting with Southwark with a view to rolling it out to involve Lambeth & Lewisham.

3.4 The first workshop was held on 9th March, SODA panel members, which includes police representation from SCD2 and Southwark Public Protection Group were involved in the workshop.

3.5 It was decided at that meeting that SSCB should be asked to commission a needs analysis by African Advocacy Foundation (who have already done some work on this), prior to progressing work in awareness training in the health sector to professionals and to service users. It was highlighted there was a need to make young people, the next generation of parents to have awareness of FGM, to help break the cultural chain around this issue.

3.6 Due to the recent change of government and budget constraints there has been some re-organisation within the local authority and an update meeting has been delayed.

4.1 Southwark BOCU to liaise with TPHQ on expectations for minimum levels of CSU staff training and provide a plan on ensuring that BOCU staff training meets the levels identified by TPHQ.

4.2 Public Protection Crime Manager has liaised with TPHQ, the Crime Academy and Southwark local training unit regarding CSU 5 day course for CSU Officers and DV training for the Borough.

4.3 Since last November TPHQ assisted in obtaining 4 immediate 5 day training course in January and February.

4.4 The CSU lead and training unit have looked at the previous forecast requirement for CSU training and as a result made a bid for additional training courses due to the significant increase in Police officers within the CSU.

4.5 It is not practical or cost effective to train officers prior to a posting in the CSU. However, all officers who receive the CSU 5 day training course have tenure of 1 year to the unit having completed the course. A further 16% (8) CSU officers have received the 5 day CSU course since the November report and an additional 9 places have been secured for 2010 training.

4.6 Southwark Borough continues to provide induction packages for all new staff regardless of experience or service. All CSU staff will have 6 monthly team training -previous training days held December 2009 and April 2010. The next training day is planned for September/October 2010.

4.7 Forced marriage training has been given to all Borough officers (2009).

4.8 Southwark Public Protection Group and Southwark Training Unit have devised a 1 Day DV training package for all officers on the borough. Partner agencies VSS and Bede House have assisted in presenting this training. Delivery of this training started in May 2010 and concludes July 2010.

5.1 Southwark BOCU / SDC2 to share best practice in relation to sexual violence and gang/ serious youth violence activity.

5.2 SCD2 and Borough continue to work together on this issue with other agencies.

5.3 SCD2 and Borough regularly liaise with the gang’s desk in the BIU. Sexual offences and gang activity is on the Daily Management Agenda; it is discussed at the TTCG fortnightly meeting and the fortnightly Hamroe meeting.

5.4 As a result of the new, “Working together “guidance, Children Social Services lead a project group to look at how we could improve our service to children in relation to sexual exploitation. There is now a Multi Agency Sexual Exploitation panel (MASE) which will sit monthly to look at referrals from various agencies. The first panel was due to sit on June 23rd but has been delayed until 21st July. The SSCB has to approve the terms of reference document submitted.

5.5 Additionally, there will be a MASE strategic group, which will sit quarterly to review the progress and outcomes of the monthly panel meeting.

5.6 The Police Public Protection Liaison meeting (multi agency attendance) held quarterly and chaired by the Public Protection Crime Manager also has sexual exploitation on the agenda.

5.7 SCD2 DI sits on a multi agency, child on child abuse panel. This panel has been in place for some time but now has police representation.

5.8 SCD2 Southwark DI is currently putting together a document in relation to group offending sexual violence to enable sharing of good practice; this is work in progress.

5.9 Hamroe is a fortnightly multi agency meeting chaired by Southwark’s Detective Superintendent where gang violence, including sexual violence is discussed to look at ways to reduce gang violence, manage risk relating to gang violence, reduce repeat victimisation and share best practice.

6.1 Southwark SDC2 to feedback on the proposed focus on youth and sexual violence work as explored by SODA.

6.2 Some analysis has been conducted by Southwark Police on Youth and Sexual violence issues highlighted at the MPA meeting - the issues were taken to SODA in January, where a sub group was formed to look at the problem solving around this particular concern. It was highlighted that any work within the schools needed the support of the head teachers association and that there is already multi agency working groups looking at similar issues. The work required needed to link in with these other groups and not to be work in isolation.

6.3 Recommendations from the workshop;

Short term; deal with immediate concerns relating to any particular subjects/schools, a team working in partnership should address the criminal aspects of forced sexual activity - awareness of what sexual activity constitutes a criminal act and support for those who may as a result of the awareness activity disclose themselves as a victim/survivor of abuse and discuss Respect.

Medium/Long term; education package to be delivered in partnership to secondary schools on sexual violence against young people by young people.

6.4 The SODA panel sub group also felt that prior to any immediate action the issue should be raised at SSCB who should take the lead and direct the work required. Public Protection Crime Manager took the issue to the March SSCB meeting.

6.5 A working group has been formed and an independent person has been commissioned to complete a piece of work on youth sexual exploitation from available data over the last two years. This is work in progress and the final report is due towards the end of July.

7. 1 Southwark CSU to feedback on why with such a high domestic violence arrest rate, the sanction detection rate is not commensurately high.

7.2 In November 2009 the sanction detection rate increased from 39% - 44% just missing the target of 45% set for 2009 - 2010 financial year.

7.3 The low conversion rate to charge from arrest has been looked at.

There is more than one issue, which has contributed to the low sanction detection rate. Staffing levels - housekeeping - viw’s not willing to substantiate allegations - evidence gathering.

7.4 It was acknowledged prior to the MPA report the CSU was understaffed; an increase in staff addressed the issue of workload balance however new staff joined the team with minimal experience in CSU work / investigation. The staffing levels increased in October 2009 and as with all new roles there is a need for a settling in, allowing knowledge and experience to build up.

7.5 All new staff are given an induction pack and an induction talk from their supervisors, which helps officers to become effective sooner. Team training took place in December 2009 and April 2010 with a view for a full team training day to take place every 6 months. Eight Officers have received the 5 day CSU course this year and a further 9 courses have been given.

7.6 A weeks sampling of 124D’s showed there were issues in the quality of the completed 124D’s and quality of the primary investigation by response officers. The public Protection Crime Manager has consulted with Southwark training team and together, have produced a DV training package to be delivered in partnership ( VSS - CSU and training team) across the Borough. The training commenced in April 2010 and runs through to the middle of July.

7.7 The training covers positive action - completion of 124D - reasons for victim/survivors not engaging/withdrawing, what support is available for DV victims/survivors - maximising the window of opportunity to obtain/retrieve evidence - managing risk - unsupported prosecutions.

8.1 Southwark CSU to feedback on best practice around dealing with HBV / FM

8.2 Southwark CSU delivered HBV and FM training to uniform officers, which included the new ACPO training video.

8.3 Southwark CSU currently has a high risk team, which specifically deals with these types of allegations, however the experience and knowledge of the High risk intervention team in relation to HBV/FM is being escalated to all officers within the CSU providing a professional level of service and response at all times.

8.4 Southwark Public Protection Crime Manager delivered a DV presentation, which covered HBV/FM to a group of new MPA employee’s - showing the new ACPOP video on HBV/FM.

9.1 Southwark BOCU/ CSU to confirm or otherwise that all the 13 IDVAs referred to in the report are all funded from Southwark

9.2 Mis-information was provided to Jonathon Toy Head of Community Safety and some clarification is required around the 13 IDVA’s he spoke about.

9.3 There are 11 IDVA’s, which Safer Southwark Partnership can utilise in providing support for DV victims/survivors. Six are fully funded by Safer Southwark Partnership (SPP).

9.4 The current available breakdown is;

• Victim Support Services (VSS); 2.5xIDVA’s.
• Sanctuary funds .5 (half) of a post - Sanctuary is funded by SSP.
• One (1) full post funded by SSP
• One (1) post funded by City Bridge Trust.
• Bede Hse; 2.5xIDVA posts - all funded by SSP.
• Mosaic; 2xIDVA’s - funded by PCT / grants; there services are accessed by Lambeth / Lewisham and Southwark - 38% of Mosaic referrals are from Southwark.
• Reach; 2xIDVA posts funded by City Parochial trust and match funded by Lambeth. Their services are accessed by Southwark.
• Crt IDVA’S x 2; managed by refuge and funded by SSP.

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