Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of the Domestic Violence Board held on 8 July 2008 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Attendance

• Cindy Butts MPA, Chair of DVB
• Wendy Williams CPS
• John Preuth GOL
• Joanne Tutt London Councils
• Davina James-Hanman GLDVP
• Kirsten Hearn MPA
• Diane Campbell LCJB
• Laurence Gouldbourne MPA
• Michael Wadham MPA
• Sam Evans MPA
• Melissa Wagstaff MPA
• Gerry Campbell MPS
• Barry Norman MPS
• Zoe Pullman Merton
• Erica Rolle Hillingdon
• Elizabeth Harrison Haven Whitechapel
• Manju Lukhman Newham
• Jan Scott Victim Support London
• Susan Patterson MPS
• Vicky Kielinger MPS
• David Gaywood Bromley
• Mark Coulter Mens Advice Line
• Joyce Parker Ealing
• Venesha Patel Westminster
• Patrick Green Victim Support London
• Harpreet Gill Bexley
• Ian Jarman Bexley
• Beryl Foster Standing Together
• Cath Kane Brent
• Nicola Sharp Refuge
• Julia Dwyer Refuge
• Shaminder Ubhi Ashiana
• Sawsan Salim Kurdistan Refugee Women’s Organisation
• Jill Maddison Croydon
• Purnima Uppal CPS
• Deborah McIlveen Womens Aid
• Caitriona Scanlan Camden
• Helen Elliott Barnet
• Anna Tapsell Lambeth CPCG

Apologies

• Aneeta Prem MPA
• Mark Simmons MPS
• Anthony Willis Standing Together

Apologies, notes of previous meeting, borough progress reports and Umbria

1. The Chair stated that this was the seventh meeting of the Domestic Violence Board (DVB) and briefly outlined the structure previous meetings had taken.

2. It was noted that Anni Marjoram, the former Mayor’s advisor on woman’s’ issues, had left her post at the GLA. The Chair requested that the DVB’s thanks for her contribution be formally recorded in the minutes and a copy sent to her.
Action

Notes of last meeting

3. The DVB considered the notes of the meeting that had taken place on 4 March 2008.

4. Item 3 – A letter had been written to the Home secretary, Jacqui Smith.

5. Item 6 – the Chair had discussed the Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT) training pilots with Mark Simmons, who had taken over from Shaun Sawyer. The Board would be updated on their progress by the Chair at the next meeting.
Action

6. Item 9 – Gerry Campbell, Violent Crime Directorate, had reported that the MPS had started a project examining disproportionality in domestic violence (DV), which was to have been reported to the DVB in May. However although this work had commenced, it would not now be completed until August / September.
Action

7. Item 12 and 16 – DV arising from sporting events and Project Umbra would be discussed during the agenda.

8. Item 22 – Anni Marjoram, GLA, had offered to circulate the notes of a meeting with the new head of Public Health. Laurence Gouldbourne reported that he had spoken to Bob McDonald and written to him about NHS representation on the DVB.

9. Item 27 – An update would be provided regarding the case of a woman killed by her violent partner released on bail.
Action

10. Item 32 – Laurence Gouldbourne had suggested that the CPS DV Policy should be revisited. He reported that he had not yet followed this up, but would do so at a meeting with the CPS in the coming week.
Action

11. Item 34—53 – The DVB was informed that the MPS would report when it had something to add on DV training for Metcall staff.

12. Item 91 – Kensington and Chelsea’s use of digital cameras had been noted. It was reported that all boroughs were supplied with equipment to gather evidence. Its use would be reinforced at the next Detective Inspectors meeting. DVB members were invited to attend.

13. Item 123 - Laurence Gouldbourne had reported that a follow up report had been received from Camden within which they had outlined their relationship with the Health Service.

14. Item 138 – At the last meeting specialist DV courts were discussed. Laurence Gouldbourne reported that he had spoken to Diane Campbell regarding funding and accreditation for specialist courts.

15. The notes of the last meeting were agreed.

Update from Kensington and Chelsea

16. A letter from the borough had been circulated to DVB members.

17. Gerry Campbell reported that Kensington and Chelsea worked with the Moroccan community through two organisations and provided an update on work with prostitutes. He added that a paper had been presented by Shaun sawyer to AC Godwin on enforcement around DV by Safer Neighbourhood teams

18. The Chair was concerned that proposals around DV in the MPS would be lost with the constant turnover of lead officers. Gerry Campbell said the MPS could provide reassurance that initiatives were not lost, and that good practices would be reinforced.

19. In relation to Kensington and Chelsea’s presentation to the last DVB, the Chair notice that poor performing boroughs often gave good presentation, whilst better performing boroughs gave poorer ones. The borough commander had been a little bruised by the last meeting. The Chair had since spoken to him.

Update from Kensington and Chelsea

20. A letter from the borough had been circulated to DVB members.

Matrix of actions

21. A matrix of action was circulated before the meeting.

22. The MPS reporting that extraction of equality data was getting easier.

23. Laurence Gouldbourne asked if the review of CRIS was complete, as the Muslim Safety Forum had informed him it was. He was told that a review was complete, but upgrades remained to be made to CRIS. However, the end-to-end review had been suspended due to lack of resources within the MPS. Betsy Stanko would be now be reviewing only four boroughs. The Chair stated the MPS needed to make progress on the end-to-end review clearer.
Action

24. A DVB member stated equality of access to DV data was needed by Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs) Gerry Campbell said this would be emphasised at a meeting on Thursday.
Action

Domestic violence and sport

25. An Australian report on ‘Domestic violence incident peaks: seasonal factors, calendar events and sporting matches’ had been circulated before the meeting. The Chair stated there were links between sport, alcohol consumption and violence, and asked what the DVB could do to raise this as an issue. The DVB asked if work had been done following the Australian and Greek Olympic Games. It was noted that athletics had a different demographic to football. The MPS had concluded that there was no connect between sport and DV, but between alcohol and DV. A DVB member stated she had asked the MPS to review any research in relation to DV and the Olympics Games in her role as Chair of the MPA’s Equal Opportunity and Diversity Board. Gerry Campbell undertook to see if this had been started.
Action

26. Laurence Gouldbourne asked if, given the lack of research, it was worth commissioning research on the subject. A DVB member suggested that as there was already research available, perhaps a literature review was required. Another suggested that people trafficking and prostitution, as well as DV, be included in the review. The Chair suggested the DVB have a standalone session on DV in relation to the Olympic Games in the future.
Action

Project Umbria

27. A report by the MPS on Project Umbra was received by the DVB. Gerry Campbell explained the background to the report. The last London Domestic Violence Forum Steering Group had agreed that the project had stalled and that a stock take was required. It was noted that only one strand was still meeting, although another was meeting with the CPS outside the structure.

28. Laurence Gouldbourne expressed concern about the distribution of monies for partnership working. He asked whether agencies should hold the money or should it be given to the voluntary sector to use. A further update on Umbra and how it is funded would be given at the next meeting.
Action

29. The LCJB would be invited to the next meeting of the Steering Group.

Domestic violence arrest rates and cautions

30. Gerry Campbell introduced this report.

31. It was suggested that data input practices could account for the discrepancy between the CPS and MPS charging figures (para 20-21). It was felt that victim safety could be a further performance measure (para 45). Some members expressed discomfort with the expression ‘gender-neutral positive action’ as they felt it discriminated against woman. Gerry Campbell said this definition was developed with the Strategic Partnership. Some DVB members disputed this.

32. Questions were asked about ‘ethnic appearance’ categories (para 39). The DVB was informed that these were old categories used by officers when suspects could not be asked to define their ethnicity. A DVB member stated that no report should come to the MPA with the ‘6 plus 1’ ethnic codes.

33. It was suggested that DVB might want to look at Standard Operating Procedures again.

34. Questions were asked about DV and under 18s (para 4). A DVB member spoke about Lambeth’s research into Form 124D cautions. The research had concluded that the form took too long to complete. Gerry Campbell explained that Form 142D had three purposes: a risk identification / management tool; an aide memoir for investigating officers; and provision of a tear off slip to assist victims.

A Board member requested to know which partners were consulted on the review of the 124d.
Action

35. Questions were asked about repeat victimisation. Gerry Campbell added that the Public Protection Group was taking forward further work on this. In regard to victim satisfaction, he said a debate was ongoing on how this could be take forward with other agencies without comprising the safety of victims.

36. It was noted that an NHS contact had asked the MPS to provide a seminar for accident and emergency managers.

37. A DVB member queried the statistics in relation to forced marriages. She was told that some incidents involved a number of victims, for instance sisters.

38. Questions were asked about how borough commanders were held accountable for DV performance on their boroughs. The DVB was informed they were accountable to a number of fora including the ACTP and DV Unit. BOCU commanders also had regular meetings with their community safety detective inspectors.

39. The Chair warned that when the new Mayor took charge of the police authority there could well be changes in policing priorities. To counteract this, the MPS need to focus on day-to-day accountability structures. The DVB could assist the MPS with this. She would also raise it this with the Commissioner and ACTP. She added that there was an urgent need to know the effect of cautioning perpetrators;
Action

Child Protection

40. The MPS introduced this report.

41. A DVB member raised concern about the language used in the report and provisions for 16-18 year olds. The MPS accepted the points made about female genital mutilation affecting mainly females and explained that Home Office figures suggests that forced marriages affects 85% young females and 15% males. The MPS advised that the gap in provisions for 16-18 year olds would need to be moved forward with government.

42. The MPS informed the Board of the development of the Public Protection Desk (PPD), which is an amalgamation of different units, including Community Safety Teams and Sapphire Team. The PPD provides strategic support to manage perpetrators. The Chair requested that the Board receives a report on the work of PPD.
Action

43. A DVB member asked why there was no mention of disability in the equality impact assessment (EIA) of the report and why the EIA for each report presented was identical. The child protection report, In particular, should have been different as it relates to children and young persons. The MPS accepted that there were omissions in the report and undertook to address them in future submissions.

44. KH queried what information was asked for on the commissioning brief, as the report did not cover the cost of the project. MPS advised that costing would be provided at a later date in a follow up report from Child Abuse Command.

45. In relation to para 86, the Chair asked why focus was placed on supplementary schools. In response the MPS advised that this was because these schools sit outside the mainstream curriculum.

46. In relation to Para 73, of the report the Chair questioned the MPS on the community engagement area of the work. In particular the MPS awareness of cultural issues/ practices and how they reach communities who do not form part of normal consultation process.

47. The MPS advised that they carryout quality assurance around community engagement projects and that relationships have been built with the Congolese and Ethiopian communities. The community engagement strategy is to target the hard to reach and to invite as many from minority communities to come forward. They advised that individuals that came forward were subjected to vetting and scrutiny and may also come to notice through MPS indices. Members of the group would robustly deal those that come with an agenda.

48. A DVB member asked what happened when children reached social services, poor systems and lack of clarity on Merlin meant that this was often unclear. Research shows that a percentage of children aged 11 –17 who caused concern because of their behaviour had association with DV. The MPS were asked if they looked at the level of DV experience of children coming in contact with the police for gang related offences. They were also asked about the experience of boys who do not go to refuges, as they are vulnerable and not properly supported.

49. In response the MPS acknowledged the limitations of Merlin and other MPS IT assets. They advised that Merlin is due to be updated. The PPD now ensures that Merlin entries are assessed and communication with external organisations takes place. Commander Alan Gibson from Child Protection Command is doing work on how to improve the service to young boys.

50. Laurence Gouldbourne advised that Merlin is moving to the Police National Computer Database in 2009 and the issues should be addressed through the MPA’s involvement with Every Child Matters.

51. Kirsten asked what selection criteria was used and what are they looking for. The MPS responded that they look for people to form part of a community consultation group. Volunteers should be a part of the community – they look at what volunteers can bring to the group and are always open to ideas.

52. Laurence asked if the MPA Youth Scrutiny recommendations to date have impacted SCD5. It was reported that the MPS Youth Scrutiny is annually revised and the 30 MPA recommendations are to be included. A report on the MPS Youth Scrutiny is due to be presented to the October Full Authority

53. A DVB member asked about the presence of boys/young men in refuges. It was reported that most refuges take 14 to 15 year olds. However, only 15% of those eligible use refuges. Most take alternative accommodation that will take boys.

54. The Board requested that a case history of individual cases is considered when investigating crimes such as knife crime, as survivors of DV should be supported.

55. The Board also suggested that a message is sent to strategist dealing with Operation Blunt to ensure the DV background is considered.
Action

56. A DVB member asked about the needs of women with no recourse to public funds. Many of these women are from BME communities and may also face language barriers. They have no knowledge of resources available to them, may face deportation and have no trust in the police. Information on resources available does not reach these communities because of the lack of publicity and the availability of translated information.

57. The MPS advised that they are aware of the concerns of these women and that the CSU have cross working projects to secure accommodation. The MPS advised that they have a communication marketing strategy and publicise organisations in national events and have national phone numbers. They advised that it is the Boroughs responsibility to know their community and develop a commitment to their community. SNTs could be used to distribute material. However, there is currently a gap between the role of SNTs in the 32 boroughs. The widening mission of SNT is to mainstream into other areas of policing. They are a visible presence and should know what exist locally and be deployed on public protection matters. A paper has been written to inform the debate on the widening mission of SNTs.

58. The Chair suggested that the needs of women with no recourse to public funds should be made more prominent when the Board have focus on boroughs.
Action

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