Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Board held on 28 July 2009 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Valerie Brasse, MPA
• Kirsten Hearn, MPA
• Nicola Speechly, GoL
• Colin Fitzgerald, Respect
• Anthony Wills, Standing Together
• Yeliz Osman GLA
• Elizabeth Harrison, Havens
• Marion Winterholler, Havens

MPA officers

• Siobhan Coldwell
• Michael Wadham
• Lynne Abrams

MPS officers

• DCS Julian Worker
• DCI Gerry Campbell
• DCI Mark Yexley
• DS Sharon Stratton

Guest presenters

• Rosanna Thurlow, Action on Elder Abuse
• Kathryn Stone, Voice UK
• Anne Novis, MPS Disability Advisory Group

Community guests

• Jan Scott, Victim Support
• Mary Cox, Age Concern/ Help the Aged
• Anthony Roache
• oelle Blackman, Respond
• Petra Mohr, Respond
• Maria Sookias, Galop
• Sheila Williams, Older Feminists Network
• Astra Blaug, Older Feminists Network
• Margaret Moore

Apologies

• Cindy Butts, MPA
• Cmdr Mark Simmons, MPS
• Denise Marshall, Eaves
• Hannana Siddiqui, Southall Black Sisters
• Jo Clarke, Havens
• Karen Bailey, GLDVP
• Samantha Evans, MPA
• Asha Davies Jama, Beverley Lewis House

DSVB Session One: Domestic and sexual abuse of older people

Valerie Brasse welcomed all those attending the open part of the DSVB meeting and the first of our thematic sessions. She explained the meeting would first hear a presentation from Rosanna Thurlow from Action on Elder Abuse, and then Gerry Campbell from the CSU Delivery Team would present the MPS report. The meeting would then be open for members and guests to ask questions and discuss the issue.

1. Presentation from Rosanna Thurlow, Action on Elder Abuse

1.2 See accompanying presentation for details.

1.3 Valerie Brasse asked if the presentation could be shared amongst others.

Action: Version of the presentation to be contributed

2. Presentation of MPS report from Gerry Campbell, MPS

(Agenda item 3)

2.1 See MPS report for full details. Gerry explained that there had been some problems with the data and an updated version of the report with data amended would be provided.

Action: Gerry Campbell to provide a supplementary report will be provided in the next 4 weeks

3. DSVB discussion

3.1 Valerie Brasse thanked Rosanna Thurlow and Gerry Campbell, and advised that there is an opportunity for members to ask questions with regards to both presentations.

3.2 Valerie Brasse noted that the data did not add up. For example, if incident levels are as stated at 4% prevalence rate, the MPS data should show 4500 incidents for those aged over 60. It was also apparent from Rosanna’s presentation that the older you are the more likely you are to be abused, however the MPS incidents disappear as they are not tracking that individuals over 65 are more likely to be abused. Gerry Campbell explained that it is based on the data that is being reported. There are clear differences between the MPS police and other organisations in terms of the data they are capturing; the MPS is aware that many crimes are not being reported to them and are therefore not captured in their data.

3.3 Rosanna Thurlow advised that in reference to the MPS’s figures 1 out of 10 individuals are being abused. She states that individuals need to ‘get out there’ which will cost money, resources etc. This is a multi-agency problem.

3.4 Kirsten Hearn questioned what the MPS will be putting in the older people’ strategy. Kirsten Hearn questioned the relationships with organisations such as the MPS, how are older people supported to speak out? There is a discomfort around the notions of vulnerability when support is not provided. People are only vulnerable when others make them so; they are not vulnerable per se.

3.5 Jan Scott advised that what is appearing in the DV data that Victim Support is capturing is that 30% of victims of elder abuse are male. There is a perception that when sexual abuse and abuse of older people is monitored that the vast majority of victims are female. Jan explained that we need to change our thought processes. Gerry Campbell advised that they need to provide more detail on relationships, to further understand the dynamics.

3.6 Anthony Wills said that there are visible pragmatic and cultural issues. There is need for police to change their ways on sexual abuse and violence. There is a need for a partnership push. Valerie Brasse added that there are only so much financial resources to get down to the issues. Issues are tackled when they come to us because it is high profile at the time – then attention moves elsewhere. There needs to be careful consideration on where resources are spent.

3.7 Elizabeth Harrison questioned how the police will support those boroughs that don’t have DV/SV forums. Mark Yexley replied that in September the new serious sexual offences investigation command will launch and this new structure will involve boroughs to be brigaded together.

3.8 Valerie Brasse asked what the Haven experience was and how many older people go to them. Marion Winterholler advised that they collect figures on age. In terms of figures there are few 80 plus individuals, there are more referrals for individuals aged from 55-59, but not significant numbers. However, listening to referrals it’s the anxieties and suspicions that are raised. Those who are in care homes could have their issues disclosed. There are cases where older people cannot get through to Haven but Haven goes to them. This is not publicised as widely as they’d like and individuals are sometimes unaware of the services that they are able to provide.

3.9 Valerie Brasse asked if joint risk assessments occurred. Gerry Campbell replied that depending on the case, single agency or joint agency responses occur. Every case has a documented risk assessment process.. Decision making following on from those assessments should be around the well being of the individual. Older people may not always be the best judge what is happening to them, especially where the abuser is in a position of trust. In cases such as these police will take positive action and arrest that individual/carer.

3.10 Kirsten Hearn said that there is a strong need to look at the multi-agency work that is being done. Julian Worker advised that there was a relatively new focus for them and a learning process is still occurring. There are misunderstandings on what is available to victims. However, they are looking at how to better deal with their services. Julian Worker advised that the CSU Delivery Team is providing seminars for MPS officers on interviewing vulnerable victims and achieving best evidence is such cases.

3.11 Valerie Brasse asked if what Julian would like to see happen on improvements. Julian Worker responded that he would like to see better identification of vulnerable people and awareness of the circumstances to support prevention and understanding. Another area for improvement would be working more closely with those who work alongside vulnerable individuals. He supported Rosanna’s point that legislation is required as there is legislation for children in the protection of older people.

3.12 Anthony Wills said that legislation is not always the answer. He advised that we would need to identify the risk then bring it to the local multi-agency partnership and that it is about educating the front line worker.

3.13 Mary Cox advised that in Leicestershire they have a specific officer allocated to safeguarding, who liaises with social services, local care homes, and others. This is an example of good practice that the MPS could consider adopting.

3.14 Valerie Brasse stated that the session would need to close and outlined areas for the MPS to follow up on at a future closed session of the DSVB. These were;

• MPS to provide the revised data from the MPS elder abuse report
• MPS to update us on how the Safeguarding Adults at Risk SOP is working in practice
• MPS to bring to the group any data or qualitative information they have on men moving from one abusive relationship to another
• MPS to provide update on joint training with the CPS with regards to tackling elder abuse
• MPS to provide an overview of partnership working in regards to elder abuse both within Boroughs and across the MPS

Action: Lynne Abrams to write to Mark Simmons with the above actions.

DSVB Session Two: Sexual violence and disabled people

Kirsten Hearn welcomed all those attending the open part of the DSVB meeting and the second of our thematic sessions. She explained the meeting would first hear a presentation from Kathryn Stone from Voice UK, then Anne Novis from the MOS Disability Advisory Group. Mark Yexley from the Sapphire Team would then present the MPS report. The meeting would then be open for members and guests to ask questions and discuss the issue.

4. Presentation from Kathryn Stone, Voice UK

4.1 Kathryn Stone advised that Voice UK is a national charity supporting people with learning disabilities and other vulnerable people who have experienced crime or abuse. They also support their families, carers and professional workers. As an organisation they also work closely with Respond and the MPS.

4.2 She stated treating people equally is not about treating people the same but recognising their differences. Disabled people’s biggest disability is society and our attitudes towards them.

Research suggests that disabled people are more likely to be sexually assaulted for a number of reasons. Disabled people are more likely to be sexually abused for a number of reasons. They may:

• have low self-esteem and therefore lack power within relationships
• depend on care staff and care services over long periods
• not possess the social awareness or education to detect or anticipate abusive situations
• be afraid to challenge potentially abusive situations. Many people with a learning disability, for example, have been taught not to question authority figures, and worry that the perpetrator will get angry or that they will get into trouble if they refuse
• lack the capacity to consent to sexual relations, as is the case for some people with a severe learning disability
• be unable to recognise after the event that abuse has taken place
• be afraid to report abuse after the event, although they recognise what has happened. Some people have communication difficulties. Others feel that nobody will believe them. Some people have feelings of guilt or shame that prevent them reporting abuse. Others feel that there is nobody to whom they can complain (especially if the perpetrator is a figure of authority).

4.3 Research presented today is an important fact in allowing us to recognise the existing issues. We need to recognise that sexual abuse of disabled people is a fact. Sex crime affects real people and ruins lives. With regards to domestic violence we need to understand why the disabled victim is reluctant to report. Many incidents are left un-reported as there are anxieties of how the disabled person will be perceived or treated as the case is being carried forward. Disbelief from family members and friends is also a factor. When it comes to domestic sexual violence - we need to understand why disabled people are reluctant to report the abuse or leave the abuser.

4.4 Disabled people are likely to have more complex needs, for example for accessible accommodation and transport, assistance with personal care or sign language interpreters, and possibly for specialised emotional support – which domestic violence support services, for example, may not be able to provide.

4.5 Further, because of disabling social attitudes and lack of access or awareness, more general sources of protection used by non-disabled women (such as criminal justice and legal remedies) are often less available to disabled women.

Women stated that a more proactive response was needed from the police than for non-disabled women, as many disabled women are particularly vulnerable, living in extreme fear and will not disclose Women also reported that police did not advise them on other organisations they could turn to. Where police offered options the victims were positive in response. The data leave little doubt that the overwhelming majority of perpetrators are male caregivers, a significant portion of whom are paid service providers who commit their crimes in disability service settings So – some things to think about:

• Treat people with respect: when interviewing disabled people for the first time, check whether they like to be addressed formally or informally.
• Give people the choice of where to sit or be in the room: this increases their sense of safety and empowerment (some traumatised individuals feel safest when closest to the door so that they know they are free to leave)
• Like many survivors of abuse, those with disabilities are often better able to disclose the facts of what happened to them in environments to advocates (or people perceived as friends rather than authority figures) and others, rather than to uniformed officers within more conventional settings (hospitals and police stations).
• Involve disabled people in training but, above all, recognise them as uniquely individual human beings – with individual needs.

5. Presentation from Anne Novis, MPS Disability Independent Advisory Group

5.1 Anne Novis asked how can the MPS ensure that it is providing an equal service to disabled women (and men) who experience sexual violence, including serious sexual assault or rape?

5.2 Anne Novis advised that she will today focus on sexual violence on disabled women because they are often invisible – not recognised as women, just disabled. Sexual violence is violence against women and it is about power between men and women. She stated that the MPS has adopted the social model of disability, which views disability as a consequence of environmental, social and attitudinal barriers that prevent people with impairments from maximum participation in society.

So what are the implications of the social model for the MPS work on sexual violence?

• A focus is needed on removing barriers at all stages of your work: prevention, reporting, victim support, investigation, prosecution.
• When we talk about the barriers, we mean those experienced by all disabled people – so a holistic approach, not one that finds solutions based on impairment.
• Moving away from the idea of vulnerable groups or individual vulnerability, to one of situational vulnerability i.e. institutional, family or other situation which make a person vulnerable because they have no choice and no power (as described by the EHRC in its work on targeted violence against disabled people) – this is how we now deal with domestic violence, and to some extent sexual violence against non-disabled women
• Better working with disabled people, and particularly with disabled women, not relying on professionals to speak about our perceived needs and wants.

5.3 Anne Novis went on to describe that disabled women are more likely than non-disabled women to face sexual abuse, and that rather than outline the DIAG position on sexual violence and disabled women, it would be helpful to pose some questions and points for the MPS and MPA to take away and consider.

• Policies – these need to be impact assessed to ensure no discrimination or adverse effect on disabled victims. Such EIA processes must include disabled people themselves.
• Prevention - how do police reach disabled women and how do they make their services accessible? How do they challenge attitudes in the community?
• Reporting - How is the MPS improving the confidence of disabled women that they will be believed and that crimes against them will be investigated?
• Victim Care - Does the MPS provide social model based training to CSU’s on how to deal with disabled victims and ensure their dignity? How accessible are support services such as the Havens?
• Investigation: Investigation standards must be of an equal standard to all other sexual violence. Why is it when referring to disabled victims of sexual violence it is called sexual abuse not violence?
• Prosecution and outcomes - Out of 145 offences against disabled women, only 31 were charged and one cautioned, why is this? Were there any so called ‘unreliable’ witnesses? Are perpetrators of sexual violence against disabled women (and men) getting away with it /getting lower sentences because of institutional discrimination against disabled people? This perception has to be challenged at all stages of the justice process.( the CPS has initiated work on this) because to us it is all about you the service provider overcoming the barriers that exclude disabled people from being heard, believed, and given full access to justice.
• Working with disabled women - How is the MPS engaging with disabled women on this issue? We would like to see better engagement with disabled people themselves as we are the ones who have the experience and expertise on these issues. The DIAG have experienced advisors on sexual violence which you could utilise. Our ethos is ‘Nothing about us without us’ due to the continuing approach by ‘professionals’ and public services engaging with those who provide services to us when actually much more value and community confidence would come about by engagement with disabled people on these issues.

6. Presentation of MPS report from Mark Yexley, MPS

(Agenda item 6)

6.1 See MPS report for full details.

7. DSVB discussion

7.1 Kirsten Hearn asked how the MPS respond to victims and what the differences are when abuse is related to same sex couples. Mark Yexley advised that there should always be the same response to all reported cases of sexual violence. Work is carried out jointly with statutory organisations. There needs to be a more proactive approach to tackling this problem. One way will be the new serious sexual offences investigation command, which will include a new intelligence unit. Officers are also specially trained at Hendon to deal with such cases.

7.2 There also needs to be better multi-agency cooperation, and better dissemination of information and services that are available. For example, Mark Yexley advised that they have individuals who attend schools to educate and publicise organisations such as Havens. There is a need to publicise the fact that Haven have a text service available.

7.3 Kirsten Hearn asked about training in relation to sexual violence and how adults at risk are incorporated into that. Mark Yexley responded that a new training program has been developed for the new command officers and adults at risk will be a part of that. Julian Worker added that the MPS will use experience form other crimes such as distraction burglary.

7.4 Arulini Velmurugu stated that there needs to be engagement with communities. In Lambeth and Westminster there is no link officer to contact and people can be trapped in their circumstances. Better links with care homes and carers are needed – they have all the information.

7.5 Mark Yexley explained a recent case where a suspect committed offences in his 40’s. This individual was placed in a care home in his 70’s and it transpired he was still harassing women. Individuals don’t always change and risk assessment and monitoring needs to be existent.

7.6 Mark Yexley said that they look at public confidence as a real issue, and as a corporate priority it needs to be higher. There is an issue of Asian victims being under represented – is this related to a lack in confidence in the community? There is a need to look at what individuals report to Havens. Individuals are able to report issues anonymously through Haven but this needs to be made more public so that people are aware of this. Mark advised that they are trying to expose Haven to as many places as possible so that the public are aware of them.

7.7 Anthony Wills made the point that we need to remind ourselves that the abuse of power and control usually starts as non-criminal activity and escalates. Then it gets to a point of crisis and we expect the police to resolve it. Prevention needs to be part of tackling the problem – there is a role for the MPS and MPA in forums such as this to support change in attitudes across society.

7.8 Nicola Speechly added that a national strategy was in the process of being developed and that part of this would include work to strengthen the local multi-agency partnership response to domestic and sexual violence with a view to preventing these offences from occurring; ensuring victims receive the right support at the right time; and ensuring that perpetrators are held to account for their actions. Nicola said that the Home Office team held a series of focus groups to inform the strategy, these included separate sessions for older women and disabled women.

7.9 Sheila Williams said we all need to look at ourselves and our motives. We all have some power – how do we use that power?

7.10 Jan Scott announced that she will be attending a meeting with Office of Criminal Justice Reform to talk about safety planning of domestic violence victims and sexual violence victims. They will look at the ways in which to make the safest contact so that victims are not placed at risk. Jan advised that when they receive referrals from police, they get notified on whether the victim is disabled or not.

7.11 Anne Novis explained that she has previously attempted to be an advisor to the police but felt that there is not much interaction from the police on this. She would like to see more progress and more disabled advisors on the Sapphire group. Anne feels that there is a huge amount of work and a great hesitancy from police. Anne asked if this because disabled individuals are seen as not knowledgeable or capable.

7.12 Petra Mohr explained that she has previously tried to carry out workshops in special need schools but is constantly being told that such things do not happen in their schools. There is a sense of underlying denial in schools. There needs to be a lot more awareness.

7.13 Elizabeth Harrison explained that one of the Havens had a young person’s worker who contacted every school in their catchment area, but many rejected the offer of information. Schools do not want to involve themselves in any sort of workshop as they feel that they will be sending out a negative message prompting individuals to believe that there is a rape issue within that school.

7.14 Julian Worker explained that they face the same issue with knives. There is an underlying issue of resistance and one of the ways they have had to tackle this is going to the board of governors and explaining this is happening across all schools in the area – there will be no stigmatisation of individual schools. The MPS also needs to get a better grip on the issue of grooming and improve the way it collates data.

7.15 Kirsten Hearn advised that it is extremely important that community relationships are built up so that victims feel that they are able to come forward with an issue, and when they do there is a strong partnership on place to address the abuse and support the victim. Just speaking out can be a very powerful thing. Kirsten Hearn also said that it is important that we get the message across publicly about services that are available.

7.16 Kirsten Hearn summed up the discussion by saying there are a number of points for attendees to take away; that disabled women and man are made vulnerable by their situations, that we need to recognise this issue in the same way that we see domestic abuse; that it is an abuse of power and control, that we need to send out messages about inclusivity, and that learning and development of services needs to be inclusive. Kirsten also thanked all those for attending and to those who gave presentations.

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