Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Board held on 13 April 2010 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Kirsten Hearn, MPA
• Valerie Brasse, MPA
• Marion Winterholler, Havens
• Jo Clarke, Havens
• Yeliz Osman, GLA
• Sophie Davies, Victim Support
• Denise Marshall, Eaves
• Davina James-Hanman AVA
• Natalie Ker Watson, Victim Support
• Yvonne Traynor, Rape Crisis
• Anthony Wills, Standing Together
• Faith Boardman, MPA

MPA

• Siobhan Coldwell, MPA
• Lynne Abrams, MPA
• Despina Georgiou, MPA

MPS

• DCS Caroline Bates, MPS SCD2
• DCI Mark Yexley, MPS SCD2
• Commander (Cdr) David Zinzan, TP
• DCI Sam Faulkner, MPS VCD
• DI Jim Foley, MPS VCD
• DSU Gerry Campbell, MPS VCD CSU
• DCS Glenn Allison MPS DCFD
• Victoria Kielinger, MPS DCFD
• Susan Paterson, MPS DCFD

Haringey

• Borough Commander Dave Grant
• Dt. Supt Paul Hoare
• DI Steve Dryden
• DI Ralph Coates
• DCI Kevin Fitzgerald, SCD2
• DI Dan Smith, SCD2

Lewisham Borough

• Borough Commander Jeremy Burton
• DI Peter Hopkinson
• DSU Si Cuneen
• A/DI Dominique
• DCI Jane Scotchbrook, SCD2
• Kellie Williams, Lewisham
• Geeta Subramaniam, Lewisham
• Gary Dolby, CPS Borough Crown Prosecutor

Guest

• Jennie Francis-Levers WADV
• Jane Keeper, Refuge
• Catherine Unwin, Lewisham Victim Support
• Carrie Bradish, WADV
• Taj Hutton, Probation
• Nicole Biros, Mozaic
• Penny Prempeh, Mozaic

Apologies

• Nicola Speechly, GOL
• Louise Smith, CPS
• Colin Fitzgerald, Respect

1.1 VB welcomed the borough of Lewisham and invited Borough Commander Jeremy Burton (JB) to introduce the report. JB stated that there were several areas that he wanted to highlight for the board. Demographically Lewisham has a population of 260,000 and is ranked the 39th most deprived area. There has been a reduction in domestic violence incidents and offences, which may be linked to the MARAC having been implemented in February 2009. The borough are also undergoing projects in primary schools, have a Girls and Gangs Forum, a family learning programme for black and minority groups suffering domestic violence and sexual violence. The borough is also progressing in terms of feedback from victims on sexual abuse.

1.2 Jane Scotchbrook advised that SCD2 went live in September 2009. The borough currently have 70 live cases with approximately 32 rape allegations and 1.5 rapes being reported per day. Currently the borough has 1 detective inspector, 3 detective sergeants, 9 detective constables and 9 SOITS.

1.3 VB noted that the excellent partnership work in Lewisham was very evident from the report and there were a number of creative and interesting projects unopened up the meeting for questions. She asked how many unsupported prosecutions the borough currently had as the data was incomplete in the report. Gary Dolby explained that no unsupported prosecutions were successful. VB then queried the volume of repeat domestic violence offences and possible reasons for this. Peter Hokinson (PH) advised that the figure was double checked and was correct. There could be positive reasons such as the MARAC. AW noted that there could be negative reasons such as poor initial response stopping victims from reporting a second time.

Action: Lewisham to feedback on the reasons for the low DV repeat victimisation rate. If the reasons for this are positive (e.g. effective MARAC), then any guidance which the DSVB could share with other boroughs would be welcome.

If the reasons are negative (e.g. poor first response from the police) then a clear outline if action taken to remedy this to be provided.

Action: An outline of what improvements in the primary investigation guidance and practice have taken place in order to support increased likelihood of a successful victimless prosecution. Following this, an update on any successful victimless prosecutions.

1.4 VB said that the sanction detection rate in SCD2 was very low. JS advised that they are looking to increase the number staffing levels, and improving evidence gathering prior to charge. London now has a CPS central charging centre that deals with sexual offence crimes. This will involve the centre looking at incidences and giving the borough advice in the best way possible. JS said that the borough is in need of different offices but this matter has been recognised. MY noted that a recent profile picked up some issues specific to Lewisham and this could be shared with the borough. VB queried the use of cautions for BOCU sexual offences and for domestic violence, as cautions constituted 52& of the Sanction Detection rate. PH replied that cautioning is always a last report but sometimes is the most suitable option. VB requested a check to ensure there was no repeat cautioning.

Action: MY to share problem profile with Lewisham SCD2

Action: An update on the SCD2 sanction detection rate in the 6 month period since the April meeting.

Action: Confirmation that there have been no repeat cautions for domestic violence in the reporting period.

1.5 KH questioned how work with young people is included in community engagement activity, particularly disabled young people. Ruth Osborn (RO) replied that there have been focus groups and workshops directly with young people, there is also a youth MARAC and a Girls and Gangs Forum. VB noted that Lewisham is the only borough to have presented to the DSVB with sexual violence service provision and activity already in place.
Action: provide ‘Critical Success Factors’ How the borough has included in its CDRP and partnership activity; research into, programmes addressing, and support services for young people and sexual violence.

1.6 DJH queried whether the borough was getting value for money. This was supported by community guests. Kellie Williams stated that training costs had recently increased. Denise Marshall (DM) queried the funding imbalance between domestic and sexual violence services. Geeta Subramaniam (GS) responded that due to volume domestic violence had to be a high priority for the borough.

1.7 Natalie Ker Watson asked about the VCOP compliance. A discussion was held about the availability of VCOP data; Barking and Dagenham had provided data but that may have come from the borough itself.
Action: LA to commission information from MPS on VCOP compliance across boroughs in relation to a) all crime b) domestic violence c) sexual violence.

1.8 AW questioned the lack of an SDVC and wondered whether the borough needed to work with neighbouring boroughs to push this through. KW explained the process they had followed and noted that there had been some problems but they are finding ways to move forward.

Action: Clarity on the development of an SDVC for the borough, or in partnership with Greenwich.

1.9 DM raised the point that there doesn’t seem to be anything on human trafficking and the Vietnamese women mentioned, despite clear signs that they may be trafficked for labour. PH said that they will review and refer to SCD9 and that this is an issue the borough will be considering.

Action: BOCU to review its contact with and intelligence about Vietnamese women working in cannabis and/ or DVD factories, and consider whether a referral to SCD9 may be necessary.

Action: BOCU to review its contact with and intelligence about Vietnamese women working in cannabis and/ or DVD factories, and consider whether a referral to SCD9 may be necessary.

1.10 Faith Boardman (FB) expressed her views on this being a very useful session. She was particularly interested in the prevention area but more concerned at how well the schools are being engaged. Kellie Williams (KW) said there has been a huge shift, whereby there are more head teachers contacting her. There is also a lot of work being done on sexual bulling in schools; however there are still those schools who do not want to be involved.

1.11 YO questioned the over 60 age group on sexual violence reporting work. JS said she was not aware of any over that age group. KW said that the domestic violence strategy group has expanded and they will need to look at older people and sexual violence.

Action: SCD2 to explore the lack of reporting from over 60s in the borough and identify what action (e.g. engagement with local residents through older people’s charities and care homes) could be taken to ensure confidence in reporting.

1.12 YO questioned gang related sexual violence and asked how it fits in with the Girls and Gangs forum. Ruth Osman (RO) advised that the Girls and Gangs forum is done to intense partnership working and it ties in with youth MARAC. There have been an increasing number of concerns in gangs and assault and they are now looking at working closely with schools. They are also doing gang training with teachers and parents on gangs and violence.

1.13 VB thanked everyone for attending and to Lewisham for presenting. VB advised that Lewisham will be receiving a letter with all the follow-up actions.

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