Lewisham update report

Report: 1c
Report for the Domestic and Sexual Violence Board
Date: 16 November 2010
By: Greg Pople. Detective Chief Inspector

Summary

The presentation by Lewisham borough to the MPA Domestic and Sexual Violence Board (DSVB) on 13 April 2010 detailed the boroughs response to domestic and sexual violence. The purpose of this follow up report is to address further questions raised in the DSVB response on 14 April 2010.

1.1 This report provides update on the outlined issues raised by DSVB for discussion at the November DSVB. This report will address each of the points raised in order:

• 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.

1.2 Further to Lewisham boroughs presentation to the DSVB the low Domestic Violence (DV) repeat victimisation rate was scrutinized to ensure the integrity of the original data and the initial figure of 5% found to be inaccurate. The borough engaged with neighbouring boroughs to ensure consistency amongst recording of repeat victims. Anomalies were discovered around the search facility on Crime Reporting Information System (CRIS) to include the correct recording of DV flags and variations in spellings of victim’s names and dates of birth. The most effective method of producing a comprehensive analysis of the data was to manually check all DV cases for the reporting period. This process identified a revised rate for repeat victimisation of 34% during the initial reporting period. As a result of this exercise, a number of issues have been identified and resultant actions implemented to ensure repeat victims are now accurately identified and flagged. Local instructions have since been introduced to ensure the initial reporting officers carry out comprehensive research into whether either the victim or perpetrator are known to police for previous domestic violence incidents in the preceding two years. Compliance is monitored by supervisors at primary investigation stage and the Crime Management Unit (CMU). A secondary check is also carried out by Community Safety Unit (CSU) staff to confirm if the victim has previously reported any offences against them and ensure that the repeat victim flag is included. The CSU maintain details of all repeat victims and offenders on excel database which are reviewed at a daily risk management meeting. This enables the CSU to ensure that all cases that meet the MARAC threshold are identified at the earliest opportunity and referred both to the MARAC and the Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) service. Officers will also ensure that the positive action policy is stringently adhered to in cases of repeat victimisation.

1.3 In response to the findings of this exercise, it has been agreed that repeat victim data will also be shared with, and monitored by, the Domestic and Sexual Violence Strategy Group, as part of the ‘performance data’ standing agenda item. Since reporting to the Board in April, funding has been provided to Women Against Domestic Violence to expand their capacity, and funding for other IDVA services has been sustained, thereby ensuring that all victims that come to police attention are able to access specialist support. Furthermore, funding continued for the pilot of the TRYangle Perpetrator Programme. This programme is targeted at first time, or low level, DV offenders who want to change their abusive behaviour and will therefore contribute towards a reduction in repeat victimisation. It has been agreed that awareness training for all CSU officers will commence November 2010. The training will be delivered by the IDVAs and other voluntary sector representatives and will cover all aspects of the partnership response to domestic violence locally. MARAC agencies have been made aware of the repeat victim rate within Lewisham, and encouraged to provide a coordinated response for all Domestic Violence victims, regardless of whether they meet the MARAC threshold, and with a particular focus on repeat victims. It is anticipated that building on the success of the MARAC will have a positive impact on overall repeat victim rates. There remains a focus on early intervention and prevention work, particularly work with young people. Whilst this will not immediately impact on repeat victim rates, it is anticipated that investment in this work now will have significant long term success.

• An update on the exploration of BOCU no-criming rate for ‘less serious’ sexual offences and the incident to offence ratio, and any action taken to reduce no-criming.

1.4 An audit was conducted on reported allegations of sexual assault on females in Lewisham borough with the CRIS classification (CLASS) of SO20/05 (excluding rape and serious sexual assault) between 1 April and 31 August 2010. The total number of allegations was 37. 13 of the 37 reported allegations were subsequently amended to ‘No Crime’ or Crime Related Incident (CRI) resulting in 24 confirmed allegations of sexual assault. This equates to 35% of the reported allegations being classified as No Crime or CRI. From the total of 24 confirmed allegations of sexual assault there were 11 sanctioned detections by way of charge or caution. This equates to a Sanction detection rate of 45.83%.

1.5 The definitions for No Crime and CRI are:

No Crime - the allegation has been confirmed as a credible allegation but subsequent enquiries reveal verifiable evidence to state the allegation didn’t happen such as CCTV, victim admission or witness testimony.

CRI - no direct evidence at the time of reporting that sufficient evidence exists of the offence. Further investigation is required.

The 13 reports that had a classification of No Crime or CRI were reviewed in line with the National Crime Reporting Standards and found to have been correctly classified. All the allegations were fully investigated with documented investigation strategies and Victims Code of Practice (VCOP) correctly applied. In conclusion this figure is not disproportionate. A number of these crimes revealed that the initial classification should have been recorded as CRI until an offence was confirmed as opposed to an initial classification of crime subsequently being altered to reflect No Crime confirmation.

1.6 In order to reduce the number of initial classification of offences being amended to No Crime an action plan has been implemented on the borough. The actions identified are:

1. Input at officers training days with immediate effect to refresh officers’ awareness of their responsibilities when recording classification of an allegation at primary investigation stage.
2. A presentation was delivered at the Inspectors 5 P’s training day on 28 October 2010 to reinforce the responsibility of a supervisor when checking classification at primary investigation stage. The emphasis being upon closer scrutiny of initial classification.
3. Identified CID action plan to monitor CRI and No Crime rates by auditing classifications to ensure correct assessment.

These actions ensure a raised awareness amongst officers and supervisors of their initial responsibilities around the correct classification of CRIS reporting at primary and secondary investigation stage. This is delivered through training to reporting and supervisory officers and reinforced by early consultation with CID/CMU to ensure correct advice given around the recording and confirming of classifications.

• 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.

1.7 On 13 September 2010 Lewisham borough commenced training of all front line officers in relation to the new 124D and the Domestic Abuse, Stalking/Harassment and Honor based violence (DASH) model for risk assessment of domestic violence cases. This guidance aimed to provide a framework for front line officers when completing a risk assessment with victims and to help identify high risk cases, as well as compile safety plans. It also ensures that officers gather the required evidence to corroborate the victims account. This will assist the borough in managing risk to all victims of domestic violence and prevent offences. In addition to this training for front line officers, training on the use of this risk assessment tool is being delivered to CSU staff in conjunction with the IDVA service.

1.8 Lewisham borough Police CSU and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) are committed to holding DV perpetrators to account and actively seek the opportunity to prosecute Domestic Violence Offenders in cases where a victim confirms an allegation but is not willing to support a prosecution. It is recognised that improved quality of primary investigation enhances evidential opportunities and increases the likelihood of victimless prosecutions in cases where victims will not assist Police. Clear photographic evidence of injuries or damage caused provides corroboration to an allegation made by the victim and can provide sufficient evidence to seek successful prosecutions. Lewisham borough has introduced the use of digital cameras to obtain greater quality of photographic evidence of injury or damage to enhance corroborative evidence and improve prosecution opportunities. The CSU DI has the lead for the promotion of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the use and storage of the digital cameras by all reporting and investigating officers. This guidance has been published to all officers to capture evidential opportunities in cases where a victim supports a prosecution or provides confirmation of an allegation but will not assist an investigation. A camera competency course is recommended for the use of digital cameras but this presents obstacles around availability of suitably trained officers to capture vital evidence in the early stages of the investigation. The borough, in liaison with CPS, has taken a positive step in authorising the use of the cameras without the need for the qualification to enable a greater number of officers available to capture the evidence.

1.9 Between the reporting period of 1 April 2010 to 13 September 2010 seven cases were identified whereby CPS authorised charges for victimless prosecutions where the victim would not support an investigation. These cases are detailed below. In all of the cases photographic evidence was obtained for victim injury and/or damage to property to support the victims allegation documented by the reporting officer in their statement. Two of the seven cases resulted in successful prosecution and two currently await trial.

• The 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.

2.0 Following recommendations made by the DSVB, a meeting was held in May between Lewisham borough, LB Lewisham Community Safety Service, Refuge Vietnamese Outreach Service and SCD9 to agree the response to Vietnamese victims of domestic and sexual violence. An agreement was formalised to provide leaflets promoting the Refuge Vietnamese Outreach Service to any female Vietnamese suspects having contact with Police after arrest for cannabis cultivation and DVD factories. Borough Police have also planned outreach work with the Vietnamese community in conjunction with Refuge and Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) and will refer to SCD9 any intelligence gained from discovery of adverts relating to prostitution and premises used for such, i.e. brothels. This is in addition to the Police response with partner agencies to challenge such venues and close them down. SNT officers have been provided with awareness training regarding the information sharing process with SCD9 and the practice of submitting intelligence reports on Crimint system with the correct flag for their attention. In addition, SCD9 gave a presentation to Lewisham Senior Management Team (SMT) and Inspectors on 30 September explaining their function. Since then there have been a number of successful interventions that arisen as a direct result.

• SCD2 to explore the lack of reporting from over 60’s 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.

2.1 SCD2 held a promotional event to mark National Elder Abuse awareness day, which attracted approximately 300 elderly residents. The event included specific information about sexual violence giving practical advice on reporting abuse to Police and voluntary sector groups and providing crime prevention advice. The guidance was also distributed at Lewisham People’s Day held on 10 July 2010. SCD2 and LB Lewisham Community Safety Service are currently working in partnership with The Havens, Victim Support and Adult Social Care Training Team in coordinating a half day event focussing on older adults and sexual violence. Other South London Boroughs have also been invited to attend the event scheduled for 13 December 2010. Representatives from all organisations working with older adults will be invited to the event. The events agenda includes the raising of awareness of rape and sexual assault, dispelling the myths, providing information on the police response to reports of sexual violence, details of the services provided by the Havens and Victim Support, and the links to Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults. The aims of the event are to raise awareness amongst professionals working with older adults around the issue of sexual violence and to promote confidence in how to respond to disclosure of offences, ensuring clients feel empowered to report to the police and access support services.

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

2.2 This report uses live data extracted from CRIS MIS (MPS Crime System).

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

2.3 From 1 February 2009 to 31 January 2010 there were ten individuals that received repeat cautions for Domestic Violence offences. In all cases the level of violence or damage to the victim’s property was minimal and the suspect was not cautioned for the same offence as the original reprimand (i.e. assault or damage not cautioned for same offence). In six of the cases the victims would not assist a prosecution and so the decision was taken to administer a further caution as opposed to taking no further action (NFA). The benefits of the caution meant that the offender was held to account and the offence was formally recorded, remaining on the offenders’ criminal record therefore assisting in bad character evidence in any future prosecutions. The offenders were also referred to TRYangle for assessment for the perpetrator programme. Whilst repeat cautions are not actively sought there are occasions where the priority would be to hold the offender to account rather than discontinuing a case. In these cases the interest of the victim or the public is weighed against the decision to pursue a victimless prosecution or administer a second caution. From 1 February 2010 to 31 August 2010 only one suspect received a repeat caution. This was a case of criminal damage and malicious communications. In this case the suspect had no previous convictions, the damage was of a minor nature (damaged guitar) and both cases were dealt with by police on the same day. Before the case disposal was decided the victims of the case were contacted and their wishes respected when unwilling to pursue a prosecution. Since the initial report was made to the MPA the CSU now manage a search facility on CRIS which identifies past DV offender cautions. This enables past records to be reviewed on an individual basis when determining if a suspect is suitable to receive an adult caution for a new offence.

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

2.4 Whilst Lewisham does not have SDVC accreditation, the borough is working to develop the current London Mainstream Model (LMM), with the aim of adhering closely to all the components of an SDVC. All Lewisham DV cases are clustered on Thursday mornings at Greenwich Magistrates Court. All staff present in the court are trained in domestic violence and there is a Coordinator for the LMM in court as well as an IDVA and a police officer representative from the borough. A LMM Steering Group, with representatives from all criminal justice agencies, LB Lewisham and the IDVA Service meets on a bi-monthly basis to address any operational or strategic issues in the criminal justice system.

In February 2010, the Justices’ Issues Group for Greenwich and Lewisham gave their approval for a future application for SDVC accreditation should the opportunity become viable. However, subsequent recent changes mean there is a present uncertainty whether an application for SDVC accreditation would be pursued in the future. Whilst partners remain supportive, the possibility of one of the local courts closing would have a significant impact on the local listing arrangements. Therefore at present we are not able to provide any significant update on this issue, however we will continue to operate the LMM as an effective alternative.

Background papers: The DSVB asked Lewisham Borough to provide a ‘Critical Success Factor’ on how the borough has included in its CDRP and partnership activity; research into, programmes addressing, and support services for young people and sexual violence.

Appendix 1

Lewisham CDRP Critical Success Factor

Lewisham CSP - the Safer Lewisham partnership - Critical Success Factors

Lewisham have been asked to provide the critical success factors in relation to its inclusion in its CSP and partnership activity; research into, programmes addressing, and provision of support services for young people and sexual violence.

The most important factors are:

• Strong partnership leadership at a senior management level.
• Identified as priority within strategic assessment, thereby ensuring close oversight by CSP and prioritising available funding. All priorities set by the partnership have had significant focus placed on it to ensure that actions are completed and performance regularly monitored and challenged.
• Coordinated partnership response to domestic and sexual violence with considerable input from the third sector
• Empowered and engaged staff to use all options available to address this issue.

Research into sexually inappropriate behaviour

CSP funding was granted to carry out research into attitudes towards sexual behaviour of representative groups of young people in Lewisham and to compile a report summarising the findings.

• Commitment to examining local trends and issues in response to national research carried out by NSPCC and ROTA to ensure an appropriate local response
• Multi-agency response to this issue, with over 60 people attending the initial development meeting
• An active working group is in place to develop Lewisham’s overarching strategy to address sexual bullying and violence, and working to promote healthy emotional relationships between young people in the borough. Group includes representatives from police (SCD2), council (including Healthy Schools) and third sector
• Amalgamated with the wider Sex and Relationships Education strand of the Teenage Pregnancy governance structure to ensure appropriate partnership buy-in and ongoing funding
• Lewisham college have been successful in a bid to roll out a DVD and programme in relation to inappropriate sexualised behaviour.

Programmes addressing sexual violence

A number of programmes to address sexual violence have been delivered in Lewisham. These have been funded through a combination of Government grant finance and mainstream PCT funding. The coordinated delivery of this work is monitored by the Domestic and Sexual Violence Strategy Group, a sub group of the performance and Delivery Board of the Safer Lewisham Partnership. The key success has been tackling this issue from aspects of prevention, intervention for victims and perpetrators and enforcement.

• The remit of Domestic Violence Strategy Group expanded to incorporate all forms of domestic and sexual violence, ensuring a coordinated approach and one body monitoring delivery on this agenda
• There have been joint funding applications for grant finance submitted where possible and support given to third sector organisations submitting external funding bids
• Funding application between LB Lewisham Children and Young People’s Access and Support Service and Community Safety service successfully secured funding for the Theatre in Education ‘Sweet Love’ Project - a forum theatre production which explores the issue of sexual bullying
• A multi-agency collaboration between police, council, health and third sector in response to concerns raised by professionals about levels of gendered violence amongst young people has been developed. This led to the development of the Girls Project and shared expertise allowed the delivery of the following projects;
• A performance of “Do You Know Where Your Daughter Is?”, highlighting the responsibility of mothers to be a positive role model to their daughters
• Schools workshops – Performances of “Do You Know Where Your Daughter Is?” play was also taken to local schools followed by workshop sessions and discussion
• The Girls House – a female only space with access to activities, services and information, including workshops on gendered violence
• The Comic – work with local schools to create a comic on the theme of personal space and ‘chirpsing’ (local colloquial term for chatting up a girl). This involved a series of workshops with young people focussing on exploring different issues. The comics were then distributed to all secondary schools for use as a discussion tool
• The partnership is committed to achieving a shared objective and accommodating needs of other agencies – such as offering room hire free of charge / complimentary refreshments and materials to pan-London organisations offering to provide services in Lewisham
• A dedicated Community Safety Officer focussing on domestic and sexual violence, and Sergeant within SDC2 with responsibility for developing partnership work. This ensures open lines of communication with regular updates between organisations on any police-led or council-led initiatives

Support services for young people and sexual violence

• Front line staff are supported and encouraged to address emerging trends in a creative way, such as the formation of the Girls and Gangs Forum
• A needs-led approach to providing support services, such as the development of the Girls Group Work Programme within the Youth Offending Service, in response to identified need
• A police officer based within Youth Offending Service allowing young women to report gendered violence without having to attend the police station
• A pilot of a Youth MARAC to support victims of serious youth violence, including sexual violence. This operates in much the same way as the DV MARAC and is chaired by the Chief Inspector for Partnership
• The joint commissioning of services for young people ensures a joined up approach
• The provision of services for perpetrators as well as victims, such as RESPECT toolkit and AIM Programme delivered through health services
• Front line staff encouraged to attend external training courses to ensure up to date knowledge and network re best practice
• The issue is included as an agenda item at team meetings to ensure that all staff are aware of the support services available to young people

Partnership

• There are strong links with partner agencies across both statutory and voluntary services
• There is support from senior management in all agencies to ensure appropriate representation from partner agencies at partnership meetings
• Sexual violence is noted as a standing agenda item at Domestic and Sexual Violence Forum and Strategy Group, Local Safeguarding Children’s Board, Safer Lewisham Partnership, Teenage Pregnancy Board

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