Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Board held on 15 April 2011 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

DSVB Members

• Valerie Brasse, MPA (Chair)
• Kirsten Hearn, MPA
• Clive Lawton, MPA Link Member Ealing
• Yvonne Traynor, RASASC Croydon
• Elizabeth Harrison, Havens
• Paul Carswell, CPS
• Marion Winterholler, Havens
• Clare Williams, Victim Support
• Janette Roker, GLA

MPS

• A/Supt Dave Ainscough MPS VCD
• DCI Sam Faulkner MPS
• A/DI Sharon Stratton, MPS VCD
• DS Dave McNaughton MPS
• DCS Caroline Bates, MPS SCD2
• DCI Kevin Fitzgerald, MPS SCD2

MPA

• Siobhan Coldwell, MPA
• Lynne Abrams, MPA
• April May-Zubel MPA
• Joanne McCartney, MPA Link Member Enfield

Apologies

• Davina James-Hanman, AVA
• Anthony Wills, Standing Together
• Yeliz Osman, GLA
• Cindy Butts, MPA
• Jo Clarke, Havens
• Clive Lawton, MPA
• Denise Marshall, Eaves
• Colin Fitzgerald, Respect
• Natalie Ker Watson, Victim Support
• Sophie Davies, Victim Support
• Maria Sookias, Stonewall Housing

Guests

• Georgina Perry, Open Doors
• David Tucker, Enfield Borough Cmdr
• Andy Rowell, Ealing Borough Cmdr
• Namita Prakash, the Survivors Trust
• Det. Supt Mick Duthie, SCD9
• Vicky Kielinger, DCFD
• lare Williams, Victim Support
• Namita Prakash, the Survivors Trust
• Shan Kilby, Enfield DV Coordinator
• Chris Bond, Enfield
• Andrea Clemons, Enfield
• DCI Simon Moring, Enfield SCD2
• DI Daniel Smith, Enfield SCD2
• DI Kevin Fitzgerald, Enfield MPS
• DI Ella Marriott, Ealing SCD2
• DCI Janet Jones, Ealing BOCU
• Janet Parker, Ealing DV Coordinator
• Caitriona Scanlan, Camden
• Nadia Ikramullah, Victim Support
• Cheryl Stafford, The Scarlet Centre, Eaves
• Hannah Camplin, Rights of Women
• Tamsin Kelland, MPA
• Amrita Das Gupta, Advance
• Aneta Mularczyk, Refuge
• Audley Phillips, Catalyst Communities Housing Association
• Hina Patel, Housing for Women

Session One

1. Introduction, minutes and actions

1.1 Valerie Brasse (VB) opened the meeting and invited everyone to introduce themselves.

2. Open Doors and ISVA Presentation

2.1 VB welcomed Georgina Perry (GP). GP thanked the group and provided some background to the Open Doors project. Open Doors (OD) has been in operation since 1993, and they provide support, outreach, and clinical case management to almost 1,500 people selling sex in three East London boroughs, both on- and off-street. Open Doors developed the ISVA post as during 2009 OD became that sex workers were experiencing rape and sexual assault and were not accessing specialist services or reporting to the police.

2.2 A total of 24 referrals were made into the specialist ISVA service between 1st September 2010 and 1st March 2011. The greatest source of referrals was the Sapphire teams, who made 11 referrals; the majority of remaining referrals came from Open Doors staff, one from the Haven Whitechapel and two from a local community organisation. Out of the 24 new referrals received, 17 were successfully contacted and 14 women chose to receive ISVA services. A range of interventions were required, including substance misuse, domestic violence, mental and physical health, and housing.

2.3 GP said that the main challenge was the off-street cohort. Brothel closures have occurred as a result of 2012, with a brothel crackdown. Sex workers have therefore moved but they have not informed Open Doors. They are less safe in this scenario because they are working as ‘independent escorts’. As a result there has been a 25% decrease in outreach.

2.4 GP closed the presentation leaving the group to consider two questions; how do we retain confidence in policing, and how do we ensure safety for these highly vulnerable people. Mick Duthie (MD) said regarding some of the negative comments, it sounds like this is uniformed officers rather than SCD9, as they are a specialist unit who focus most heavily on criminal networks. However this would obviously have a negative impact on confidence to report to police. VB said the issue for her is that females need to experience a joined up positive service. MD said there is brothel visit guidance on the MPS website for officers.

2.5 VB asked about work with trafficked females. GP said we work on a case by case basis, the majority of females are working off-street, and mainly Brazilian and East European, who are not debt bonded. Open Doors will link in with services for trafficked females, though the numbers they come into contact with is very small. Their main concern is that where females experience sexual violence, they can get support.

2.6 CL said he was surprised to hear that Brazilian females are the largest group, and asked why this is. GP said in 2008 the Brazilian economy was floundering and there was a global recession. These females came here legitimately and then overstayed on Visa’s. As the economy improves, they are returning to their home countries, and Open Doors are finding that no community is emerging as a replacement.

2.6 Andrea Clemens (AC) asked if there were any good examples of where Safer Neighbourhoods Teams have positively engaged with female sex workers. GP said policing is different in the various boroughs; some are dealt with sympathetically, however there is constant evolution of faces and how those deal with these issues. At the moment those sex workers in flats are not treated in a supportive or sympathetic way. There is some good news in that they’ve had their first conviction for rape of a sex worker.

Action: GP to share the evaluation of the ISVA role.

Session One

3. Ealing

3.1 Borough Cmdr Andy Rowell (AR) provided an overview of the borough, and said there were challenging demographics and a high residential population. One area of success has been engagement with Somali and Punjabi populations; another is the increase in DV arrests. However IDVA funding has been lost, though AR is confident MPA funding will be secured to retain IDVA services. The magistrates’ court which holds the DV court is to be closed. Sex workers coming from outside the borough is also a challenge and Ealing are taking a tackling demand approach. From the SCD2 perspective Bryan Sweeting (BS) said there is a good working relationship between SCD2 and the BOCU. Tackling demand for sex workers is hoped to reduce repeat sexual violence.

3.2 VB noted that Ealing have the lowest attrition rate in the MPS. CB said they are looking at numbers rather than percentages as they have had such an increase in reporting. Ella Marriott(EM) said they have looked at this with CPS BCP; and they are keen to find an answer. A good initial investigation is part of this success. CB said attrition across the MPS has decreased in the last two years. SCD2 have seen an increase in guilty pleas which is good, as it avoids the victim having to give evidence. Access to better data is allowing them to conduct some research into this. CB stated that teams that do best are those that have a strong case and provide strong support to the victim.

Action: Ealing SCD2 to feedback on any learning on success.

3.3 VB noted that the proportion of male DV victims is high. AR said this is not our experience, usually in his day to day business he sees predominantly female victims. Janet Jones (JJ) said we certainly see more females, as you would expect.

Action: Ealing BOCU to explore any disproportionality regarding male victims.

Action: LA to check with PIB regarding the data.

3.4 VB asked how any loss of IDVA services would be managed. Janet Parker (JP) said we have secured at least 1 IDVA post and hopefully a further will follow. CL stated it is helpful this board is getting this report now. There are significant changes on the borough and there is concern that focus would be lost. VB said we need to regroup to see how this pans out in 6 months, and have dialogue regarding what is happening on the borough and with city hall to see if it is working.

Action: Update on funding and commissioning outcomes and ways forward.

3.5 VB commented that five cases of ‘honour’-based violence (HBV)/ forced marriage (FM) seems low in a borough with the demographics of Ealing. AR agreed it is a consistent challenge to engage with communities.
Action: Update on any work regarding engagement, awareness raising and HBV/FM.

3.6 YT said she could not see reference to Rape Crisis and their ISVA. EM said yes they are linked in and due to meet with the Rape Crisis manager in the next few weeks.

Action: SCD2 to update on SCD2 and Rape Crisis relationship building and any referral pathways.

3.7 Joanne said regarding low number of HBV/FM, you offer training to schools, what about Safer Schools officers and faith schools. Janet Jones (JJ) said there are links into local schools and maintain ongoing involvement. AR said in terms of faith schools we are trying to engage at the earliest opportunity. Noted the biggest faith schools are Sikh, and they have good links there.

Action: Any examples of successful practice on engagement with schools and any actions taken to fill gaps.

3.8 Marion Winterholler (MW) asked whether the Warwickshire University report includes sexual violence. JP said it was domestic violence only, and not yet complete. One of the recommendations is to look at future service delivery design and they hope to have a fuller picture to design their service around need in the borough. Erica Rolle (ER) said she was impressed with the SCD2 diversity forum. Asked about any other subgroups, and how long have these been operating. EM said they have been running since inception of SCD2, both internally and external facing. SCD2 at Brent/Ealing had identified that older victims were a specific group and the topic was raised with the SCD2 Rape Refernce Group, with the aim of gaining support and identifiying partners able to support SCD2 in responding to the specific needs of older/elderly victims. Said they are also looking at the travelling community; how they can gain their trust. Noted it is internal reflection that goes outwards to communities or support groups. VB asked what the role of SNT’s was. AR said intelligence is now structured by area not crime, and they are trying to cement together SNT and CSU work.

Action: Share practice in Ealing to bring together SNT and CSU.

3.9 VB challenged the high volume of repeat domestic violence at 20%. AR stated this was due to diligent recording. VB said regarding SCD2 for under-18 year olds, this moves from 34.4% offences to a 16% SD rate; therefore there is significant attrition.

Action: SCD2 to feedback on any analysis of why attrition appears high for under 18 year olds and any actions taken to remedy this.

3.10 VB asked whether there were any issues the borough would like the DSVB to take forward. AR stated that the current definition of domestic violence precludes under 18’s from being recorded as victims or perpetrators. He also stated that a wider range of disposal options should include conditional cautioning. SS said the MPS have a report currently with the Director of Public Prosecutions, the outcome if which is uncertain

Action: DSVB to write a letter to Home Office regarding the DV definition.

Action: SS to update on the outcome of the Conditional cautioning paper.

Session Two

4. Enfield

4.1 David Tucker (DT), Enfield Borough Cmdr provided an overview of the borough. Enfield is split in terms of deprivation, with a high volume of a range of crime types. Some Albanian and Congolese communities has increased over 30% in two years. The volume of domestic violence is higher than all surrounding areas with their SCD2 unit the busiest in the MPS.
Andrea Clemons (AC) said DV and SV are a priority, with DV 40% of all violence in the bourgh. Funding for support services is an issue. Said that they were notified quite late regarding the funding from the Home Office of £20,000, meaning their application was late and they were unsuccessful. Shan Kilby (SK) said they have a multi agency partnership looking at a range of initiatives, including tackling intimate partner violence and attitudes. BS said SCD2 have significantly increased resources in Enfield and Haringey. VB noted that half of boroughs could get funding from the Home Office. Said she will raise this with Kit Malthouse at LCRB.

Action: DSVB to provide a letter of support to Enfield

Action: VB to raise Home Office funding issue at LCRB.

4.2 AC asked about body worn cameras, and said she would like all officers attending a DV incident to wear them. Said this is not currently allowed and she would appreciate the support. SS said this was piloted in Bromley, but it is expensive so it is unlikely to be rolled out across the MPS.
Action: LA to follow up with SK.

4.3 VB asked DT how do you demonstrate leadership and what are your greatest successes and concerns. DT said for him DV is around risk. Said that at the end of every shift the duty officer has to log every DV call and the outcome. Noted this is an Enfield only process and he put that in place. He is in and out of the CSU office, ensuring team get personal support. Said he is most proud of the process, which covers vulnerability of the organisation and the victim. VB asked whether they have measured unsupported DV prosecutions. DT said this was very small, only 1 or 2 cases.

Action: Enfield BOCU to provide update on the number of unsupported DV prosecutions.

4.4 VB said the proportion of incidents to crimes is very low at 35%, and yet repeat victimisation is 40%, the highest figure we have seen. If this was about recording all calls appropriately and gathering intelligence on lower level DV, this should be reflected by lower repeat cases. DT said they do rigidly enforce what is required of them, and have very strong scrutiny around this. Regarding repeat victimisation, there could be two reasons; one is that there is a high rate of repeat cases; the second is that more people feel comfortable in coming forward more than once.

Action: Enfield BOCU to provide analysis of the incident to crime ratio, with reference to two neighbouring boroughs for comparison.
Action: Enfield BOCU to provide analysis of the high repeat victimisation rate and any action taken to address this, for example identifying good practice from other boroughs and applying this. Hillingdon or Westminster may be able to provide assistance in this area.

4.5 KH asked about community engagement. She noted that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) data was very poor, and asked about relationships with disabled community groups. DT said the local authority ran some events with the Turkish community, for example. AC said this is beginning to be reflected in reporting. They have links with their LGBT network, and hate crime has recently been added to their partnership plan. There have been a number of focus groups with Somali and Turkish women. DT stated there are low reporting rates from the LGBT community, possibly due to the borough having no LGBT night-time economy or premises or public sexual environments. LA stated this does not mean LGBT individuals on borough don’t experience DV. VB said you are not the only borough with this issue and it is a real concern we are not capturing this data. You may be doing some great work but in a time of funding cuts if there is no clear evidence based work then a missed opportunity to secure future funding.
Action: Enfield BOCU to contact Westminster to see if they can access good practice around LGBT community engagement.

4.6 VB said about the impact of co-location, and asked will Enfield be a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) borough. DT said they are hoping to be a MASH borough but aren’t yet. Dave Ainscough (DA) said the MPS is now moving towards having MASH hubs on 14 boroughs. YT asked about the research on attitudes to VAW. SK said the borough has a large population of young people and a youth engagement panel, as well as peer mentoring in schools. We want to get the message out there that violence is unacceptable. We are also working with AVA and Middlesex University on SV and DV substance misuse. We hope to have a pilot project here and in Kensington and Chelsea.

Action: Enfield to share any early findings/ learning from the project.

4.7 VB said your MARAC is held every 3 weeks with 20-25 cases, asked how is this managed and how could you manage any increase in cases in the future. DT said a MARAC coordinator helps to manage this. VB asked if there were any exit services for sex workers. AC said we refer people to appropriate housing and substance misuse services, though this is not the whole solution. VB said they could look at the report by Brent.
Action: Link in with Brent regarding exit services and support.

4.8 VB thanked Georgina Perry, Enfield and Ealing Officers, staff and guests, and closed the meeting. 

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