MPA Domestic and Sexual Violence Board

05/09
15 April 2009
MPA briefing paper 05/2009

Author: Lynne Abrams, Gender-based Violence Officer, MPA

This briefing paper has been prepared to inform members and staff. It is not a committee report and no decisions are required.

Summary

1. This report is intended to outline to MPA Members the work of the MPA Domestic and Sexual Board (DSVB). The DSVB was discussed at Full Authority on March 26 2009, in the context of a discussion on the MPS Operation Dansey.

2. The Domestic and Sexual Violence Board was launched in the spring of 2009 to help monitor, scrutinise and support the Metropolitan Police in their response to domestic and sexual violence [1].

Historical overview

3. The MPA Domestic Violence Board was set up in 2006 to scrutinise and monitor the police response to domestic violence in London. Since its inception, the MPA Domestic Violence Board supported and challenged the MPS to improve its response to domestic abuse.

4. One example of the success of the board is the introduction of a ‘flag’ to denote cases of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) domestic violence on the MPS Crime Recording Information System (CRIS), which was a direct result of issues raised at the Board. Recent recommendations emerging from the board include extension across London of the use of digital cameras to capture better evidence at the scene of an incident.

5. On 25 November 2008 the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, announced the development of a London Violence Against Women Strategy. The strategy is designed to prevent and reduce violence against women in the capital and have a positive impact on service provision. In order to appropriately ensure that the MPA is supporting the implementation of the strategy and to oversee the MPS response not only to domestic abuse but sexual violence, it follows that the DVB will expand its remit to include sexual violence.

6. The Domestic Violence Board has now become a Domestic and Sexual Violence Board (DVSB). Like the Mayoral Strategy, it is proposed that the Board focus on domestic and sexual violence as the two main areas of interest, with particular issues such as forced marriage or the use of sexual violence within gangs to fall under these two headings.

7. The DSVB held its first meeting in April 2009. In addition to the borough of Bexley report, Assistant Commissioner John Yates attended the meeting. He discussed with DSVB members two recent high profile cases of serial sexual offences. He also outlined the forthcoming restructure of the Sapphire units, which investigate sexual offences, from Territorial Policing to a new command unit in Specialist Crime Directorate.

Meeting structure

8. Meetings are held six times a year, following a work plan which invites 10 boroughs per year to the DSVB, but is also subject to change to allow responsivity to issues raised at meetings. At each meeting the DSVB calls two Police Borough Commanders to report on the work taking place in their boroughs around domestic and sexual violence. This is followed by an open discussion during which Board members and guests will have the opportunity to ask questions on the report and presentation.

9. Borough Commanders receive a follow up letter from the DSVB which acknowledges areas of good practice or initiatives which proactively and creatively tackle domestic and sexual violence. The letter also identifies areas which the DSVB would like the BOCU to explore further, such as use of cautions or community engagement.

10. In addition, policy areas are also presented by the MPS Violent Crime Directorate and discussed, in annual thematic sessions. Last year included a session on domestic abuse and child protection; this year will include work on sexual abuse of the disabled.

11. The process is part scrutiny and part support with the overall intention of proactively reducing and preventing domestic and sexual violence; improving the confidence and satisfaction of victims; and promoting consistency of service across London.

12. Feedback is also sought from Borough Commanders, DSVB Members and guests to improve the board and identify areas of development as well as success.

Board membership

13. Cindy Butts, MPA member, chairs the DSVB. Valerie Brasse holds the role of vice chair and Kirsten Hearn is a member. The Board is owned and coordinated by the MPA and the Metropolitan Police Service are fully engaged with the process and ensures that both local and organisational issues are responded to.

14. However it is well-documented that a multi-agency response to domestic and sexual violence is required. As such, membership of the DSVB consists of a diverse array of statutory and voluntary organisations that have responsibility for, or who specialise in, tackling domestic or sexual violence. These members are:

• Metropolitan police Authority (MPA)
• Government Office for London (GOL)
• Greater London Authority (GLA)
• Greater London Domestic Violence Project (GLDVP)
• Respect
• Standing Together
• National Health Service (NHS) London
• The Havens
• Eaves
• Southall Black Sisters

MPA Members

15. It is recognised that the role that MPA Link Members play is crucial in linking borough performance in this area to meeting targets and priorities at CDRP level, and the presence of link members when their BOCUs are presenting to the Board would be of great benefit both in terms of local expertise and also to ensure any concerns or positive developments are taken forward at a more strategic level and with key stakeholders locally. Members are most welcome to attend DSVB meetings at any time, and Link Members should receive invitation letters to the Board when their borough is due to present, as well as a copy of the formal follow up letter received by the Borough Commander.

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