Ask and ActGroup 2 Training

Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse

and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015

Housekeeping

breaks toilets mobile

phones

taking care of yourself

and each other

microphone mute

Ground rules...

confidentiality respect do you need

support?

agreement anything else?

Introductions

•Name

• Job title

•One thing you’d like to

learn today

What are these sessions about? (1)(sent out in email in advance of the training)

• How to recognise the signs and symptoms of violence

against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence;

• Understand the purpose of and demonstrate an ability to

undertake targeted enquiry.

What are these sessions about? (2) (sent out in email in advance of the training)

• Demonstrate knowledge around data protection and the

duty of confidentiality;

• Understand the purpose of risk identification in relation to

some forms of violence against women, domestic abuse and

sexual violence;

• Be able to implement the targeted enquiry care

pathway.

The language we use

Victim / survivor

Perpetrator / offender / abuser

Client / service user

"Ask“ and “Act”

People with a disability / the disabled

Domestic abuse

Sexual violence

Gender Based Violence & Violence Against Women

VAWDASV

FGM, FM, & HBV

Benefits of “Ask and Act” (1)

Increased identification of those experiencing

violence against women, domestic abuse and

sexual violence by using targeted enquiry.

Increased referrals to specialist services for those

identified;

Benefits of “Ask and Act” (2)

An improved culture across the Welsh Public Service where identification of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence is an accepted area of business and where disclosure is supported, accepted and facilitated.

Earlier identification ensures support services are available at the earliest opportunity, rather than just at the point of crisis!

Victims want to be asked

Child protection

Early intervention can

reduce impacts –

including death

Signals service as

somewhere that help can

be gained

Good clinical practice

Silence is not neutral

Helps to reduce stigma

and isolation

Targeted enquiry – why?

Prevalence of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence

Coercive Control

•Underpins violence and abuse.

•Most victims of abuse experience coercive control rather than isolated physical assaults alone.

• Victims often state that the coercive control is far more devastating than physical assaults.

• Instils fear, dependence, compliance and shame.

What might be some of the barriers for professionals

to make a targeted enquiry about one of the following:

- Sexual violence

- Female genital mutilation

- Forced marriage

- Domestic abuse

What might be some of the barriers for service users/survivors to make a

disclosure about VAWDASV?

In your groups respond to two questions:

Group activity

Survivors said they want

To be treated

with dignity and

respect

To be given help to get

themselves and their

children safe

For professionals to know

that abuse is universal; is

more than physical

assaults; is about power

and control and affects

the whole family and how

hard it is to disclose.

To be believed

How might you encourage disclosure?

Think about:

▪ Indicators;

▪The environment/creating a

supportive environment;

▪What the client may be feeling;

▪What barriers the worker may

create.

Build rapport

• Use the person’s name where possible

• Be polite and sympathetic

• Use active listening

• Agree with them to encourage talking

• Do not tell them what to do

• Let them know they are doing the right thing by telling you

• Let them know you are taking them seriously

• Do not act shocked or appear as if you do not believe them

Key Indicators

Of abuse or associated

impacts (such as anxiety or

depression).

Symptoms

The presence of some other

information which suggests the

experience of abuse.

Cues

Where asking all clients is

considered good

practices.

Settings

Indicators

Signs

The potential outward &

physical signs someone is

experiencing VAWDASV.

Socio Cultural Signs (1)

• Partner exerting unusual amount of control or demands

over interactions with service

• Reliance on partner for decision making

• Worried about leaving children at home with partner or

family

• Partner or ex-partner exerting unusual amount of

control or demands over clients schedule

Socio Cultural Signs (2)

• Changes in attitude or behaviour

• Constant accompaniment by partner

• Obsession with timekeeping

• Secretive regarding home life

• Social isolation

Physical Signs

• Unexplained injuries

• Change in the pattern or amount of make-up used

• Change in the manner of dress: for example,

clothes which do not suit the climate which may

be used to hide injuries

• Substance use / misuse

• Fatigue / sleep disorders

Key indicators Social Services (1)

• Cancelled or frequently not attending appointments

• Never allowed alone, partner or family member present

• Traumatic injury, particularly if repeated with vague or

implausible explanations

• Depression, anxiety, sleep issues

• Suicidal tendencies or self-harming

• Alcohol or other substance misuse

• Chronic pain (unexplained)

Key indicators Social Services (2)

• Children known to Social Services

• Not being able to meet anywhere public

• Reluctance to speak of personal matters

• Always seeming afraid or nervous

• Physical injuries

• Not wanting to meet at house

Key indicators Education – Pupils (1)

• Visible Bruising or Injury

• Vaginal bleeding or sexually transmitted infections;

• Change in behaviour

• Disengagement from school

• Tiredness

Key indicators Education – Pupils (2)

• Underachievement

• Overachievement/Perfectionism

• Absence/long holidays

• Not wanting to leave school

• Information from other services

Key indicators Education – Adults (Parents / Staff) (3)

• Visible Bruising or Injury

• Change in behaviour

• Disengagement from school / work

• Tiredness

• Absence/long holidays

• Working Late / unable to stay late

• Information from other

colleagues/parents

Key indicators Housing

• Rent Arrears

• Financial difficulties

• Damage to property

• Anti social behaviour call outs

• Requests for changes to tenancy agreements

• Requests to move/exchange property

• Isolation

Key Indicators: sexual violence

Indicators:

sexual

violence

Substance abuse /

dependency

Mental illness such as

Borderline Personality

Disorder

PTSD / flashbacks

Rape Trauma Syndrome

Eating disorder

Depression

Panic disorder / anxiety

Self-harm

Sexual Violence & Mental Health (1)

Anxiety 22.5%

Depression 21.2%

Difficulty Sleeping 17.3%

Flashbacks 11.8%

Self-Harm 11.1%

Attempted Suicide 9.5%

Panic Attacks 6.5%

Cues

A piece of information or pattern of behaviour which

merits enquiry.

To “Ask and Act” is not to interrogate, but where a cue is

observed or received, a professional should make

appropriate enquiry.

Settings

• Mental health

• Maternal and post partum settings

• Settings dealing with concerns about child abuse or

neglect

• Sexual health services

• Workplace

Video Clip

• How to ask and respond...

Questions that work

Think about

questions you

might ask in your

setting,

… and now think of

a follow-up

question.

How...

We know that…

Has your partner…

I can see…

Do you ever…

Has anyone…

Responding to disclosures

• ‘Thank you for telling me…’

• ‘I believe you…’

• ‘What you have described is not uncommon…’

• ‘You are not to blame for the violence / abuse / what happened

to you…’

• ‘Your safety and wellbeing is my priority…’

• ‘You have the right to be safe and get support…’

• ‘You have the right to feel the way you do and to talk about it…’

• ‘You are the expert on what you need…’

• ‘There is help available…’

Do not behave like the abuser

Judge

Deny

Disbelieve

Tell them what to do

BelittleAct without client knowledge

(and preferably, do not act

without consent)

Risk factors for violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence

•What do we mean by risk?

•Why is it important to identify risk?

•What are some of the most significant risk factors

associated with cases of serious harm or death in

relation to domestic abuse?

Additional resources available:

• Refer to an IDVA/ISVA/IPA (add local details);

• Refer to Welsh Women’s Aid / local specialists (handout with local

information);

• Refer to your group 3 champion;

• Refer to your Safeguarding Lead;

• Ensure they have the national helpline (give out cards/pamphlets).

• Key issues for survivors + safety, housing, money & children – you

might need to link into other agencies (refer to handout). Not

expecting you to be experts…. Group 3.

Unless your organisation requires it - YOU ARE NOT EXPECTED TO complete the RISK

identification form – ASK FOR SUPPORT AND ADVICE

Gathering & Sharing Information Legislation

• Data Protection Act (2018) - Prevention and detection of a crime and/or the apprehension or prosecution of offenders & General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

• Human Rights Act (1998) – e.g. Right to life, right to be free from torture or inhuman or degrading treatment – Articles 2 & 3

• Children’s Act (1989) - disclosure to CYPS or the Police for the exercise of functions under the Children Act – Schedules 2 & 3, DPA

• Crime & Disorder Act (1998) – prevention and detection of crime

• Common Law Duty to act.

National Helpline

(professionals can also call the helpline for advice)

AVAILABLE TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY, SEVEN

DAYS A WEEK – FREE OF CHARGE.

Local Referral Pathway

Skills Practice

Your trainers will create a scenario where one is a service user, and the other

is a service provider.

Your role is to help the service provider to Ask & Act effectively.

Follow the trainers prompts, and using the knowledge and skills developed

today, help them to create a safe and conducive environment for the service

user to disclose.

Skills PracticeYou will all be working as a group of 3.

You will receive the information about an individual.

You’ll have 5 minutes to consider 3 key questions to ask.

You will then have the opportunity to ask your questions to the facilitator.

Dependant on your questions you may be able to complete the pathway.

Consider carefully what you need to know.

Consider how to engage with the person as highlighted earlier in todays

session.

Fill in the form/check the pathway….

Be aware of multiple needs, but also multiple disadvantage;

Consider the appropriateness of the risk assessment tool you are using;

If you need more information, for example, about forced marriage or

working with LGBT community then ask your Group 3 champion or contact

specialist services for more advice;

Use your referral pathway, ensure your decisions are documented and

information stored in line with your policy.

What to remember from the skillspractice:

Key messages:ASK consistently and ACT confidently;

Get as much information as you can about what services

and support are available;

Seek help and support from colleagues, your group 3 champion,

Safeguarding Leads, VAWDASV Leads, workplace champions, specialist sector

– there is a lot of support;

Leaving can be a very dangerous time for a victim and escalates their risk –

SEEK EXPERT ADVICE to ensure a client is supported through this process.

Ask & Act Group 2End of the full day version of

Ask & Act (group 2 professionals)

Diolch yn fawr - Thank you