Sally Clarke Domestic Abuse Co-ordinator, Halton

DOMESTIC ABUSE IN HALTON

How today’s arguments can turn into tomorrow’s murders…

Domestic Abuse is defined by the Government as:

"Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse

(psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners

or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality."

This includes issues of concern to black and minority ethnic

(BME) communities such as so called 'honour killings'.

What is domestic abuse?

Hitting kicking slapping punching biting burning name calling confidence bashing taunting controlling intimidating tricking humiliation stealing or with-holding money

mind games imprisonment isolation belittling rape punishing threatening mental torture

sexual assault or degrading acts forcing drink/drugs

What’s the extent? Domestic abuse is 25% of all violent crime – it is the largest cause of

death worldwide in women aged 19-44, greater than war, cancer or motor vehicle accidents

13% of all homelessness cases are as a result of domestic abuse- Domestic abuse is the main cause of homelessness in the UK

52% of all child protection cases involve domestic abuse

Domestic abuse is a factor in 34% of all female suicides Every week, two women are killed by a partner or ex-partner In 90% of all violent and abusive households, children are in the same or next room

30% of all domestic abuse cases starts or escalates during pregnancy

One in six men will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lives

 

Some Numbers…(06/07 data)

More than 2160 incidents reported467 violent crimes committed

336 arrested 64 women fled to refuge

430 referrals to Support Service16 Sanctuaries

How does it affect the victim?• Confidence/self esteem/worthlessness/self neglect• Physical Health … chronic pain … untreated injury

• Mental Health … eating disorders … self harm … insomnia

• Dependency on substances – alcohol and drugs• Concentration – ability to work/parent• Isolation – loneliness – loss of friends• Guilty – ‘It’s my fault for…’• Depression/Anxiety• Ability to form healthy relationships/sexual dysfunction

• ULTIMATELY – suicide … homicide

How does it affect children and teens?• Academic problems, learning, truancy• Social problems, making friends, communicating• Mimicking violent behaviour• Regression in development – speech, toilet, behaviour• Introvert or extrovert – one extreme to the other• Ability to form healthy relationships• Depression/Anxiety/Distress• Bedwetting, nightmares, self harm, withdrawal• Guilt/Fear• Flashbacks/phobias• Becoming the carer

What can we do as professionals?

Support services - TRC/RASASC/KCP

IDVA … ISVA … midwife … SHAP

Sanctuary/Night Stop/MARAC/SDVC/SARC/

Co-ordinated response -Multi agency referral form

Information sharing

Training

Raising awareness

Policy and Procedure

The next step…

What should I do following a disclosure?

Risk assessment - MARACProfessional judgement – duty of care

0800 783 9636 24hr