Violence Against Women Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence
Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015 “Ask & Act” group 2 training
Housekeeping. . . Mobile phones Toilets Breaks Taking care of yourself and each other
Ground rules. . . - Confidentiality - Do you need support? - Respect - Agreement Any others?
Introductions. . . - Name - Job title - One thing you’d like to learn today
Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015 What does the Act do? The Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015 centres on the PREVENTION of these issues, the PROTECTION of victims and SUPPORT for those affected by these issues. This is a unique and ground-breaking piece of legislation.
The National Training Framework Strategic engagement with Public Service leaders Group 5 Strengthening leadership within the specialist sector Group 4 Specialist accredited qualifications and training for those professionals responsible for specialist support Group 3 Enhanced training for non specialist practitioners with a pivotal role in client support Group 2 Ask and Act Group 1 Awareness raising and practical guidance Specialist Subject Syllabus Group 6
What are these sessions about? (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. - 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 - Domestic abuse - Victim / survivor - Sexual violence - Perpetrator / offender / abuser - Gender Based Violence & Violence Against Women - Client / service user - VAWDASV - FGM, FM, & HBV - "Ask“ and “Act” - People with a disability / the disabled
Welsh Government definitions Abuse: Physical, sexual, psychological, emotional or financial abuse. Domestic abuse: Abuse where the victim of it is or has been associated with the abuser. Gender-based Violence: (a) violence, threats of violence or harassment arising directly or indirectly from values, beliefs or customs relating to gender or sexual orientation; (b) female genital mutilation; (c) forcing a person (whether by physical force or coercion by threats or other psychological means) to enter into a religious or civil ceremony of marriage (whether or not legally binding). Violence Against Women: The experience of gender based violence by women. Sexual Violence: Sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, or threats of violence of a sexual nature.
Benefits of “Ask and Act” 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; 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!
Targeted enquiry In your group discuss: - What do you think is a “targeted enquiry”? - Why is “targeted enquiry” chosen over a “routine enquiry” in Ask & Act?
Targeted enquiry – why? Signals service as somewhere that help can be gained. Victims want to be asked. Silence is not neutral. Early intervention can reduce impacts – including death. Helps to reduce stigma and isolation. Child protection. Good clinical practice.
Prevalence of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence
Entrapment process Conditioning/ Dependency Normalisation Entrapmen t
What is at the heart of VAWDASV?
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. - Instills fear, dependence, compliance and shame.
Six Stages of Leaving – Liz Kelly Ending the abuse Ending the relationship Reevaluating the relationship Defining the abuse Distortion of perspective /reality Managing the situation
True or false? - Men who hit their female partners were usually abused themselves as children. - Most acts of sexual assault and rape are committed by strangers. - Although violence against women crosses all social classes, it is more common in working class families. - A rape victim won’t always physically resist her attacker. - Violence against women is a result of inequality. - There are no services for male victims. - Most domestic violence is alcohol related. - Extended families can perpetrate violence against women. - A person who is drunk or using drugs should be held partially responsible if they are sexually assaulted or raped.
Group activity In your groups respond to two questions: 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?
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? In your department/area of work what would you identify as the key indicators?
The four types of indicators The potential outward & physical signs someone is experiencing VAWDASV. The presence of some other information which suggests the experience of abuse. Signs Cues Indicators Settings Where asking all clients is considered good practices. Symptoms Of abuse or associated impacts (such as anxiety or depression). Taken from “Ask and Act”: A practitioners guide, Welsh Government 2017
Socio Cultural Signs - Constant accompaniment by partner - 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 - 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 Taken from “Ask and Act”: A practitioners guide, Welsh Government 2017
Key indicators Social Services - 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 - Children known to Social Services - Suicidal tendencies or self-harming - Not being able to meet anywhere public - Alcohol or other substance misuse - Reluctance to speak of personal matters - Chronic pain (unexplained) - Always seeming afraid or nervous - Physical injuries - Not wanting to meet at house
Key indicators Education Pupils - Visible Bruising or Injury - Vaginal bleeding or sexually transmitted infections; - Change in behaviour - Disengagement from school - Tiredness - Underachievement - Overachievement/Perfectionism - Absence/long holidays - Not wanting to leave school - Information from other services Adults – Parents/Staff - 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
Mental illness such as Borderline Personality Disorder PTSD / flashbacks Rape Trauma Syndrome Eating disorder Indicators: sexual violence Substance abuse / dependency Self-harm Depression Panic disorder/anxiety
Sexual Violence & Mental Health At the point of accessing a service, a large proportion of survivors reported mental health issues. Survivors of sexual abuse also faced several additional vulnerabilities including having experienced domestic abuse (15%) and being at risk of childhood sexual exploitation (5%) alongside commonly having been abused multiple times during their life (multiple victimisation). Self-Harm 11. 1% Anxiety 22. 5% Attempted Suicide 9. 5% Panic Attacks 6. 5% Flashbacks 11. 8% Depression 21. 2% Difficulty Sleeping 17. 3%
Cues A piece of information or pattern of behavior 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. Group exercise: Each table to discuss the possible cues presented for 1 type of VAWDASV: - Male Victims - “Honour” Based Violence (HBV) - Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) - Rape / Sexual Assault Trauma Syndrome (SV) (10 minutes)
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 How. . . Do you ever… I can see… Has anyone… Has your partner… We know that… In pairs – think about questions you might ask in your setting, and now think of a follow-up question.
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…’ For many survivors, just having someone listen to them, is all they need.
Do not behave like the abuser This means do not: - Judge - Deny - Blame - Disbelieve - Tell them what to do - Act without client knowledge (and preferably, do not act without consent)
Risk identification There will be (rare) occasions where the client who discloses to you is in immediate danger. In such cases you will need to take swift action to offer them protection. On some occasions it will be obvious that the client is in immediate danger. On others you will need to ask questions to check what the client/patient is currently experiencing.
Risk identification To identify immediate risk you should ask questions such as: - Where is the perpetrator/s now? - Is it safe for you to return home to your family? - Is it safe for you to talk? - Are you worried about returning home? - Are you worried about what will happen when you leave here today? - Are you injured? - Where are your children, are they injured? If a client is in immediate danger you should phone 999.
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: Unless your organisation requires it - YOU ARE NOT EXPECTED TO complete the RISK identification form – ASK FOR SUPPORT AND ADVICE. 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.
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 Practice You 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….
What to remember from the skills practice: 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.
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 2 End of the full day version of Ask & Act (group 2 professionals) Diolch yn fawr - Thank you
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