Monday 08 December 2014
A consultation on the 2015-2020 Domestic Abuse Strategy is launched today by the Home Department Minister.
The Department is also today releasing the results of a recent domestic abuse survey, which asked survivors for their views on the support they received, the services available and their experience of the criminal justice system.
Domestic Abuse Strategy
The main strands of the strategy are Prevention, Protection and Justice, Provision of Support and Partnership Working. Speaking about the launch, Deputy Peter Gillson said:
"As the Minister for the Home Department, I am pleased to publish for consultation this draft domestic abuse strategy. This new draft strategy sets out a vision where domestic abuse will not be tolerated in our islands and victims will be protected from perpetrators through appropriate use of criminal and civil law.
We know it will take considerable time to achieve this goal and even if incidences of domestic abuse fall, robust protection and support continues to be needed for those at risk of harm. We can only succeed if we all work together towards this vision.
The Home Department has had tremendous support over the last three years from voluntary, statutory and community sector organisations in working together to bring the domestic abuse strategy alive. I would also like to thank the many individuals who have helped with the development of this consultation document.
We would really welcome any additional feedback from the community, as well as from the relevant States departments and agencies which support those experiencing abuse."
Domestic Abuse Strategy Co-ordinator Fiona Richmond says:
"This strategy sets out our proposed approach for the next five years. Victims are at the core of our thinking throughout. They need confidence in the criminal justice system, health and social care agencies and numerous other organisations, to know that we will do all we can to ensure that they obtain the support they require and that their abusers are held to account."
The consultation runs from 8 December 2014 to 30 January 2015.
The Home Department would be pleased to receive feedback on the Domestic Abuse Strategy from any interested parties. The consultation documents can be found at www.gov.gg/domesticabusestrategyconsultation
Meeting the Needs of Local Domestic Abuse Survivors - survey results
Domestic abuse survivors answered a series of questions about their experiences for a survey that has helped the Home Department identify where focus is needed.
A total of 197 survivors completed the survey - not all answered every question - with most responses being completed online via Survey Monkey and accessed through the Safer Facebook page.
As a result, more than 20 recommendations have been prioritised within the action plan for the next domestic abuse strategy.
A brief overview of the survey results:
- 91% of the 185 respondents who answered a question about the effect of domestic abuse felt it had an impact on their mental health.
- 73% of the 177 who answered the question said it impacted on their physical health.
- A little more than eight out of every 10 abusers (81.3%) were the male partner/husband/ex-partner of women.
- Survivors felt that being believed/taken seriously by staff was a vital factor when seeking help (142 out of 147 who answered a question about what was important to them).
- A total of 59 out of the 145 respondents (41%) who answered the question stated that the domestic abuse had been reported to the local police.
- Just under half of those who reported it to the police said their abuser had been arrested (27 out of 59).
- Out of the 27 arrested, 22 were taken to court (81%), with 14 of those being found guilty (64%).
- The most common reasons survivors gave for not speaking to someone about their ordeal were; they hoped it would get better without help (60 out of 116 who answered question) and/or they didn't realise it was abuse (48 out of 116)
Home Department Minister Peter Gillson said:
"We would like to express our appreciation to the many survivors of domestic abuse who took the time and energy to participate in the survey.
Their feedback really helped us to understand ways in which local domestic abuse services, legislation and support need to be strengthened and improved.
"A set of recommendations within the survey report have been prioritised within the domestic abuse strategy action plan for 2015-2020."
Those recommendations include:
- A review of the local legislation and court processes in relation to domestic abuse is carried out.
- A workplace survey is carried out to show the impact of domestic abuse in the workplace and to encourage employers to put in place domestic abuse workplace policies and guidelines.
- The strategy to work in partnership with community groups and agencies to create public campaigns to raise awareness of the issue.
- A resource manual for health professionals should be developed and published to assist them in identifying and dealing with domestic abuse (health professionals were the professional group that the highest number of survivors disclosed abuse to).
- Specialist domestic abuse and criminal justice services do more to promote their services in relation to domestic abuse and ensure that their services are accessible.
- The impact of domestic abuse on children and young people should be highlighted more
- Outcomes for children and young people living with domestic abuse should be monitored in relation to the work being carried out with them.
