Agenda item

6.1

The Committee received a report of the Director of Commissioning, Communities Portfolio, which described what was known of the prevalence of domestic and sexual abuse in Sheffield, set out the City’s current response in relation to domestic and sexual abuse for adults and outlined recent developments and issues.  The report was presented by Alison Higgins, Domestic Abuse Strategic Manager.  Also present were Jo Daykin-Goodall, Director of Substance Misuse Strategy/Head of Drug and Alcohol/Domestic Abuse Co-ordination Team, and Councillor Pat Midgley, who had been invited for this item as a representative of the Children, Young People and Family Support Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee. 

6.2

Members made various comments and asked a number of questions, to which responses were provided as follows:-

·                There were lessons to be learnt from a recent case of domestic abuse which had included an element of coercive control.  It had been noted that victims sometimes didn’t choose the right agency to approach for help and there was a need to skill-up other agencies, so that victims could be appropriately directed.

·                Every Domestic Homicide Review had an independent chair and received evidence from the affected family.  The Review Board supervised its recommendations and the affected family were visited and asked about the review report.  In relation to this most recent case, it appeared that attitudes had been changed within that particular community.

·                Claire’s Law was a disclosure scheme whereby people could find out about the previous record of any new partners.  Information was available about this on the South Yorkshire Police website and there was a link from the Drug and Alcohol/Domestic Abuse Co-ordination Team (DACT) website.  In addition the Police had given briefings to appropriate agencies in this regard.

·                Domestic Violence Prevention Orders were now being implemented.

·                The Claire’s Law process took a few days to complete and information would be circulated to Committee Members on this.

·                Officers were aware of situations in local communities whereby women were afraid to speak out about domestic abuse because of a fear of having their children taken into care.

·                The recent Domestic Homicide Review had recommended  actions to raise awareness and up-skilling in the voluntary sector, but the lack of resources was a limiting factor.

·                In relation to prevention, a helpline was available which led people to the right service and work had been undertaken to cut down the length of time that this would take.  There was, however, more investment needed in early intervention and advice.

·                There were ongoing discussions as to what success would look like with regard to intervention and consideration was being given to involving the Public Health Team in this.

·                The Domestic Abuse Helpline was open from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm and it was intended that this would become a 24 hour service. 

·                In relation to support for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender relationships, officers had worked with the Broken Rainbow organisation and there had been a presence at Pride events.  Specific references were also included on the DACT website.  It was felt that there were still some barriers in coming forward, but that the situation was improving.

6.3

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

(a)       thanks Jo Daykin-Goodall and Alison Higgins for their contribution to the meeting; and

(b)       notes the contents of the report and responses to questions.