Domestic Abuse Flashcards
Define Domestic Abuse
Behaviour of person A towards another person B is domestic abuse if -
A & B are each aged 16 or over & are personally connected to each other, & the
behavior is abusive
Behaviour is ‘abusive’ if it consists of any of the following – physical or sexual abuse,
violent or threatening behavior; controlling or coercive behavior; economic abuse,
psychological, emotional or other abuse;
And it does not matter whether the behavior consists of a single incident or a course
of conduct
What do you need to know prior to attending an incident of DA?
Location of caller
Weapons
Location of incident
Children
Previous
Warning markers
What needs to be considered when preserving life in relation to DA incidents?
Risk
Safeguarding
Officer safety
Medical assistance
Powers of entry
Police protection
Decision making
What needs to be considered in relation to victims in incident of DA?
Medical assistance
Risk assessment
Body worn video
Physical evidence
First account
Safeguarding
Risk
Injuries
Type of witness
What needs to be considered in relation to witnesses of DA?
First disclosure
Social media
House to house
Type of witness
What needs to be considered in relation to DA Crime scene?
Crime scene identification
Preservation
Common approach path
Log books
Cordons
Cross contamination
Staff
Recording
Outline stages of identifying suspects in relation to DA incident
Are there suspects identified in early stage?
What do i need to do to preserve material relating to them?
Where are they now?
Do I have grounds + necessity for an arrest?
Intelligence checks, are there premises/vehicles I need to search?
Searches
Explain Police Officers first response actions in relation to Golden Hour enquiries
Testimony of victim/witnesses whilst still fresh in minds
Physical evidence secured and not lost
Suspects located earlier maximising recovery of forensic evidence
CCTV footage collected before deleted
Scenes identified and secured before contaminated
Interviews of suspects completed sooner
Corroborative evidence obtained
Force priority - improve levels of response and investigation
House to house opportunities
Explain repeat victim of DA
Someone who reported x2 or more DA incidents within 12 months
Explain repeat perpetrator of DA
Someone reported to police for committing or threatening domestic abuse against same victim more than one in 12 month rolling period. Includes family, partner current or former.
Explain serial perpetrator of DA
Someone reported to police for committing or threatening domestic abuse against two or more victims includes family, partners current or former
Outline the x3 main types of relationship violence
1 - Situational Violence
Situation based
Perp by both men and women but men violence often more frequent and more severe
Can be frequent or infrequent
Partners DO NOT live in fear of eachother
Many see violence not requiring police involvement
2 - CBB Intimate Terrorism
A pattern of coercive control
Induces FEAR
Continues after separation
Typically perpetrated by men
Linked to homicide
Escalates over time
3 - Violent Resistance
Victim might fight in self defence, verbal or physical
Might act in revenge/retaliation
Might fight in self preservation - when victims kill abuser
Victim does not seek power or control
Typically perpetrated by women responding to CBB
How can you use the information of x3 types of relationship violence when policing DA?
Ensure I look out for fear in one party and delve deeper for patterns of coercive control
Ensure if I see fear I examine closely any evidence of violent resistance
Ensure if a victim or witness says it’s “just a one off” that I look for a trigger and any likelihood of a repeat
List barriers of reporting DA
One off
Fear
Not believed
Public humiliation
Loss of children
Wrong outcome
What happens when police leave
Cant accept its DA
Victim self blame
Criticism
Not a police matter
What does the DASH model seek to do?
Help front line practitioners identify high risk DA, stalking and harassment and HBV
Help staff identify serial and dangerous perpetrators
Decide which cases should be referred to MARAC
Identify any support required from agencies
Common tool for agencies part of MARAC procedure provides understanding of risk management
Enables agencies to make decisions based on evidence from extensive research of cases including domestic homicides and near misses.
Outline the x3 risk levels in DA
STANDARD
- Current evidence does not indicate likelihood of causing serious harm
MEDIUM
- There are identifiable risk indicators of serious harm. Offender has potential to cause serious harm but it is unlikely unless there is a change in circumstances.
HIGH
- There are identifiable indicators of risk of serious harm which could happen any time.
Explain PPN
Must be completed in every DA or stalking and harassment incident
Updates partner agencies and shares information they may already be aware of in order for them to provide further information of victim or vulnerable person
Includes 29 questions used to identify and manage risk
All 29 incidents must be completed for every DASH incident
All decisions and actions must be recorded and reviewed
Officers responsibility for risk until handed over to next shift or specialist staff
Explain the PPN Referral pathway steps
PPN completed by officer
Officer tasks DAU box according to RA made on PPN
Handed to PPU risk assessor
Shared with social services, 3rd sector, IDVA, health etc
Define S75A Serious Crime Act 2015
S75A(1)
A person commits an offence if they intentionally strangles another person
OR
Does any act that that affects ability to breathe
AND
Constitutes battery
S75A(2)
It is an defence under this offence S75A(1) under this section for A to show that B consented to the strangulation or other act
S75A(3)
But subsection 2 does not apply if
- B suffers serious harm as a result of the strangulation or other act
AND
A either intended to cause B serious harm
OR
A was reckless as to whether B would suffer serious harm
List additional safeguarding measures for DV
Police + cucoon watch
DVPN
DVPO
MARAC
Claire’s Law
Live Fear Free
Drive
Wisdom
Explain Claire’s Law main features
Names after Claire Wood 2009 murdered by partner with x3 previous convictions.
Information to be disclosed to potential vicitims about history of partner.
Must reside in police area where applying.
Must be in current relationship with subject.
Right to ask.
Application through 101, attending station, speaking to officer.
Can be made through third party.
Risk Assessment.
If immediate risk identified action must be taken to safeguard.
Explain DVPN + DVPO
Introduced by Crime and Security Act.
Enables police to put in protection in place for victim in immediate aftermath of DV incident.
DVPO can prevent prep from returning to residence and having contact with victim for up to 28 days - allows victim breathing space to consider options with agency support.
Explain difference between DVPN + DVPO
DVPN -
Issued by police to provide emergency protection to victim. Must be heard by magistrates court within 48 hours.
DVPO-
Police then apply at the court for a DVPO. Prohibitions are extended for period between 14-28 days.
What is the criteria for a DVPN
Authorising officer of Supt or above
Perp 18 or over
Reasonable grounds to believe they have been violent or threatened violence
Victimless process - does not require consent.
Victim and perp do NOT live together.
Referral can be made by third party.
What can a DVPN do when victim and perp live at same address
Require perp to leave address
Prohibit from entering address
Prohibit from evicting victim
Prohibit coming within certain distance of premises
What does the Investigating Officer (DV) need to do once satisfied DVPN is needed?
- Complete relevant form including authorisation form
-Take reasonable steps to obtain any representation made by the perp
-Submit quality assure to their supervisor
-Submit AO for authorisation
-Include victim views on AO
