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Reducing the Risk OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY Issue 42 : April 2013
This is issue 42 of the Reducing the Risk e-bulletin. All information contained in this e-bulletin will be available on the Reducing the Risk website. Please use the website as your first port of call for information, advice and support regarding domestic abuse. Please feel free to forward this e-bulletin to anyone you consider would benefit from receiving this information.
If this email has been forwarded to you but you would like to be included on the mailing list please click here.
If you would like to unsubscribe from this e-bulletin please click here.
Also, if you would like to contribute to the content of the e-bulletin then email [email protected] www.reducingtherisk.org.uk or www.amiabused.co.uk
Contents
1. Domestic Abuse Champions’ Meetings and Training Sessions
2. Reducing the Risk Website News: Donate Button 3. Choice and Control in Safeguarding Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board Conference 2013
4. The Reality of HIV and the Role of Faith Groups
5. Ministry of Justice releases guidance on obtaining legal aid in family law cases 6. The Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012: Evidence requirements for private family law matters
7. Turpin and Miller introduces schemes for funding legal services
8. Job Vacancy : Project Manager - SAFE !
9. New guidance launched to help employers support staff experiencing domestic abuse
10. Strategic Priorities for Female Offenders
11. ‘Can You See Me?’ Educational Resource
12. Home Office – Extended definition of domestic violence takes effect
13. DWP considering change to ‘exempt accommodation’ definition
14. The DWP publishes Universal Credit partner toolkit
15. Domestic violence figures are disturbingly high, says charity
16. Women’s Aid Chief Exec - Polly Neate on Newsnight
17. Out of Focus : how families are affected by alcohol use, and how they look for help
18. Philpotts case a 'classic example of domestic violence'
19. Domestic violence: 'As a man, it's very difficult to say I've been beaten up' 20. Casualty turns spotlight on female genital mutilation
21. Survey: National research on the types of interventions working with domestic violence perpetrators in the UK
22. Women's Aid national conference 2013 - save the date
23. Lowering Language Barriers - training
24. Domestic abuse: helping parents reduce the harm to their children
25. AVA Training : How technology is used to abuse and protect young people experiencing violence against women and girls
26. Working with gang-affected young people experiencing sexual and domestic violence, 12-26 June
27. Addressing post natal depression: a significant cause of unstable families and developmental risk to children
1. Domestic Abuse Champions’ Meetings and Training Sessions
Community Champion Training (2 full days 9.30 – 17.00)
The next training will be on:
2-3 May 2013 at the Old Music Hall, Cowley Road, Oxford.(Booking closed) 3-4 July 2013 at Cottsway Housing, Cottsway House, Witney OX28 4YG 26-27 September 2013 at South Oxfordshire District Council, Crowmarsh Gifford 10-11 December 2013 at Banbury Early Intervention Hub,
Schools Champion Training (1 day)
28 June 2013 9.30 – 15.30 4 October 2013 9.30 – 15.30
At Unipart House
Please book via Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board Website http://learning.oscb.org.uk/page.php?currentpageref=137
Champion Refresher Training (1 day 9.30 – 15.00)
16th April 2013 at Cottsway Housing, Witney 17th July 2013 at County Hall, Oxfordshire County Council 4th October 2013 at Banbury Early Intervention Hub, (see above) 15th January 2014 at South Oxfordshire District Council Offices, Crowmarsh Gifford
Please book by contacting [email protected]
Network Meetings
23rd April 2013 9.30 – 12.30 The Old Library, Oxford Town Hall (Family Magistrates) 19th June 2013 9.30 – 12.30 Bicester Hub (NCDV) 12th Sept 2013 9.30 – 12.30 Cottsway Housing, Witney 22nd Oct 2013 9.30 – 12.30 South Oxfordshire District Council offices 4th Dec 2013 9.30 – 12.30 County Hall, Oxford City
Details will be on the Reducing the Risk web site.
Any contributions or suggestions for speakers or offers of venues for Network Meetings would be gratefully received. Just e mail me [email protected]
2. Reducing the Risk Website News: Donate Button
Two women are killed every week in the UK by their current or ex-partner. This shocking statistic is one that we would not like to see exist in the future. How can this be achieved I ask you say?
In Oxfordshire we have a fantastic charity ‘Reducing the Risk’ working with victims of domestic abuse. The brilliant work of the Independent Domestic Violence Advisors is key to ensuring that we identify and support those most at risk. This charity supports high risk victims to enable risk management to be implemented. We have no idea exactly how many lives the charity may have saved but we do know about the experiences of those victims using the service which have been extremely positive.
In order to continue this great work, we now have a donate button on our website for people to make contributions to the Reducing the Risk charity.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men experience domestic abuse in their lifetime; 1 in 10 women at any point in time. It affects all of use whether it be a friend, family member or colleague.
Please consider the charity for your next fund raising venture, it could save a life!!
Quotes from people who have used the Independent Domestic Violence Advisors/Reducing the Risk charity in Oxfordshire
Provided me with strength and courage when all I wanted to do was hide away!!
By attending court with me on a very difficult day I would just like to say a huge thank you to everyone concerned for your advice, support and knowledge.
Before A became involved I can honestly say my situation would not have improved regarding housing! With IDVA on board it gave me focus to progress my application. Also the communication and phone calls were enough to put me at ease!
Supported me through every situation. Always there when I needed advice or help or reassurance. Could not have been through what I have without the support.
Go to the http://www.reducingtherisk.org.uk/cms/ website to use the MY DONATE button 3. Choice and Control in Safeguarding Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board Conference 2013
16 May 2013 . 09:30 - 16:00 . Unipart House, Oxford OX4 2GQ
This year's conference will focus on issues of choice and control in safeguarding relating specifically to mental health and mental capacity. The personalisation agenda seeks, among other things, to give people more choice and control over their social care and support services to enable them to lead more independent and fulfilling lives. For people with mental health problems access to the type of choice and control may be compromised by fears about risk. There is a need to balance empowerment and protection, self- determination and safeguarding.
Objective: raise awareness of the issues; strengthen and build partnerships, share knowledge and identify solutions. Speakers: Jennifer Bute - Jennifer is a doctor, was a carer, and now has dementia herself and considers dementia a 'privilege and glorious opportunity to get the word out in a positive way’. Lucy Butler - Deputy Director of Oxfordshire Adult Social Care, Oxfordshire County Council Ros Alstead - Director of Nursing and Clinical Standards- Oxford Health Foundation Trust Workshops: Workshops building on some of the complex issues around choice and control including: Sexual Exploitation of Vulnerable Adults; Hoarding delivered by Hoarding UK; Drugs and Alcohol. Cascade Educational Theatre Bookings: The conference is open to people in agencies across Oxfordshire who have responsibility for safeguarding vulnerable adults.
If you work at Oxfordshire County Council, book online: learning.myoxfordshire.gov.uk If you work outside the County Council, email attached booking form to:[email protected] Here is the flyer , booking form and a map of the venue . Please book as soon as you can.
4. The Reality of HIV and the Role of Faith Groups
Saturday, 11th May, 2013 9:30 AM – 3PM The Old Library, Oxford Town Hall
Conference Details The conference will focus on faith, HIV/AIDS, building community partnerships, and addressing social stigma and discrimination.
Specifically, the morning session will focus on HIV prevention and social stigma, with talks by public health officials and charity leaders. In the afternoon, there will be a panel discussion on the work of faith groups in this field. Please see the attached tentative programme for further details of the discussions and presentations.
Purpose & Impact The conference is to empower faith groups to promote health and wellbeing, ensure the continuity of this work in our community, and create positive partnerships between faith groups and service providers.
In order to achieve these goals, we need the participation and input of Oxfordshire-based faith groups. We encourage each group to send up to four delegates to the conference on 11th May. Delegates can be lay members of the congregation, religious educators, faith leaders, health and social care providers.
RSVP We would be very grateful if you could let us know the names of the delegates who will represent your organisation by 25th April, 2013. Please send your response to Abraham at [email protected], or by telephone 01865 243389.
If you have any further questions, please do no hesitate to contact us. We look forward to your participation.
By request I am repeating the next three articles on Legal Aid which appeared in last month’s E. Bulletin
5. Ministry of Justice releases guidance on obtaining legal aid in family law cases
The Ministry of Justice has published guidance to the public on the evidence required for legal aid applications in family law cases. The guidance has been produced ahead of new provisions contained in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, which came into force on Monday 1 April. As reported in earlier editions of eNews, victims of domestic abuse will continue to be eligible for legal aid for private family law cases. These are cases involving child contact, residence issues, or financial matters, following divorce/separation. However, in order for a victim to access this type of legal aid, they will need to provide a prescribed form of evidence of domestic abuse. The guidance makes clear to victims the evidence that is acceptable and how to secure it.
As part of the legal aid changes, MARAC Chairs may be asked to provide a letter detailing any action plans which have been created for the victim within the past 24 months. The guidance explains how victims can obtain this letter from the MARAC Chair by contacting their local police force's public protection unit.
Other eligible evidence for victims of domestic abuse who are divorcing or separating from an abusive partner includes:
Evidence of criminal convictions for a domestic violence offence Evidence of a Police caution for a domestic violence offence Evidence of on-going criminal proceedings for a domestic violence offence Evidence of a protective injunction An undertaking given in place of a protective injunction Finding of fact of domestic violence by a court Letter from a doctor or nurse confirming injuries or a condition consistent with domestic violence Evidence from social services confirming domestic violence Evidence from a domestic violence support organisation confirming a 24 hour stay in a refuge due to domestic violence
FIND OUT MORE
View the guidance on legal aid for victims of domestic abuse.
View the guidance on legal aid when a child is at risk of abuse from a partner.
6. The Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012: Evidence requirements for private family law matters Link below http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/legal-aid/funding-code/evidence-requirements-for-private-family-law- matters.pdf
7. Turpin and Miller introduces schemes for funding legal services
Turpin & Miller LLP are launching 2 new ways of funding services with the upcoming Legal Aid cuts. As some of you are aware, from 1st April 2013, it will become more difficult to obtain Legal Aid for family matters, and it will not be available for Financial Matters, or for Children matters unless there has been proven domestic abuse. The definition of domestic abuse is very tight, as is the level of proof required, and we have therefore devised 2 schemes for clients unable to satisfy the criteria, and who therefore might have to fund legal advice on a privately funded basis.
Tailor Made This is a scheme of fixed prices that we have devised to ensure that our clients know how much they need to pay for a piece of work. We are going to offer fixed price work inclusive of vat, and most out of pocket expenses, for things such as divorce, issuing injunctions etc. The benefit will be that clients know at the outset how much the work will cost and will be able to budget accordingly.
Face to Face We have also devised a way of seeing clients for individual meetings, where we don’t “go on record” in the traditional way, don’t enter into correspondence with the other side, etc. We simply see the client as and when they need face to face advice, and charge for the amount of time the client is with us only. The charges have been set at a very reduced private rate of £100 plus vat per hour, and this scheme is ideal for people who might want us to check over something they have drafted themselves, or to give them pieces of one-off advice.
We are still continuing to offer a full range of Public Funding (“Legal Aid”) to those who still qualify in Family matters. Please check the following link to check your availability http://www.justice.gov.uk/legal-aid/assess-your-clients-eligibility/civil-eligibility-calculator
For more information about both of our schemes, as well as our newly launched Family Mediation department, please contact Turpin & Miller LLP on 01865 770111 or look up our website www.turpinmiller.co.uk
8. Job Vacancy : Project Manager - SAFE !
Unfortunately I am going to be leaving my post as Project Manager of SAFE! this summer. I am very sad to be leaving as SAFE! has been a wonderful organisation to work for and has done such exciting work. One of the things I have enjoyed about the project has been working with partner organisations and the support SAFE! has received from friends and colleagues. Thank you all so much.
SAFE! is now on the lookout for a new Project Manager and is advertising the post at http://www.safeproject.org.uk/youngPeople/vacancies.php and http://jobs- oxfordshire.abasoft.co.uk//JobDetails.aspx?msg=V%2bjSdrzAQCmws0WWV %2bIAOSLpdZSbiwgmlKXEXCT30kc%3d.
Please circulate this through your networks and to anyone you know who might be interested. Martha Beale Project Manager SAFE! Support for Young People Affected by Crime 01865 815 926 www.safeproject.org.uk
9. New guidance launched to help employers support staff experiencing domestic abuse
10 April 2013
New guidance is launched today to help employers manage and support employees affected by domestic abuse, which one in four women will experience at some point in their lifetime.
The guidance, developed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, outlines how employers should respond if an employee is affected by domestic abuse.
The guidance is designed to enable employers to develop a domestic abuse workplace policy and provides tips for managers on how to manage and support an employee experiencing domestic abuse. These small steps can include giving an employee time off to consult a lawyer, diverting telephone calls or providing a safe car park space.
The guidance is necessary because domestic abuse is a subject that managers struggle to respond to appropriately. People experiencing domestic abuse can be subject to disciplinary action and even lose their jobs because their behaviour, being late for example, is misinterpreted. A domestic abuse workplace policy will mean that skilled and experienced staff are able to retain their jobs and feel safe and supported in the workplace.
CLICK HERE for full article
10. Strategic Priorities for Female Offenders
On the 22nd March the Government has published the 'Strategic Priorities for Female Offenders'.
It sets out four priroties, these are:
1. Ensuring the provision of credible, robust sentencing options in the community that will enable female offenders to be punished and rehabilitated in the community where appropriate.
2. Ensuring the provision of services in the community that recognise and address the specific needs of female offenders, where these are different from those of male offenders.
3. Tailoring the women's custodial estate and regimes so that they reform and rehabilitate offenders effectively, punish properly, protect the public fully, and meet gender specific standards, and locate women in prisons as near to their families as possible; and
4. Through the transforming rehabilitation programme, supporting better life management by female offenders ensuring all criminal justice system partners work together to enable women to stop reoffending
To support the delivery of these priorities, a new Ministerial Advisory Board for Female Offenders has been established. The Board, which will bring together key stakeholders, criminal justice partners and senior officials across Whitehall, will provide strong leadership in delivering the strategic priorties.
The strategic priorities document and related stories have been published on Justice
11. ‘Can You See Me?’ Educational Resource
A ground-breaking new resource has been launched by Women’s Aid in a bid to tackle the problem of domestic violence in teenage relationships.
‘Can you see me?’ is made up of a 20 minute film and accompanying lesson plans and has been developed in partnership by Women’s Aid, West Mercia Women’s Aid and The Rural Media Company, with funding from The Midcounties Co-operative.
The film explores the concept of teenage relationship abuse by focusing on an unhealthy relationship between two teenagers, Jake and Ellie. Together with the lesson plans, it is available nationwide and free of charge to schools and youth workers.
The DVD and education pack is designed to help young people understand healthy relationships and their rights and responsibilities in a relationship. It will also help them to look out for warning signs and to know where to go for help and to help others.
Midcounties funded the £40,000 education project after supporting Women’s Aid as its charity partner for two years and raising £330,000 for its work.
Maxine Sharman, Head of Community Engagement at Midcounties, said: “We are proud to have raised much needed funds for Women’s Aid but we also recognised the importance of raising awareness too in order to help break the cycle of domestic violence.
Working with young people to educate them on what is and what is not acceptable in a relationship seemed exactly the right thing to do. We believe this project, as a legacy of our charity partnership, will make a positive difference.
“It is also timely as this March the government’s definition of domestic violence was widened to include those aged 16 to 17, to increase awareness and encourage more young people to come forward and access the support they need.”
Polly Neate, CEO of Women's Aid, said: "At Women's Aid we know that young people are affected by domestic violence in their very first relationships, so it is vital that we reach out to young people and talk about abuse in relationships in a way that is relevant to them.
In developing the 'Can You See Me?' DVD and lesson plans we have tried to use characters and settings that young people can relate to, to help them understand domestic violence and know how to keep themselves and their friends safe. Education and prevention are key to ending domestic violence, and Women's Aid is grateful to the Midcounties Co-operative for supporting this project and helping us to work towards this goal."
Schools and domestic violence services can access the education pack via the website at www.canyouseeme.coop.
12. Home Office – Extended definition of domestic violence takes effect
05 Apr 2013 A wider definition of domestic violence, including 16 and 17 year olds and controlling behaviour has taken effect as of 31st March. The definition of domestic violence has been expanded to cover more victims.
Young people aged 16 to 17 and coercive control – a pattern of controlling behaviour – will now be included for the first time.
The new cross-government definition will raise awareness about the many types of domestic abuse that can ruin lives and encourage more people to seek help.
Domestic Violence
Crime Prevention Minister Jeremy Browne said:
Domestic violence is a devastating crime that can affect people of all ages. Abuse can be emotional as well as physical, and the government is determined to ensure all victims have the protection and support they need.
That is why we are extending the definition of domestic violence to include 16 to 17-year-olds and coercive, or controlling, behaviour.
The new definition makes it clear exactly what counts as abuse and will help adults and young people avoid unnecessary suffering.
Sadly statistics show that 16-19 year old girls were the group most likely to suffer domestic abuse in the last year.
It is vital that victims, and those supporting them, are clear about what constitutes abuse so they seek the support they need at an early stage and do not suffer in silence.
Teen Relationship Abuse
The extension of the domestic violence definition builds on the launch of the Home Office’s Teenage Relationship Abuse and Teenage Rape Prevention campaigns to help young people identify abuse.
A joint Home Office and NSPCC young people’s panel – made up of those who have experienced domestic violence - has also been established to help inform the government’s work in this area.
13. DWP considering change to ‘exempt accommodation’ definition
In a letter to Chief Executive of Women’s Aid, Polly Neate, Lord Freud, Minister for Welfare Reform at The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), has stated that the Government’s intention is to protect supported housing from the benefit cap, bedroom tax and Universal Credit changes. Lord Freud specifically mentions that he wishes to protect refuges and other provision where care and support is arranged or provided by a managing agent. As these arrangements do not fall within the precise definition of ‘exempt accommodation’ the DWP is working with a range of stakeholders to develop solutions such as a change to the definition. Changes cannot be put in place this month but proposals will be brought forward at the earliest opportunity. Read the letter here.
Women’s Aid welcomes this letter as helpful clarity about the government’s intentions, and recognition of the influencing work undertaken by Women’s Aid and other groups representing supported housing providers. We will continue to work with DWP on this issue. Regarding bedroom tax, Women’s Aid has heard of one local authority which has said that survivors living in self-contained accommodation within a refuge service – such as flats - are liable to the bedroom tax if they are ‘under-occupying’ the property. This means that they are not treating flats as ‘exempt accommodation’ under Housing Benefit rules. If flats do not count as exempt accommodation this means that housing costs will in future be met under Universal Credit, the bedroom tax will apply, the Benefit Cap will apply, and it is likely that the survivor would be liable to pay council tax.
We have also heard examples where the bedroom tax applies when the survivor is in their own home but has Sanctuary measures. In one case the local authority did not want them to move as it would cost money to install Sanctuary in another property, so had suggested the survivor should take in a lodger. This is dangerous for the survivor and the lodger.
If this happens, the individual could apply to their local authority for a Discretionary Housing Payment to meet the shortfall.
Women’s Aid has raised both examples with DWP. If any survivors or your services are affected by the bedroom tax in any way, please contact Marilyn Howard.
14. The DWP publishes Universal Credit partner toolkit
Universal Credit starts on the 29th April in ‘Pathfinder’ areas in the North West before being rolled out nationally from October. In preparation for this, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have developed a Universal Credit partner toolkit which is now available on the DWP website.
The Universal Credit toolkit is made up of a set of mainly claimant facing documents, designed to help them understand the new system, together with overviews and frequently asked questions for a wider audience. The toolkit will be reviewed regularly and updated as new information becomes available. Feedback on the toolkit or its contents can be sent to [email protected].
15. Domestic violence figures are disturbingly high, says charity
Citizens Advice says it received reports of attacks from 13,500 people – 80% of them women – in
Gillian Guy, the chief executive of Citizens Advice, says domestic violence 'haunts the lives of too many women and children. Photograph: Christian Sinibaldi for the Guardian
When the emergency services arrived at Rebecca Beattie's home, a trail of blood led to where she lay, battered, on the kitchen floor. A day after he had promised to kill her if she left him, her partner returned home to find her with friends – attacking them and then repeatedly punching and kicking the mother of his son as she lay at his feet.
"I remember having this overwhelming feeling that this was the end of my life, this was it, but then I thought of my son and decided it couldn't be the end – I had to see him again," she said. "Later they told me that in the ambulance I was wailing, 'This is not my life'."
The war against domestic violence was meant to have been won, with a 40% decline in incidents since 1995, according to the British Crime Survey. But, in worrying new figures, the charity Citizens Advice has reported a substantial increase in the number of people telling advisers they are victims. CLICK HERE for full article from The Guardian.
16. Women’s Aid Chief Exec - Polly Neate on Newsnight Women’s Aid Chief Executive was a Newsnight guest on Friday 5th April talking about domestic violence. If you missed it it’s available the BBC iplayer website until the 12th April. Polly has also recently made statements and been featured in The Guardian, on the BBC website and on BBC Five Live's Double Take programme commenting on the Mick Philpott case and the domestic violence he perpetrated for over 30 years.
17. Out of Focus : how families are affected by alcohol use, and how they look for help
Adfam spoke to families who had been affected by the problematic drinking of a loved one. They found that if family members are victims of DV perpetrated by someone who also drinks problematically, they may be unwilling to seek support and talk to services in case the abuse is uncovered and the perpetrator punishes them through increased violence.
Out of Focus: how families are affected by alcohol use, and how they look for help
18. Philpotts case a 'classic example of domestic violence'
By Sarah Bell BBC News
Mairead Philpott said her husband had appeared to be her "guardian angel" when they first met
Mick Philpott has been jailed for life for killing six children in a house fire in Derby by a judge who said his relationships were marked by "control, aggression and fear".
The behaviour exposed during his trial was a "classic example of domestic violence", says one expert.
"Women were your chattels, there to look after you and your children. You bark orders and they obey... you were king-pin, no-one else mattered," judge Mrs Justice Thirlwall told Philpott during sentencing.
Over 30 years, Philpott exercised both physical and psychological abuse towards a string of women.
The wages and benefits earned by his wife and mistress were paid into his account which he controlled. They did not have their own front door keys and had to ask permission to leave.
He had earlier tried to kill one of his girlfriends when she tried to leave him, a fact which was kept from the jury.
CLICK HERE for full article 19. Domestic violence: 'As a man, it's very difficult to say I've been beaten up'
The victims of female violence are real and their numbers are growing, yet care and refuges are in very short supply
Tim, 59, has severe learning difficulties and is now living in a men’s refuge in Berkshire after his wife assaulted him repeatedly during their short marriage Abbie Trayler-Smith
An inch under six foot tall, Dave, a gardener with a deep, gravelly voice is not most people's idea of a domestic violence victim. But he suffered two years of abuse at the hands of his girlfriend and was too embarrassed and loyal to report her to the police. He slept in his car for weeks before speaking to his local council, who found him a place at a men's refuge.
He struggles to keep it together when he recalls the day his girlfriend smashed a bottle of Jack Daniels across his head, leaving him bleeding on the pavement: a deep scar is still clearly visible on his forehead. But when the 45-year-old from Essex describes the relief of being believed by the authorities, he breaks down, his broad shoulders heaving beneath his rugby shirt.
CLICK HERE for full article
20. Casualty turns spotlight on female genital mutilation
Campaigners hail move by BBC soap to take scandal out of the shadows on to peak-time TV for first time
The soap will run a storyline about a girl who has already undergone FGM and is trying to protect her younger sister. Photograph: Richard Ansett/BBC
Female genital mutilation will feature on prime-time TV for the first time on Saturday in Casualty, bringing a modern scandal out of the shadows, say campaigners.
The BBC soap is running a storyline about a girl who has undergone the procedure and is trying to protect her younger sister from the same fate. The younger girl is threatened with being taken abroad to her extended family for cutting and later with being subjected to it in the UK.
"FGM has been in the shadows here in this country," said Efua Dorkenoo of Equality Now, one of the leading campaigners against the practice. "Because of that, we as a country are not really grappling hard with the fact that it is happening here."
There are thought to be 20,000 girls at risk of FGM living in the UK, although the figures are now old, and 66,000 women who have been subjected to it. The practice has been illegal here since 1995, but it was not until 2003 that a loophole that allowed parents to take their children abroad for FGM was closed. "Casualty's contribution is to give voice to children whose needs are not being addressed and bringing the whole issue into the living room," said Dorkenoo. "It will contribute to bringing down the walls of silence and taboo around it."
The scriptwriter, Sasha Hails, says she was inspired to write the episode by a girl who she and other mothers of children at a London primary school suspected had been subjected to FGM.
"We became aware that this little girl disappeared for the summer and when she came back, she wasn't quite right," Hails said. "She needed to keep going to the loo and she was just different … We were a group of mums in the playground … we put two and two together. We knew it was terrible and we talked about it amongst ourselves but no one ever did anything about it. None of us even dared to talk to her mother. It seemed such a personal thing … and it really stayed in my head that this horrific thing had happened and by not doing anything we were complicit in allowing it to happen."
Nimco Ali, who was taken to Somalia at seven for FGM and is co-founder of the campaign group Daughters of Eve, was an adviser to the programme. "My personal aim is to afford young women the same privileges that I had and for them to understand that within them there is great potential," she said. "In order for that to happen we need to all stand together and empower them. As [the character] Tamasha says on Casualty, quoting a young woman we have worked with: 'It never stops hurting. It is always painful.' Let us not deepen that pain by undermining the bravery of those woman and girls that come forward not only to tell their stories, but also to live a life of their choosing.
"If I could wish for one thing to change as a result of the Casualty episode, it would be for everyone to see the child in front of us as a girl asking for help and not part of an 'other' culture."
21. Survey: National research on the types of interventions working with domestic violence perpetrators in the UK
Respect is carrying out national research on the types of interventions working with domestic violence perpetrators across the UK - any type of intervention at all. This could be a domestic violence group work programme, individual counselling, Family Intervention Project, Restorative Justice, Family group conferencing, couples counselling - anything which you or others in your area are using in work with perpetrators to reduce their abusive behaviour.
If you are running one of these services, or refer clients to one, or know about one - please click and take 10 minutes to fill in the survey
Respect is carrying out national research on the types of interventions working with domestic violence perpetrators across the UK - any type of intervention at all. This could be a domestic violence group work programme, individual counselling, Family Intervention Project, Restorative Justice, Family group conferencing, couples counselling - anything which you or others in your area are using in work with perpetrators to reduce their abusive behaviour.
If you are running one of these services, or refer clients to one, or know about one - please click and take 10 minutes to fill in the survey -or please forward this on to other colleagues or contacts. This will all help us to help policy makers, commissioners and funders of services understand better what's out there at the moment, what's needed, what's helping and what the problems are.
Thanks for your time. If you have any questions please contact Thangam Debbonaire (Respect Research Manager) at [email protected]
For more 22. Women's Aid national conference 2013 - save the date information see Women’s Aid events calendar. Further details of The Womens Thursday is to be held on the 11th and 12th July at the University conference will of Warwick, Coventry. The conference is the leading annual event for specialist be available providers of domestic and sexual violence services and other professionals shortly but if you working in the sector. With over 20 different sessions including plenaries, training would like to and information workshops, attendance at the conference offers you the register your opportunity to expand your knowledge, learn new skills, and debate the issues interest please facing specialist and dedicated services for survivors of domestic and sexual contact Katie abuse. Ross.
23. Lowering Language Barriers - training
Communicating with people who struggle to speak and understand English, often leads to difficult conversations for staff. Good communication saves time and money, and reduces misunderstandings.
This one day training will help staff adapt their language for people whose first language is not English. It focuses on giving you the tools you need to adapt the way you talk (and write), to people who speak English as an additional language. The training is also relevant if you work with clients with low literacy, the elderly or people with learning difficulties.
Date: 6th June 2013 (10am - 4pm)
Venue: British Red Cross, Reading.
Cost: £155 / £130 (voluntary or charity sector). This includes lunch.
We are offering a 15% discount for bookings taken before 26th April.
The course, Lowering Language Barriers, is a practical and innovative course for staff with frontline roles. The training will benefit anyone who works in diverse communities.
Participants will:
* understand what it is like to communicate in a different language * identify key words specific to your work, and look at how to explain them more clearly * learn how to write in plain English * practice techniques for explaining complicated and technical information * understand the potential for visual resources * receive feedback on communication style - especially pace of talking * learn how to check understanding * understand the cultural differences in communication Chalmers & Byrne Training is experienced in delivering training to a wide range of organisations and job roles. Our clients for in-house training include local authorities, Children's Centres, Housing organisations and providers of information, advice and guidance. For a fuller list please go to our website. Here is an outline and booking form for the training. Please take a look at our website for more information or give me a call on the number below.
Katy Byrne Director (Events) Chalmers & Byrne Training Ltd 0208 674 2045 www.chalmersbyrne.co.uk
24. Domestic abuse: helping parents reduce the harm to their children
Tue 11 – Thu 13 June 2013 Birmingham
The closing date for applications for this CPD course is Tuesday 30 April and there are a few places still remaining.
Domestic abuse victims with young children suffer the most severe abuse and their children are at risk of physical and psychological harm. 69% of victims accessing high risk services have children.* Victims need effective support from skilled and experienced professionals to help them appreciate how best to protect their children.
Cost reduction Just to remind you: we have reduced the number of training days for this course from 4 to just 3 and cut £100 off the cost. All of our CPD courses are run in partnership with sector experts and deliver higher level learning on specialist topics.
Course outcomes As a learner, you will benefit by equipping yourself with the most up-to-date, evidence based learning so you can immediately change your practice and make victims and their children safer. On successful completion of the training, learners can expect to understand the effects of domestic abuse on children in different contexts and the implications for their safety and well-being. This will include:
Recognising the risks to and protective factors for, children who are living with domestic abuse. Understanding the practical application of current legislation for safeguarding children and its historical context. Understanding the professional role and responsibilities in relation to safeguarding children when working with families, other relevant agencies and the Family Courts.
CAADA offers CPD accreditation in collaboration with OCN London for this course.
Learner feedback Our courses are always well received by attendees and we appreciate the positive feedback that we get. Here’s just one example:
“As I work with adult survivors I don't think I fully appreciated how crucial my role is with regards to safeguarding children and what valuable information I can gain by speaking to my clients more about their children. I have taken away valuable tools which I feel can benefit my whole team to better protect our clients' children.”
Find out more or apply now: About the course What does it cost? How do I apply?
25. AVA Training : How technology is used to abuse and protect young people experiencing violence against women and girls
This one day course will provide an overview of the different ways technology is used to abuse young people. Participants will learn how technology can impact on young people's emotional and physical wellbeing; including online grooming, sexting and internet safety. Practitioners will also gain knowledge about how technology can protect young people by increasing their knowledge about abuse and support services.
Delegates can expect to:
Increase their knowledge on the different ways technology is used to abuse young people
Understand the impact technology has on VAWG including domestic violence
Expand their knowledge about the impact of online pornography on young peoples' relationships
Gain an understanding about sexting and its impact on young people
Learn about online resources that can inform your practise with young people
Increase knowledge on how online space can be used to reach and engage vulnerable young people
Friday 24 May 2013, London £90 vol/£130 Stat To book click here.
26. Working with gang-affected young people experiencing sexual and domestic violence, 12-26 June
Date 12 June 2013 TrainerAkima Thomas, Michelle Springer-Benjamin & Shannon Harvey Venue Amnesty International UK The Human Rights Action Centre 17-25 New Inn Yard London EC2A 3EA Price £450 vol / £599 stat
This 5 day course is delivered from 10am-4.30pm. The course will take place on 12, 13, 14 and 25& 26 June 2013 AVA and Women & Girls Network are OCN accredited centres.
This accredited course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to work effectively with young people affected by domestic and sexual violence, including gang-related violence. CLICK HERE for more information
27. Addressing post natal depression: a significant cause of unstable families and developmental risk to children
Tuesday 4 June 2013, Nottingham
The latest medical research suggests that postnatal depression is far more widespread than previously thought…” (The Times, 19 March 2013).
Post natal depression (PND) has been identified as a major cause of family instability and poor outcomes for children. Early identification followed by support and treatment is an opportunity to make a significant contribution to strengthening unstable families and improving outcomes for children through better parenting and a more positive home environment.
Approximately 70,000 women per year in England and Wales suffer from some degree of PND, which recurs in around 30% of cases. Women frequently do not seek help and are not otherwise identified as being in need of help. The most severe form, puerpal psychosis, affects a small number of women but suicide remains the largest cause of death in women around the time of childbirth.
Some areas have integrated, multi-agency approaches to PND while others have significant gaps in provision, particularly in informal and community based support services.
This Learning Day will:
highlight the links between PND and vulnerable families provide examples of services which effectively tackle different levels of PND, including working with fathers and whole families feature several speakers whose own experience of PND has informed the service they offer
For further information, and to book on-line, go to www.ccclimited.org.uk . Alternatively, telephone us on 0115 916 3104 and we’ll be happy to talk to you.
This event is certified for CPD.There are discounts for team bookings and a limited number of reduced rate places for small charities. Jane Lakey Central Conference Consultants Ltd
I hope you find the above interesting and informative.
Julia
Julia McCormack Administrator & Project Support Officer Domestic Abuse Champions’ Co-ordinator Safer Communities Unit Graham Hill House Electric Avenue Ferry Hinksey Road OXFORD OX2 0BY
Telephone: 01865 815397
Please Note: We are unable to specifically recommend or guarantee the quality of any of the courses or products listed in this E Bulletin as we neither have control of, nor accept any liability for, the content of external products.