DOCSLIB.ORG

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy (A6)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy (A6) Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy (A6) Scope: Whole School (Including Boarding) Release date: September 2021 Review date: September 2022 Author: Senior Deputy Head Senior School Reviewer: Advisory Board Member for Safeguarding and Child Protection Approval body: Board of Directors Linked documents This policy should be read in conjunction with the following published documents by third parties: Keeping Children Safe in Education September 2021 Working Together to Safeguard Children July 2018 Revised Prevent Duty Guidance: For England and Wales April 2021 The Prevent duty: Departmental advice for schools and childminders (Revised April 2021) The use of social media for on-line radicalization July 2015 Cambridgeshire County Council Basic Child Protection Booklet 2021 Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment between children in Schools and Colleges September 2021 Guidance for Safer Working Practice May 2019 Preventing Bullying July 2017 Mental Health and Behaviour in Schools November 2018 Elective Home Education April 2019 Safeguarding and Remote Education During Coronavirus March 2021 Sharing Nudes and Semi-Nudes December 2020 This policy links to our: Peer on Peer Abuse policy (Senior) Attendance policy Behaviour policy (Senior) Good Behaviour Policy (Prep) Anti-Bullying (Prep) Complaints procedure Health and Safety policy Online Safety and Acceptable Use policy Whistleblowing policy This policy should be read in conjunction with the following internal documents: Suitability of Staff Protocol April 2016 Wisbech Grammar School Teachers’ Guide Acronyms CSE Child Sexual Exploitation DSL Designated Safeguarding Lead DP Designated Person EYFS Early Years Foundation Stage FGM Female Genital Mutilation SCPB Safeguarding Children Partnership Board LADO Local Authority Designated Officer Availability This policy is available to parents and prospective parents on the School website, and a printed copy may be requested from the School Offices/Pupil Services Team. Introduction Wisbech Grammar School (Senior School), Magdalene House Preparatory School and EYFS Department fully recognises the responsibility it has under section 157/175 of the Education Act 2002 to have arrangements in place to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. This responsibility is more fully explained in the statutory guidance for schools and colleges ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (September 2021). All staff must be made aware of their duties and responsibilities under part one of this document, which are set out below. Staff should read the above document together with ‘Annex B’ of ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (September 2021) and ‘What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused: Advice for practitioners’ (March 2015). Through their day-to-day contact with pupils and direct work with families all staff in school have a responsibility to: Identify concerns early to prevent them from escalating; Provide a safe environment in which children can learn; Identify children who may benefit from early help; Know what to do if a child tells them he/she is being abused or neglected; Follow the referral process if they have a concern. This policy sets out how the school’s Board of Directors discharges its statutory responsibilities relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children who are pupils at the school. Our policy applies to all staff, paid and unpaid, working in the school including Directors. Teaching assistants, mid-day supervisors, office staff as well as teachers can be the first point of disclosure for a child. Concerned parents/carers may also contact the school and its Board of Directors. It is consistent with the Safeguarding Children Partnership Board (SCPB) procedures. There are four main elements to our policy: Prevention through the teaching and pastoral support offered to pupils and the creation and maintenance of a whole school protective ethos; Procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse. The definitions of the four categories of abuse are attached (see Appendix A); Supporting children particularly those who may have been abused or witnessed violence towards others; Preventing unsuitable people working with children through following processes to ensure that those who are unsuitable to work with children are not employed. Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy September 2021 (A6) 3 1. Prevention We recognise that high self-esteem, confidence, supportive friends and good lines of communication with a trusted adult help to protect children. The school will therefore: Establish and maintain an environment where children feel safe in both the real and the virtual world and are encouraged to talk and are listened to. Ensure children know that there are adults in the school whom they can approach if they are worried or in difficulty and their concerns will be taken seriously, kept safe and never be made to feel like they are creating a problem for reporting abuse, sexual violence or sexual harassment All concerns will be acted upon as appropriate. Include in the curriculum activities and opportunities which equip children with the skills they need to stay safer from abuse both in the real and the virtual world and information about who to turn to for help. in line with guidance provided by the government https://www.gov.uk/guidance/teaching-about-relationships-sex-and-health such as . How to: determine whether other children, adults or sources of information are trustworthy: judge when a family, friend, intimate or other relationship is unsafe (and to recognise this in others’ relationships); and, how to seek help or advice, including reporting concerns about others, if needed . The characteristics of positive and healthy friendships . That some types of behaviour within relationships are criminal, including violent behaviour and coercive control . What constitutes sexual harassment and sexual violence and why these are always unacceptable . About online risks, including that any material someone provides has the potential to be shared online and the difficulty of removed potentially compromising material placed online . What to do and where to get support to report material or manage issues online . The impact of viewing harmful content . That specifically explicit material e.g. pornography presents a distorted picture of sexual behaviours, can damage the way people see themselves in relation to others and negatively affect how they behave towards sexual partners. That sharing and viewing indecent images of children (including those created by children) is a criminal offence which carries severe penalties including jail . The concepts of, and laws relating to, sexual consent, sexual exploitation, abuse, grooming, coercion, control, harassment, rape, domestic abuse, forced marriage, honour-based abuse and FGM and how they can affect current and future relationships. How people can actively communicate and recognise consent from others, including sexual consent and how and when that can be withdrawn (in all contexts including online). Provide regularly updated safeguarding training (including online safety) to staff and also ensure that pupils themselves are taught about safeguarding and online safety In Magdalene House we use P.S! - Healthy and Safer Lifestyles Unit from the Cambridgeshire PSHE Service Personal Development Programme. This Unit reinforces essential skills for every child. Self esteem and confidence building, thinking independently and making assessments of risk based on their own judgements are encouraged throughout the Unit. Prevention of Peer on Peer Abuse We recognise that peer on peer abuse can manifest itself in many ways. This can include but is not limited to: Bullying (including cyberbullying, prejudice based bullying and discriminatory bullying), Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy September 2021 (A6) 4 Sexual violence and sexual harassment The sending of consensual and non-consensual nude and semi-nude images and or videos (sexting or youth produced sexual imagery) Abuse in intimate personal relationships between peers Initiation/hazing type violence and rituals (these may include harassment abuse or humiliation) Physical abuse (which includes hitting, kicking, shaking, biting, hair pulling or otherwise causing physical harm), Causing someone to engage in sexual activity without consent (such as forcing someone to strip, touch themselves sexually, or to engage in sexual activity with a third party)and Upskirting (part of the Voyerism (Offences) Act, April 2019) which typically involves taking a picture under a person’s clothing with the intention of viewing their genitals or buttocks to obtain sexual gratification, or cause the victim humiliation, distress or alarm. All forms of peer on peer abuse are unacceptable and will be taken seriously. The school will therefore: Create a whole school protective ethos in which there is a zero-tolerance approach to peer on peer abuse, including sexual violence and sexual harassment. Provide training for staff regarding: . Recognising and responding to peer on peer abuse, including raising awareness of the gendered nature of peer abuse, with girls more likely to be victims and boys perpetrators. However all forms of peer on peer abuse are unacceptable and will be taken seriously . How peer on peer abuse cases should be reported as stated in the Peer on Peer Abuse policy and followed up. How to the victims, perpetrators and any other children affected by peer on peer
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill
    PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT GENERAL COMMITTEES Public Bill Committee POLICE, CRIME, SENTENCING AND COURTS BILL Seventeenth Sitting Tuesday 22 June 2021 (Morning) CONTENTS New clauses considered. Adjourned till this day at Two o’clock. PBC (Bill 5) 2021 - 2022 No proofs can be supplied. Corrections that Members suggest for the final version of the report should be clearly marked in a copy of the report—not telephoned—and must be received in the Editor’s Room, House of Commons, not later than Saturday 26 June 2021 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2021 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 645 Public Bill Committee 22 JUNE 2021 Police, Crime, Sentencing and 646 Courts Bill The Committee consisted of the following Members: Chairs: STEVE MCCABE,†SIR CHARLES WALKER † Anderson, Lee (Ashfield) (Con) † Higginbotham, Antony (Burnley) (Con) † Atkins, Victoria (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of † Jones, Sarah (Croydon Central) (Lab) State for the Home Department) † Levy, Ian (Blyth Valley) (Con) † Baillie, Siobhan (Stroud) (Con) † Philp, Chris (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of † Champion, Sarah (Rotherham) (Lab) State for the Home Department) † Charalambous, Bambos (Enfield, Southgate) (Lab) † Pursglove, Tom (Corby) (Con) † Clarkson, Chris (Heywood and Middleton) (Con) † Wheeler, Mrs Heather (South Derbyshire) (Con) † Cunningham, Alex (Stockton North) (Lab) † Williams, Hywel (Arfon) (PC) † Dorans, Allan
    [Show full text]
  • Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls - Progress Against Previous Actions
    Annex A: Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls - Progress against previous actions This document sets out progress against the actions the Government committed to in the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (2016-2020), Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy Refresh (2019), and Male Victims’ Position Paper (2019). 1 Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy Refresh (Published March 2019) Prevention Ref Action Lead Status 1 Commission new research on “what Government Completed works” to engage men and boys on Equalities challenging issues such as gender Office This research was completed and published in January 2021 and healthy relationships. Research publications - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 2 Commission new research into the Government Completed causes, impacts and influencers of Equalities body dissatisfaction, and what Office This research was completed and published in January 2021 works to tackle the cause and effects of low body image. Research publications - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 3 Work with schools to support the Department for Completed roll-out of mandatory Relationships Education Sex and Health Education to ensure Since September 2020, Relationships and Health Education has that it provides children and young been compulsory in primary schools and Relationships Sex and people with the knowledge and Health Education has been compulsory in secondary schools. understanding that they need on violence against women and girls. In September 2020, the Department for Education published a package of support for all schools to support the implementation and teaching of the RSHE curriculum. 2 4 Introduce a statutory Code of Government Ongoing Practice for employers on sexual Equalities harassment, developed by EHRC.
    [Show full text]
  • 04. Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
    Policy 4: Safeguarding Updated by Deputy Head (Pastoral) August 2021 Next approval due by Governors June 2022 St George’s Safeguarding Policy Table of Contents Contacts Key School contacts Key External contacts Policy Statement Introduction Aims Concerns about a Child Supporting Children Definitions of Safeguarding and Types and Signs of Abuse Procedures for Dealing with Concerns About a Child Early Help What Staff Should Do If They Have Concerns About A Child What Staff Should Do If A Child Is In Danger or At Risk Of Harm Multi Agency Working Information Sharing Specific Safeguarding Arrangements Interaction with Pupils Communication with Pupils Supervision of Pupils Images of Children What Staff Should Do If A Child Is Seen As At Risk of Radicalisation What Staff Should Do If A Child If They Discover an Act of FGM 1 Policy 4: Safeguarding Updated by Deputy Head (Pastoral) August 2021 Next approval due by Governors June 2022 What Staff Should Do If A Child If A Child Goes Missing From Education What Staff Should Do If A Child If They Have Concerns About Another Staff Member What Staff Should do if they Have Concerns About Safeguarding Practices In The School Whistle Blowing Procedures Confidentiality Arrangements For Dealing With Peer-on-peer Allegations Arrangements For dealing With Allegations Of Abuse Against Teachers And Other Staff (including the Head, Governors and Volunteers) Staff Behaviour Policy/ Code Of Conduct Neutral Notification Safer Recruitment Management Of Safeguarding Training All Staff DSL Oversight of Safeguarding, Including Arrangements
    [Show full text]
  • Domestic Abuse Act 2021—Long Overdue
    www.newlawjournal.co.uk | 18 June 2021 FAMILY LEGAL UPDATE 9 Domestic Abuse Act 2021—long overdue Family lawyers need to ensure they have a clear & comprehensive understanding of the wide-ranging nature of domestic abuse, say Jenny Duggan & Francesca White © iStockphoto/kemalbas IN BRIEF and coercive and controlling behaviour. which go beyond the non-molestation or f The Domestic Abuse Act claims to There will no doubt be much debate in occupation injunctive orders we typically provide protection to millions of people who cases as to what constitutes such abuse. grapple with in family proceedings. experience domestic abuse and strengthen The campaign group Surviving Economic These orders can impose electronic measures to tackle perpetrators. Abuse cites examples of ‘economic monitoring requirements and include f It expands the legal definition of domestic abuse’, such as preventing a partner positive obligation orders to address abuse beyond physical abuse to include from working or training, building up particular behaviours, such as anger or emotional abuse, coercive or controlling debts in a partner’s name (sometimes addiction. behaviour, and economic abuse. without their knowledge) and ensuring a (6) The o!ce of the Domestic Abuse f It recognises children as victims if they see, partner’s salary is paid into a joint bank Commissioner has now been established hear or experience the effects of abuse. account to which they do not have access. in law to stand up for victims, raise public Importantly, coercive and controlling awareness and hold local authorities, the he home is a space in which we behaviour covers post-separation abuse, legal system and other statutory agencies should feel safe, and yet it is a which we see so often in the Family to account in tackling abuse.
    [Show full text]
  • Domestic Abuse Bill – Action Plan DRAFT
    Dorset Community Safety Partnership (CSP) Domestic Abuse Bill – Action Plan DRAFT This is a working document as is being updated as draft legislation / guidance is finalised and new guidance is released. The action plan is being coordinated by the CSP. Current Legislation / Statutory Guidance Available; • Domestic Abuse Bill (in DRAFT form); • Draft Statutory Guidance Framework; • Draft Statutory Guidance on the delivery of support to victims of domestic abuse, including children, in domestic abuse safe accommodation services. Legislation / Statutory Guidance yet to be published; • Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (in FINAL form); • Draft Statutory Guidance – Domestic abuse protection notices and domestic abuse protection orders; • Draft Statutory Guidance – Claire’s Law. 1 Domestic Abuse Bill (Draft) Action Plan - Formal duties placed on local public bodies as set out in the Domestic Abuse Bill / Domestic Abuse Act 2021 Link to latest copy of the Domestic Abuse Bill - https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/lbill/58-01/124/5801124_en_1.html Ref Source DA Bill DA Bill - Issue Requirement Action Notes Target Lead Nominated Complete Cross Referenc completion agency lead officer Y/N Referenc e Point date e - Part DAB Domestic Abuse Bill Part 1 N/A Bill introduces a new All agencies will be Ensure any existing or new Details of the new definition Apr-21 CSP All reps Ongoing 1 and Subsequent definition for required to work to the documentation and public facing can be found in the DA Bill link. Strategy Domestic Abuse Act domestic abuse new definition material reflects the new definition Delivery Group DAB Domestic Abuse Bill Part 2 15 Bill introduces a new A duty is placed on Agencies must consider and respond Actions will be developed as N/A N/A N/A Ongoing 2 and Subsequent Domestic Abuse public authorities to co- to Commissioner's recommendations and when they come up.
    [Show full text]
  • Violence Against the Person
    Home Office Counting Rules for Recorded Crime With effect from April 2021 Violence against the Person Homicide Death or Serious Injury – Unlawful Driving Violence with injury Violence without injury Stalking and Harassment All Counting Rules enquiries should be directed to the Force Crime Registrar Home Office Counting Rules for Recorded Crime With effect from April 2021 Homicide Classification Rules and Guidance 1 Murder 4/1 Manslaughter 4/10 Corporate Manslaughter 4/2 Infanticide All Counting Rules enquiries should be directed to the Force Crime Registrar Home Office Counting Rules for Recorded Crime With effect from April 2021 Homicide – Classification Rules and Guidance (1 of 1) Classification: Diminished Responsibility Manslaughter Homicide Act 1957 Sec 2 These crimes should not be counted separately as they will already have been counted as murder (class 1). Coverage Murder Only the Common Law definition applies to recorded crime. Sections 9 and 10 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861 give English courts jurisdiction where murders are committed abroad, but these crimes should not be included in recorded crime. Manslaughter Only the Common Law and Offences against the Person Act 1861 definitions apply to recorded crime. Sections 9 and 10 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861 gives courts jurisdiction where manslaughters are committed abroad, but these crimes should not be included in recorded crime. Legal Definitions Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act 2007 Sec 1(1) “1 The offence (1) An organisation to which this section applies is guilty of an offence if the way in which its activities are managed or organised - (a) causes a person’s death, and (b) amounts to a gross breach of a relevant duty of care owed by the organisation to the deceased.” Capable of Being Born Alive - Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929 Capable of being born alive means capable of being born alive at the time the act was done.
    [Show full text]
  • Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy
    CHILD PROTECTION & SAFEGUARDING POLICY Date of publication: September 2021 Review date: September 2022 Reviewed by: Designated Safeguarding Lead: Headteacher Date: August 2021. Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead(s): Katy Luciani Date: September 2021 Headteacher: Avril Stockley Date: August 2021 Nominated Governor: David Brennan Date: September 2021 1 Contents 1. Policy statement and principles .....................................................................................4 1.1. Child protection statement ................................................................................................... 4 1.1. a) Policy principles .......................................................................................................................................... 4 1.1. b) Policy aims ..................................................................................................................................................... 5 2. Safeguarding legislation and guidance .........................................................................5 3. Roles and responsibilities ................................................................................................6 3.1. The designated safeguarding lead (DSL)........................................................................... 6 3.2. The deputy designated safeguarding lead(s): ................................................................. 6 4. Good practice guidelines and staff code of conduct ..................................................7 5. Abuse of position
    [Show full text]
  • Domestic Abuse Supported Accommodation Needs Assessment for Cumbria June 2021
    Domestic Abuse Supported Accommodation Needs Assessment for Cumbria June 2021 Date of full needs assessment: 28 June 2021 Date of amendment: 14 July 2021 (version 1.6) Sections amended 3.2.6; 3.4; 4.1; 8 Date for next refresh: tbc Date for next full needs assessment: tbc Page 1 of 97 Contents 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 4 2 Summary.................................................................................................................................. 5 2.1 Key issues ........................................................................................................................ 5 2.2 Gaps in safe accommodation provision ........................................................................ 6 2.3 Geographical differences in need across Cumbria ...................................................... 7 2.3.1 Cumbria overview .................................................................................................... 7 2.3.2 Allerdale .................................................................................................................... 9 2.3.3 Barrow-in-Furness ................................................................................................. 10 2.3.4 Carlisle .................................................................................................................... 11 2.3.5 Copeland ...............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Domestic Violence and Abuse Policy
    DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ABUSE POLICY Last Review Date June 2021 Approving Body Executive Committee Date of Approval 18 August 2021 Date of Implementation 18 August 2021 Next Review Date June 2024 Review Responsibility Director of HR & Corporate Services Version 0.4 REVISIONS/AMENDMENTS SINCE LAST VERSION Date of Review Amendment Details September Amended to reflect new job titles 2017 October 2019 Amended to reflect changes in legislation as outlined in the Domestic Violence Bill 2018. June 2021 Updated to reflect amendments to the Domestic Violence Bill 2019, Amendments to the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, and to reflect new job titles and responsibilities of key post holders. Page 2 of 23 CONTENTS DEFINITIONS SECTION A: POLICY PAGE NUMBER 1. Policy Statement, Aims and Objectives 5 2. Legislation and Guidance 5 3. Scope 6 4. Accountabilities and Responsibilities 6 5. Dissemination, Training and Review 8 SECTION B: PROCEDURE 1. Employees Experiencing Domestic Violence and Abuse 10 2. Responding to Domestic Abuse 10 3. Recording Information 12 4. Arrangements where others may be at risk 12 5. Personal Safety at Work Plan 12 6. Support for Managers dealing with Employee 13 Perpetrators of Domestic Violence 7. Support for Managers where both victims and perpetrator 14 are employees APPENDICES Appendix 1 – Forms of Abuse and Potential Indicators Appendix 2 – Good Practice Guidelines Appendix 3 – Proforma for Line Managers to aid discussions Appendix 4 – Helplines and Contact Information Page 3 of 23 DEFINITIONS Domestic Violence and Abuse The CCG applies the Domestic Abuse Bill statutory definition of domestic abuse as “Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality” Whilst the majority of abuse is perpetrated by men against women, domestic violence may also be carried out by women against men and within same sex relationships.
    [Show full text]
  • EXPLANATORY NOTES Domestic Abuse Act 2021
    EXPLANATORY NOTES Domestic Abuse Act 2021 Chapter 17 £12.65 DOMESTIC ABUSE ACT 2021 EXPLANATORY NOTES What these notes do These Explanatory Notes relate to the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 which received Royal Assent on 29 April 2021 (c. 17). • These Explanatory Notes have been provided by the Home Office, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in order to assist the reader in understanding of the Act. They do not form part of the Act and have not been endorsed by Parliament. • These Explanatory Notes explain what each part of the Act will mean in practice; provide background information on the development of policy; and provide additional information on how the Act will affect existing legislation in this area. • These Explanatory Notes might best be read alongside the Act. They are not, and are not intended to be, a comprehensive description of the Act. c. 17-EN Table of Contents Subject Page of these Notes Overview of the Act 5 Policy background 6 Civil protection orders 8 Local authority accommodation-based support 9 Special measures in criminal proceedings 9 Special measures in family proceedings 10 Cross-examination in family proceedings 11 Cross-examination and special measures in civil proceedings 12 The Istanbul Convention – extraterritorial jurisdiction 13 Polygraph testing 14 The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme 14 Secure tenancies 15 Legal background 16 Territorial extent and application 17 Commentary on provisions of Act 18 Part 1: Definition of “domestic abuse” 18 Section 1: Definition
    [Show full text]
  • Women, Homelessness and Violence: What Works? by Emma Bimpson, Hannah Green and Kesia Reeve July 2021
    July 2021 Women, homelessness and violence: what works? by Emma Bimpson, Hannah Green and Kesia Reeve July 2021 Women, homelessness About the Centre for Homelessness Impact and violence: The Centre for Homelessness Impact champions the creation and use of better evidence for a world without homelessness. what works? Our mission is to improve the lives of those experiencing homelessness by ensuring that policy, practice and funding by Emma Bimpson, Hannah Green and Kesia Reeve decisions are underpinned by reliable evidence. Centre for Homelessness Impact www.homelessnessimpact.org Produced in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University © CHI 2021 Crisis ISBN: 978-1-914132-05-6 Registered Charity Numbers: E&W1082947, SC040094. Company Number: 4024938 4 CENTRE FOR HOMELESSNESS IMPACT WOMEN, HOMELESSNESS AND VIOLENCE: WHAT WORKS? 5 About the Authors Summary Dr Kesia Reeve has been a dedicated housing researcher for over 20 A significant proportion of women experience violence, and statistics consistently show years. During this time she has delivered 50+ research projects funded that violence is perpetrated against women at much higher rates than against men. by: government departments; national charities; local authorities; Violence against women in the home has also increased significantly during the Covid public sector health bodies; and housing associations. Kesia’s research pandemic. There is a strong link between violence and homelessness amongst women, focuses on aspects of housing disadvantage, and marginalised making the Covid-related increase in violence even more concerning. For example, populations who are susceptible to housing deprivation. She has a national data show that 1 in 5 women who have experienced violence become homeless, particular interest in exploring and exposing the gendered nature of compared with just 1 per cent of women who have not experienced violence.
    [Show full text]
  • Review of Policing Domestic Abuse During the Pandemic: 2021
    Review of policing domestic abuse during the pandemic 2021 Contents Foreword 1 Summary of findings 3 Methodology 8 Our findings 9 The scale of domestic abuse in England and Wales during the pandemic 9 Crime recording 10 Domestic homicide 13 Demand was high for specialist domestic abuse support organisations 13 The police responded proactively to protect victims of domestic abuse 15 The police worked proactively to keep people safe 17 Investigations 21 Maintaining contact and support 21 Domestic abuse perpetrators 22 Police and partners made good use of technology 24 The police and partners innovated to support victims 29 Delays and backlogs in the criminal justice system are a very significant concern 30 The exceptionally low volume of domestic abuse cases resulting in a charge remains unacceptable 34 Annex A: Academic research 38 Annex B: Domestic Abuse Act 2021 43 Annex C: Definitions and interpretation 44 Annex D: About the data 49 Annex E: Domestic abuse reference group members 52 i Foreword This is the fifth in a series of thematic domestic abuse publications since our first report in March 2014, Everyone’s business: Improving the police response to domestic abuse. This review looks at how the police responded to the unique challenges the COVID-19 pandemic placed on preventing and responding to domestic abuse. The United Kingdom entered the first national lockdown on 23 March 2020. Most of us were instructed to stay at home. This meant many victims of domestic abuse couldn’t distance themselves from their abuser, safely contact the police for help or get support from family and friends.
    [Show full text]