THE WINSTON CHURCHILL MEMORIAL TRUST OF AUSTRALIA

Report by:

Fiona. C. Stevens

JACK BROCKHOFF CHURCHILL FELLOW 2002/2

To assess the aims, methods, success and problems of the Repeat Victimisation Task Force - UK

(specifically in the areas of Sexual Assault, Child Abuse and Domestic Violence)

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2)

INDEX 2-3

1.0 INTRODUCTION 4

2.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 5

2.1 Winston Churchill Trust of Australia 5 2.2 Jack Brockhoff Foundation 5 2.3 Fellowship Referees 5 2.4 Fellowship Co-ordinators 5

3.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 6

3.1 Personal Details 6 3.2 Significant Events 6 3.3 Key Issues 6 3.4 Implementation/Dissemination 6

4.0 PROJECT 7

4.1 Repeat Victimisation - What is it? 7 4.2 Repeat Victimisation - Why? 7-8

5.0 PROGRAM 9

5.1 Repeat Victimisation Task Force 9 5.1.1 Establishment 9 5.1.2 Purpose and Focus 9 5.1.3 Initial Aims and Action 10 5.1.4 Early Problems Identified 10 5.1.5 Progress and Legacy 10

5.2 United Kingdom (UK) Contacts 11-14

6.0 REPEAT VICTIMISATION 15

6.1 Identification - Advantages 15 6.2 Repeat Victimisation -Scotland 16 6.3 As a Performance Indicator 16-17 6.3.1 Advantages/Disadvantages 17-18

7.0 DATA 19

7.1 Collection Methods - UK 19 7.2 Specific Domestic Violence Data - Scotland 19

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 2

TRAINING AND EDUCATION 20

7.3 Preventing Repeat Victimisation - (UK) 20 Police Officer's Handbook

7.4 CENTREX (Centre for Developing Policing Excellence) (UK) 21 7.5 Interactive CD training 21 7.6 Prosecution and Criminal Justice staff 21-22

8.0 COURTS 23

8.1 Prosecution of Cases 23 8.1.1 Increasing Successful Prosecutions 23-24 9.1.1.1 Dedicated Domestic Violence Courts 24 9.1.1.2 Victim Support - Throughout Investigation Process 24-25 9.1.1.3 Data Presentation - Scotland 25 9.1.1.4 Obtaining Best evidence-Cognitive Interviewing Technique. 25

9.0 POLICE RESPONSES (UK) 26

9.1 Graded Responses 26 9.1.1 Dedicated Domestic Violence Officers 26 9.1.2 Application In Other Crime Areas 27 9.1.3 Domestic Violence - Victim Safety 27 10.1.3.1 Alarms 27 10.1.3.2 Risk Assessment Tool - victim focus 27-28

10.0 CONCLUSION 29

11.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 30

12.0 REFERENCES 31-32

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 3 1.0 INTRODUCTION

"Repeat victimisation impacts greatly on often the most vulnerable members of society and creates high costs for the community as a whole. It is however, an area with potential to intervene to prevent further harms."1

(C.Nixon Chief Commissioner of Police, Victoria, Australia)

Policing practices worldwide must be receptive to review and change if they are to remain effective and relevant. Our service must be aligned to our clients needs. Our clients being ordinary community members as well as victims of crime. Our charter is to protect them from harm, and certainly if harmed, from any further harm.

Increasing demands are being made on the time of the police officer. Increases in population, mobility, technology, diversification of crimes, internal and external accountability frameworks, training and costs, result in less time to devote to many areas of responsibility. Reactive and preventative priorities intensely compete.

Empirical policing evidence identifies certain people and locations in our communities are over-represented in crime figures. Academic studies are now also supportive of this. Now, more than ever, finite time and resources dictate we need to be "one step ahead" in policing. We need to police smarter. Intelligence led, targeted policing with a view to preventing crime, not just reacting to it, must be a priority.

Government, social agencies and police command must commit to strategies to enhance our ability to appropriately identify, respond to and prevent initial or further victimisation. These matters are emotive issues and our communities have expectations regarding the handling of them. If expectations are not addressed appropriately and repeat victimisation continues, vicarious liability becomes a serious and very real risk.

My Fellowship was to study the work of the Repeat Victimisation Task Force in the United Kingdom. The intention being to look at their aims, methods, successes and problems. To ensure manageability and relevance to my area of expertise and interest, I chose to look at their work specifically in the areas of Sexual Assault, Child Abuse and Domestic Violence. Throughout this process though, there was also ongoing consideration for transferability of good practice to the broader spectrum of crimes.

Administrative and operational areas were explored. Many interviews were conducted, documentation obtained , policy, procedures and strategies explored, and front line responses observed and undertaken. Attempting to condense the experiences eight weeks of travel, crammed with so many enlightening encounters into a readable report, results inevitably in enormous amounts of detail, and some projects, not being represented in this report. However the detail and lessons learnt and depth of experience will not be lost or wasted. Additional reports and presentations will follow. Now there is so much more to be done. This Fellowship is only a beginning!

1 Nixon.C. Chief Commissioner of Police Victoria - reference for Fiona Stevens re Winston Churchill Fellowship Application 2002

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 4 2.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am sincerely grateful to the following people and organisations.

2.1 The Winston Churchill Trust of Australia - for recommending my application for sponsorship and granting the Fellowship.

2.2 The Jack Brockhoff Foundation - for selecting my Fellowship application from so many exceptional applications, as one worthy of their sponsorship. Thank you for placing your trust in me personally to be your ambassador and affording me the honour of becoming the Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellow 2002/2.

2.3 Fellowship Referees:

Her Honour Judge SEXTON Judge of the County Court of Victoria Department of Justice, Victoria, Australia

Chief Commissioner of Police, Ms Christine NIXON Victoria Police Force HQ, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Assistant Commissioner Kieran WALSHE Region 4 Commander -Rosanna, Victoria Police Force, Australia

In absence of support and trust from my referees, the Fellowship process could not have commenced.

2.4 Fellowship program coordinators:

Sergeant Heather GAY - Metropolitan Police Force, London

Chief Inspector Ramzan MOHAYHUDDIN - Home Office, London.

Detective Constable Cris RYAN. - New Scotland Yard, London.

Detective Sergeant Robin TURTON - Lothian & Borders Police Force, Edinburgh.

Constable Hugh McKENZIE - Lothian & Borders Police Force, Edinburgh.

Constable John ROWSON - West Yorkshire Police, Leeds.

Constable Dave JOHNSON - Merseyside Police Force, Wirral.

Magistrate Graham BASKERVILLE - Wiltshire.

All gave freely of themselves for interviews, arranged appointments, introduced me to relevant contacts, assisted with provision of documentation, conveyed me to meetings, site visits and train stations, provided hospitality and graciously and patiently answered my many questions. They have made invaluable contributions to my research and have ensured whilst in their country my professional and personal experiences were maximised and remain truly unforgettable.

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 5 3.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

3.1 Personal Details

Name: Fiona STEVENS Occupation: Senior Constable, Victoria Police Force, Australia. Position: Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (S.O.C.A) Unit 58 Tallarook St., Seymour 3660 Victoria, Australia.

Ph.03 57921211 email:[email protected]

3.2 Significant Events:

Learning from the members responsible for two leading domestic violence models acknowledged world wide. At Killingbeck, West Yorkshire Police, Leeds with Constable John ROWSON and, Merseyside Police, Wirral with Detective Constable Dave JOHNSON.

Working with Chief Inspector Ramzan MOHAYHUDDIN, Police Standards Unit, Home Office who is currently the driving force behind their national repeat victimisation strategy. Shadowing him to meetings with high-ranking officials who are stakeholders and currently in consultation regarding the recently released white paper on domestic violence.

Meeting with Dame Elizabeth NEVILLE Chief Constable of Wiltshire Constabulary and seeing Wiltshire’s advanced initiatives in domestic violence partnerships, as well as many other innovative general policing practices.

3.3 Key Issues:

- Repeat victimisation is an under-utilised resource for crime prevention in Australia. - Repeat victimisation needs to be acknowledged and quantified by introducing relevance and standardisation in data collection. - Police responses to repeat victims of crime need to be relevant, effective and graded and built in to performance measures. - There is a distinct lack of awareness and training for police, legal practitioners and the judiciary around the complexity of assaults where the offender and victim are from within the same family or known to each other.

3.4 Implementation / Dissemination

This and subsequent reports with specific focus will be forwarded to agencies and personnel where it is directly relevant. Future presentations will be arranged. The Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police has given an undertaking to assist me to communicate my findings and recommendations internally and to other policing and social agencies. I anticipate ongoing involvement and input with the development of strategies to enhance our ability to identify, appropriately respond to, and prevent repeat victimisation.

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 6

4.0 PROJECT

4.1 Repeat Victimisation - What is it?

What initially might appear to be a fairly simple question has been the subject of great debate in the United Kingdom over the last two decades. When the Repeat Victimisation Task Force was initially established the first major problem it encountered was the definition and criteria. This resulted in the Task Force intentionally leaving the individual police forces to devise their own understanding and definition to work with believing it needed to be manageable and relevant at local level.

The Home Office uses the following definition.

"Repeat victimisation occurs when the same person or place suffers from more than one incident over a specified period of time."2

It is intentionally a broad definition, which allows for local analysis of crime problems.

4.2 Repeat Victimisation - Why?

In my operational area of sexual assault, child abuse and domestic violence, I found families re-attending as further victims of crime. Through experience and liaison with similarly tasked practitioners, I identified repeat victimisation as a significant issue.

Two relevant examples are: a) A young girl first presented as a victim of sexual assault aged 9 years. The offender on this occasion was a 15-year-old male family friend who was intellectually disabled.

Ten months later she re-presented as a victim of sexual assault. The offender this time was an adult male who had befriended the family. He was an active paedophile who also on this occasion offended against her siblings and friends.

Ten months later she re-presented as a victim of sexual assault. The offender was the grandfather of her school friend who was also a victim to the grandfather.

b) A married woman and mother of a 15-year-old child, presented with severe facial injuries as a result of her current partner repeatedly smashing her face with his arm fitted with a plaster cast.

The offender had 16 interim or full Intervention Orders (violence orders) taken out against him. He had extensive history for violence and crime. Police had been involved on numerous occasions.

2 Home Office Research Group Briefing note - Repeat victimisation update. (2000)

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 7 Cases like these are complex. Many external support service providers were also involved with these clients. These examples and many more like them created curiosity as to how other police forces handled their repeat victims.

It concerned me that in spite of increased government services, funding and partial recognition of the complexity, perplexing as it is, the pattern continues.

“Repeat Victimisation” is a term only very recently included in the policing terminology in Australia. When raised, it generates anecdotal examples, but with confused and conflicting levels of understanding, criteria, and applied definitions. There is overwhelming acknowledgment that repeat incidents and attendances are extremely frustrating, time consuming, costly, and take up a considerable amount of valuable policing time. Strangely as conversations continued they inappropriately shifted in focus away from repeat victims to repeat offenders.

My Fellowship was to look at strategies from a repeat victim's perspective as opposed from that of the repeat offender, acknowledging of course that the two are intertwined.

The trauma to all is also acknowledged.

Responsibility to identify, reduce, resolve and prevent, incidents of repeat victimisation doesn’t lie just with police. The community shares the causes, effects, responses, solutions and costs. Police can however be a lead agency.

Priority is to quantify the issue, create awareness, acknowledgment, educate, and learn from others who have already advanced in these areas.

Interest and persistence led me to identify the Repeat Victimisation Task Force set up in the United Kingdom in 1995. The very creation of such a task force and their work indicated an obvious advancement in this area. This became the focus of my attention and eventually the subject of my Fellowship application.

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 8 5.0 PROGRAM

5.1 Repeat Victimisation Task Force-UK

As early as the 1980's, the Home Office supported research and development on the prevention of repeat victimisation. They have been, and continue to be world leaders in this field.

Directly resulting from conferences held in the United Kingdom in the 1990's on the subject , a specific task force was set up in 1995, initially to operate within the Police Research Group of the Home Office.

5.1.1 Establishment

At first The Repeat Victimisation Task Force comprised of two people; Ms Louise HOBBS, recruited from the Health Service with prior experience in areas of Probation, Services for abused women and Safer Cities projects; the second, Mr Alan EDMUND an Inspector with the Metropolitan Police who had 26 years service in both uniform and CID as well as being Community Liaison Officer for the London borough of Waltham Forrest.

The Repeat Victimisation Task Force was to operate in this format, for one year. Later the Task Force format changed with additional positions being established for Repeat Victimisation Liaison Officers in every one of the 43 Police Forces of England and Wales.

Liaison Officers were tasked to steer force policy, increase the awareness of the subject and disseminate research results as appropriate. Their role complimented that of the lead Task Force members. They proved to be an excellent network across the country. Meetings were held between the Task Force and Liaison Officers on a regular basis. Information sharing enabled important feedback on progress, any implementation problems, such as the definition of repeat victimisation, and guidance.

5.1.2 Purpose and Focus

The initial purpose of the Repeat Victimisation Task Force was to "coordinate and support police forces and other relevant agencies in tackling repeat victimisation."3

The Focus of the Task Force was : - To increase understanding of how tackling repeat victimisation can help reduce crime; - To coordinate innovatory work going on in police forces; - To identify and disseminate good practice; - To work with national training establishments to incorporate the issue of repeat victimisation into training programs; - To work with the police and Home Office to develop an appropriate performance indicator.4

3 FOCUS No. 6 Sept. (1995). Page 59. Repeat Victimisation Task Force. Police Research group. 4 Op. Cit. Page 59.

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 9 5.1.3 Initial Aims and Action.

The Task Force initially aimed to identify existing good practice, clarify existing responses and establish the current level of awareness of repeat victimisation. This was done in a number of ways both directly by the Task Force and also through their Liaison Officers. After establishment of the Liaison Officers, there was planned awareness promotion both within all 43 United Kingdom police forces and externally with other stakeholders.

5.1.4 Early Problems identified

Early on the Repeat Victimisation Task Force identified problems the police forces in the UK were having identifying repeat victims. Issues identified were:

- Definitions/criteria - Varying levels of subject awareness. - Varying, or non-existent methodology to gather data. - Interpretation, and operational application of the data - Varying levels of interest and priority shown.

5.1.5 Progress and Legacy

Since the initial work done by the Repeat Victimisation Task Force it, its work, and the subject of repeat victimisation, have continued to be the subject of many excellent reports, strategies and evaluations overseen by the Home Office.

One such report is "RV Snapshot: UK policing and repeat victimisation"5

This report provides a "snapshot" of repeat victimisation activity as at May 1999 by the Home Office, and considers the extent to which the performance regime contributed to the development of various police force's activity on repeat victimisation.

It concludes, "… that the degree and speed of progress made suggests that the impact of the performance regime was considerable. By May 1999, all Police Forces in England and Wales claimed to have strategies in place to address repeat victimisation and it is unlikely that this universal response would have resulted from the diffuse process of dissemination."

However, in the conclusion even though acknowledging impressive progress made by police forces in this area, it states further work and support is required. It continues, that the Home Office "needs to give further attention to an outcome measure as part of the performance regime."6

5. Repeat Victimisation Snapshot: UK policing and repeat victimisation (2000) Crime Reduction Research Series Paper 5. Farrell.G, Edmunds.A, Hobbs.L, Laycock.G 6 Op. Cit. R/V snapshot Page (vii)

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 10 5.2 United Kingdom (UK) - Contacts

Program content listed here highlights the diversity and breadth of research. My program comprised of interviews and site visits with the following people and organisations.

Many kindly continue to form part of my established international professional network.

LONDON - UK (contact made while in London)

Richard WALTON Detective Chief Inspector Project Sapphire, Territorial Policing Headquarters Victoria Embankment, LONDON

Heather GAY Sergeant Project Sapphire, Territorial Policing Headquarters, Victoria Embankment, LONDON

Operational members - Sapphire Task Force Metropolitan Police Service, - Greenwich & Territorial Policing Headquarters.

Susan MEDLEY Sexual Offences Forensic Development Manager Project Sapphire, Forensic Command Unit, Holly Field Rd., SURBITON

Cris RYAN Detective Constable Metropolitan Police Service, Community Safety Unit (CSU) Liaison Officer, DCC4 (3) CSU Team, New Scotland Yard, LONDON

Jim BLAIR Detective Sergeant Metropolitan Police Service, Diversity Directorate, New Scotland Yard, LONDON

Andrew D.GRANT, Detective Constable, Metropolitan Police Service, Diversity Directorate, Family Liaison Co-ordinator, New Scotland Yard, LONDON

Jo EDWARDS Detective Inspector Metropolitan Police Service, Community Safety Unit (CSU), Paddington Green Police Station, LONDON

Andy MOUNTFIELD Detective Sergeant Metropolitan Police Service, Serious Crime Group Child Protection OCU Westminster Child Protection Unit, Paddington Green Police Station, LONDON

Ramzan MOHAYUDDIN LLB Chief Inspector , Policing and Crime Reduction Group, Police Standards Unit, Home Office, LONDON

John BEARCHELL Detective Superintendent BSc (Hons) PGCE MSc MA LL.M Policing and Crime Reduction Group, Police Standards Unit, Home Office, LONDON

Chris SEWARD Policing and Crime Reduction Group, Police Standards Unit, Home Office, LONDON

Richard WORTH International Police Benchmarking, Policing and Crime Reduction Group, Police Standards Unit, Home Office, LONDON

Jim GAMBLE Assistant Chief Constable, National Crime Squads, LONDON

Lesley WARRENDER MA Chief Inspector Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), Domestic Violence Thematic Inspection Team Home Office LONDON

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 11

Ralph COPLEY BSc (Hons) Chief Inspector Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), Domestic Violence Thematic Inspection, Team Home Office, LONDON

Kay BALSDON MA Inspector Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), Domestic Violence Thematic Inspection Team, Home Office, LONDON

Howard L.COHEN BA (Hons) Assistant Chief Crown Prosecutor Crown Prosecution Service, STRATFORD

Dr. Kate PARADINE LLB, PhD CENTREX -National Crime & Operations Faculty, Crime and Disorder Reduction Team, Bramshill, Hook, HAMPSHIRE,

Jo WILKINSON CENTREX- National Crime & Operations Faculty Crime and Disorder Reduction Team, Bramshill, Hook, HAMPSHIRE

Steve MORRIS Detective Sergeant Wirral Family Support Unit, Merseyside Police, WIRRAL

Bob TAYLOR Partnership Manager Community Safety Unit (CSU), Suffolk Constabulary, IPSWICH

Adrian LILLEY Constable City of London Police, Snow Hill Police Station, Holborn, LONDON

Ray STOCKINGER Snow Hill Police Station 5 Snow Hill Rd., LONDON

Staff and members, City of London Police, Snow Hill Police Station, LONDON

EDINBURGH - SCOTLAND

Willie MANSON Detective Chief Inspector CID Specialist operations, 'A' Division, Lothian and Borders Police, St. Leonard's Police Station, EDINBURGH

Peter AVENT Detective Inspector CID Specialist Operations, 'A' Division, Lothian and Borders Police, St. Leonard’s Police Station, EDINBURGH

Robin TURTON Detective Sergeant CID Specialist Operations,’ A' Division, Family Protection Unit, Lothian and Borders Police, St. Leonard’s, EDINBURGH.

Operational members - CID Specialist Operations, 'A' Division, Family Protection Unit Lothian and Borders Police, St Leonard’s Police Station, EDINBURGH

Hugh McKENZIE Police Constable, Scottish Parliament Unit, 'A' Division, Lothian & Borders Police, Scottish Parliament HQ, George IV Bridge, EDINBURGH

Gordon HUNTER Inspector Community Safety Branch, Lothian and Borders Police, Police HQ, EDINBURGH

Dr Kranti HIREMATH MBBS DROG FFP DipFM Forensic Medical Examiner, Forensic Medical Examiner Service, Lothian Primary Care NHS Trust, EDINBURGH

Jim TOBIN Detective Constable CID Specialist Operations, 'A' Division, Sex Offender Assessment Unit, Lothian and Borders Police, St. Leonard's, EDINBURGH

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 12

Alistair McGREGOR Detective Constable CID Specialist Operations,’ A' Division, Sex Offenders Assessment Unit, Lothian & Borders Police, St. Leonard's, EDINBURGH

Richard LYON Sexual Offender Liaison Officer, City of Edinburgh Social Work Department, Shrub hill House, EDINBURGH

Tracy ROBERTS Police Constable CID Specialist Operations, 'A' Division, Domestic Abuse Liaison Office, Lothian & Borders Police, St.Leonard’s, EDINBURGH

Duncan RENNER Police Constable CID Specialist Operations, 'A' Division, Domestic Abuse Liaison Office, Lothian & Borders Police, EDINBURGH

Willie URE Divisional Intelligence Analyst, Divisional Intelligence Unit, 'A' Division, Lothian & Borders Police, St. Leonard’s Police Station, EDINBURGH

Susan KNOX Head of Victims Branch, Criminal Justice Department, Scottish Executive, EDINBURGH

Wilma SMITH Policy Officer - Child Witness Support Criminal Justice Department, Scottish Executive, EDINBURGH

Lesley NAPIER Vulnerable Witnesses Bill - Team Leader, Criminal Justice Department, Scottish Executive, EDINBURGH

Lorna BELFALL Violence Against Women Unit, Justice Department, Scottish Executive, EDINBURGH

Alyson FORBES Senior Principal Crown Office & Prosecutor Fiscal Service, Prosecutor Fiscal's Office, Solemn Unit, EDINBURGH

Rory McCRAE Senior Development Officer & Domestic Violence Probation Officer, Social Work Department HQ, Shrub hill House, EDINBURGH

Rona FRASER Practice Team Manager Central Criminal Justice Services, EDINBURGH

Carol ORR Resettlement Team, Homeless Offender Social Worker Department Central Criminal Justice Services, EDINBURGH

LEEDS - UK

Elizabeth PREECE Chief Superintendent Divisional Commander West Yorkshire Police, Killingbeck Police Division, LEEDS

Duncan McNAY Patrol Inspector Killingbeck Division, West Yorkshire Police, Killingbeck Police Division, LEEDS

John ROWSON Constable Domestic Violence Co-ordinator, West Yorkshire Police, Killingbeck Police Division, LEEDS

R. MILNE Detective Inspector Crime Investgation, Killingbeck CIU Division, West Yorkshire Police, LEEDS

Steve CROFT Detective Inspector Crime Investigation, Killingbeck CIU Division, West Yorkshire Police, LEEDS

John Peter JACKSON Detective Constable West Yorkshire Police, Killingbeck CID, Killingbeck Division, LEEDS

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 13 Julian PARKER Detective Sergeant West Yorkshire Police, Killingbeck CID, Killingbeck Division, LEEDS

Jill LATHAM Sergeant Force Vulnerable Victim Co-ordinator, Community Safety, West Yorkshire Police, WAKEFIELD

Simon BROOKSPANK Sergeant Area Control Room, West Yorkshire Police, Killingbeck Division, LEEDS

Julie HAY Constable Youth Officer, West Yorkshire Police, Killingbeck Division, LEEDS

Case Builders - Criminal Justice Support Group, Killingbeck Police Station, LEEDS

Nik PEASGOOD MS Manager HALT- Domestic Violence Help, Advice and the Law Team, LEEDS

MERSEYSIDE - UK

Dave JOHNSON Detective Constable Wirral Domestic Violence Unit, Merseyside Police, Bebbington, WIRRAL

Alan SHAWCROSS Constable Crime Management Unit, Merseyside Police, Birkenhead, WIRRAL

Steve KELLY Sergeant Vulnerable Persons Liaison Officer, Merseyside Police, WIRRAL

WILTSHIRE - UK

Dame Elizabeth NEVILLE Chief Constable Wiltshire Constabulary, Police Headquarters, Devizes WILTSHIRE

Glynn HOOKING Inspector Joint Emergency Control Centre, Wiltshire Constabulary HQ, Devizes, WILTSHIRE

Tim CARNOHAN Detective Constable Child Protection Unit, Wiltshire Police Constabulary, Melksham, WILTSHIRE

Vicki HOWICK Domestic Violence Liaison Officer Wiltshire Constabulary, Divisional Police HQ. Melksham, WILTSHIRE

Pete SPARROW Sergeant Wiltshire Constabulary, Vulnerable Adults Unit, Divisional Police HQ, Melksham, WILTSHIRE

Malcolm A.CHARLTON, IT Development and Project Manager Wiltshire Constabulary, Divisional Police HQ, Devizes, WILTSHIRE

Court Staff - Magistrates Court, Trowbridge, WILTSHIRE

Graham BASKERVILLE (& Mrs Jackie BASKERVILLE) Magistrate, and member of Police Authority , WILTSHIRE

Jerry DIX (& Mrs Sue DIX) Box, WILTSHIRE

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 14 6.0 REPEAT VICTIMISATION

6.1 Identification - Advantages

There are now many documents highlighting the advantages of knowing when and where repeat crimes are being committed, what type of crime is repeatedly occurring, who is repeatedly a target, and who are repeat offenders. Invaluable data like this is obtainable by addressing repeat victimisation.

Within police forces this knowledge and subsequent appropriately tailored responses are now referred to as evidenced based policing and intelligence-led targeted policing. With finite resources and budgets this knowledge and practice is crucial not only to greatly assist management, but also resulting in improved effectiveness and efficiency for operational performance.

An excellent article provided to me on this subject is one from the Home Office Police Research Group. It expands on this. The briefing note is called "Preventing Repeat Victimisation: a report on progress in Huddersfield ".7 This report speaks on the world leading , well known and quoted Huddersfield model. It operates in West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, and is for dealing primarily with repeat burglary and theft of motorcars. It also outlines their definition and application of a graded police response, which is discussed in more detail later in this report.

The Huddersfield report referred to above clearly outlines the advantages of preventing repeat victimisation as a crime control strategy.

It states: "Knowing when and where crime will occur is the most powerful aid to its prevention. Concentrating on those who are already victims of crime is one way to deploy effort on high-risk people and places. The following assertions about repeat victimisation can be made with reasonable confidence:

- Crime victimisation is a good predictor of subsequent crime victimisation; - The more prior victimisation, the higher the likelihood of future victimisation; - Certain areas have high crimes rates not because more people are victimised, but because there is more victimisation of the same people; - If victimisation recurs, it tends to recur quickly; - The same perpetrators seem to be responsible for the bulk of repeated offences against a victim; - A variety of factors, from police shift patterns to information systems, mask the true contribution of repeat victimisation to the crime problem."

Even though obvious advances were made, the report identified problems with the implementation and made recommendations. This strategy has been revisited several times, improved upon and continues to be a living process. Results have shown advantages clearly out weigh any disadvantages.

7 Anderson.D Chenery.S Pearse. K _Preventing repeat victimisation- a report on progress in Huddersfield.

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 15 6.2 Repeat victimisation-Scotland.

Research on repeat victimisation in Scotland was commissioned by the Criminology Branch of the Scottish Executive Central Research Unit. The resulting March 2000 report "Preventing Repeat Victimisation in Scotland: some examples of good practice"8 is excellent. The report outlined findings and the results of the Scottish Crime Survey.

This report is one of the few I found dealing with repeat victimisation in a cross section of crimes. The vast majority on the subject of repeat victimisation concentrate on domestic violence. This one mentioned repeated property victimisation, repeated crime against the person, housebreaking, and theft of motor cars.

The summary stated " Scottish Crime Survey (SCS) data show the familiar repeat victimisation phenomena; crime being disproportionably suffered by repeat victims; increasing probability of becoming a victim again as the number of prior victimisation increase; and the concentration of repeat victims in areas of highest crime."9 The report clearly highlighted the advantages of analysing repeat victimisation.

6.3 As a Performance Indicator.

Chief Inspector Ramzan MOHAYUDDIN LLB of the Policing and Crime Reduction Group, Police Standards Unit, Home Office, London currently holds responsibility for this portfolio. I was privileged to spend time with him during which I observed his dedication, knowledge and commitment to this issue.

The Police Standards Unit currently promotes the establishment of an appropriate performance indicator. I accompanied Chief Inspector MOHAYUDDIN to several meetings where this issue was relevant and being discussed.

One such meeting was with Assistant Chief Constable Jim GAMBLE from the National Crime Squad who had been allocated the portfolio of Domestic Violence.

Assistant Chief Constable GAMBLE has commissioned the National Centre of Policing Excellence to produce:

- Guidelines for the attendance and investigation of Domestic Violence incidents. - Guidelines on the identification of Risk Factors. - Guidelines on Police perpetrators.

It is anticipated all these documents will be disseminated to all police forces in England and Wales by April 2004.

The Home Office Police Standards Unit continue to work closely with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and other stakeholders on these issues.

8 Shaw, M Pease,K Preventing Repeat Victimisation in Scotland-examples of good practise. (March 2000) 9 Op. Cit. (Page 9)

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 16

When I left England in September 2003 consultation was still taking place and had not been finalised. Importantly, I remain in contact with Chief Inspector MOHAYHUDDIN monitoring the progress.

Victoria Police does not currently have any requirement in their performance measures specifically addressing repeat victimisation in any sector of crime. The process of reporting monthly on key crimes may permit structuring in such an inclusion.

Prior to any future performance measure inclusion, data collection would need revisiting. Currently data collection methodology in the Victoria Police and in fact for most of Australia, in the area of repeat victimisation is clumsy, ad hoc and in most cases non existent.

6.3.1 Advantages/Disadvantages

This topic was raised throughout my Fellowship time in the UK. Some investigators and managers had concerns as to how and what criteria would be set, if local issues were going to be appropriately considered and how Command would interpret application of the performance indicator. Furthermore, by the very nature of the repetitive expectation, would repeats be seen as a failure to meet the performance indicator expectations? Importantly the Police Standards Unit is aware of concerns as they continue to formulate recommendations.

An interesting article on this subject was provided. The article is "Thinking About Crime Prevention Performance Indicators. -Police Research Group"10 Firstly and importantly, it acknowledges the many problems with trying to devise any crime prevention performance indicator. It speaks on the subject in relation to the UK and for all crimes, including, but not restricted to, domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault.

The report then lists a number of advantages for repeat victimisation to form the basis for a national performance indicator. They are:

- There is growing literature, which identifies higher risks of victimisation for those who have already suffered a crime and the scope there is for reducing rates of re-victimisation.

- The police have already been encouraged in various ways to attend to repeat victimisation.

- A focus on repeats would encourage concentration of crime prevention efforts on high crime areas since it is here that repeats are found to occur at their highest rate.

10 Tilley.K (ed) Thinking about crime Prevention Performance Indicators- Police Research Group. Crime Prevention and Detection Series paper No. 57

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 17 - A Performance Indicator focused on reductions in the rate of repeat victimisation would measure an "outcome", rather than "output", that is of effectiveness as opposed to volume of effort.

- Repeat Victimisation appears to have fewer problems and more advantages than other contenders either currently used or contemplated.11

At the time of writing this report, I was advised this discussion is still on going.

Whatever solution found must be achievable.

11 Op. Cit. Page 1. Thinking about Crime Prevention Performance Indicators.

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 18

7.0 DATA

7.1 Collection Methods - UK

The recently introduced National Crime Recording Standard (April 2003)12 has brought standardisation to the methodology of recording crimes throughout the UK.

The aims are:

- To promote greater consistency between police forces in the recording of crime. - To take a more victim oriented approach to crime recording.

This process and recent review will increase the overall standard and relevance of crime statistics, and in time, enable more appropriate interpretation for both operational requirements and prevention strategies.

During the review of data collection and overall standardisation of the Reporting of Crime in the UK, the opportunity was taken to include collection of data specifically for the purpose of identifying repeat victims of crimes. However it was acknowledged by practitioners that some police force software packages are currently not suited to maximise appropriate retrieval and interpretation of repeat victimisation data.

Currently Victoria Police does not have similar identification and inclusion enabling this type of data to be easily identified, easily recalled, or interpreted for operational application.

Australia does not have standardisation for the recording of crime.

7.2 Specific Domestic Violence Data - Scotland

In Scotland, the Scottish Office Home Department: Criminal Justice Statistics Unit guidelines, mentions in its Statistical Information on Domestic Violence document, their status on this.

It states, in Section 9 - Number of previous incidents recorded involving same victim.

-" This information is not available across all forces but should be included if available. It is agreed that it is important to record the level of repeat victimisation, as this information must be important in the formulation of support and preventative strategies. Wherever possible, forces should provide the number of occasions the victim has previously reported incidents to the police. If a force is aware that there have been previous incidents involving the same victim but can not give the number of such incidents, a “Y” should be entered in this column.”13

12 ACPO National Crime Recording Standard (2003) 13 Scottish Home Dept.: Criminal Justice Statistics Unit. Statistical Information on Domestic Violence. Guidance for completion of return.(2002)

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 19 8.0 TRAINING AND EDUCATION

As previously mentioned, to remain effective and relevant, professional responses need to be reflective of the service to be provided, and aligned to the needs of those the service is being provided to. Training needs to be on going with monitoring and inclusion of international best practise. National and international networking and sharing ideas is essential for state of the art service. Importantly this knowledge must translate into operational responses, not become a data bank without application.

During my Fellowship I became aware of good practice in the area of education, up- skilling and training that do not current exist within the Victoria Police Force.

8.1 Preventing Repeat Victimisation - Police Officer's handbook. (UK)

In 1997 members of the Police Research Group, Home Office, London produced a guidebook for police officers regarding repeat victimisation. "Preventing Repeat Victimisation: the police officers guide"14

This handbook addresses the whole spectrum of crime, not just those selected primarily for this research. Some examples of content are:

- "What is repeat victimisation?" Explains the basic principles of repeat victimisation, why it is important to take note of, and how this can help the police to reduce crime.

- "How do you identify it?" Presents guidance on identifying levels of repeat victimisation.

- "Where do you start?: Develop a strategy." Provides guidance on setting the organisational framework for addressing repeat victimisation.

- "How can you help victims? : practical steps" Suggests ways to develop a response to victims.

- "How do you follow through? : managing the work" Pointers on how to keep the work going.

- "Has it worked? : assessing what you have done" Suggests ways to evaluate the impact of work, taking into account the difficulties of using incomplete information.

I was provided with a copy of this document. I was unable to establish the operational application, but anecdotal evidence indicated varying knowledge and use of the document, with an overall underlying approval of the concept. It is a concise, informative and simple to read document worth consideration.

Victoria Police does not have any similar guide for members.

14 Hobbs, L. Bridgeman,C (1997) Preventing repeat victimisation- the officers' guide.

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 20

8.2 CENTREX (Centre For Developing Police Excellence) (UK)

CENTREX is the national research and training body for the United Kingdom Police Forces. It is situated at Bramshill, Hook, and Hampshire and is known as the Centre For Developing Policing Excellence.

Unfortunately whilst in England I was not able to attend at the Bramshill National Crime and Operations Faculty. I was very fortunate however to meet some of its people from the Crime and Disorder Reduction Team at meetings in London. Ms Jo WILKINSON and Dr. Kate PARADINE were presenting at consultative meetings for the recently released government white paper on domestic violence. Discussion was also around the resulting paper "Safety and Justice.- The Governments Proposals on Domestic Violence."15

8.3 Interactive CD training.

Chief Inspector Ramzan MOHAYUDDIN from the Police Standards Unit, in conjunction with Ms Jo WILKINSON of CENTREX, facilitated the provision of two current training CD's compiled by CENTREX in relation to Domestic Violence. One CD titled "Policing Responses to domestic violence"16 contains large amounts of useful information such as policy, practice and research data. The second CD titled "Policing responses to domestic violence- e-learning material March 2003"17 also contains information but with an interactive training component included.

Both CD's are extremely informative, easy to understand and operate. The nature of delivery enables individuals to operate at their own knowledge level. The CD process avails them the opportunity to answer, participate, and complete the learning component without concerns of peer scrutiny or influence. The subject matter is favoured in this format. It can sometimes be seen to be sensitive, personal and emotive in nature. The CD format enables more intense delivery of this training on a one to one, and in private, as opposed to more traditional group presentation.

Fortuitously I met with Assistant Commissioner Paul EVANS from Victoria Police while I was in London. Assistant Commissioner EVANS holds responsibility for overseeing all training and training facilities for Victoria Police. I discussed having a similar training concept as the CENTREX interactive CD and was advised it was achievable.

Currently Victoria Police does not present similar training or information in this format.

8.4 Prosecution and Criminal Justice Staff

It was generally acknowledged by many people throughout my Fellowship that it would be beneficial to have members of the judiciary and prosecutions up skilled in

15 Safety and Justice- Govt. proposals on domestic violence. 16 CENTREX - Developing Policing Excellence. Policing responses to domestic violence (June 2003) 17 CENTREX- Developing Policing Excellence. E-learning material. (March 2003)

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 21 the area of victimology. Investigators and like-minded practitioners spoke of a desire for awareness training for all those dealing with the victims in the judicial system.

Some very positive awareness work continues on this subject in Wiltshire. As recently as the 9th of December 2003 a joint protocol between the Wiltshire Crown Prosecution Service and the Wiltshire Constabulary was publicly launched.

Their press release stated, "This has been developed to formalise and standardise Police/CPS procedures in cases that proceed to prosecution and will ensure the efficient and effective prosecutions of cases of this nature." 18 It continued " The Crown Prosecution Service considers domestic violence to be an aggravating feature in a case because it amounts to a fundamental breach of trust and because of the terrible effects such violence has on women and children"19

In the same press release the Temporary Chief Crown Prosecutor for Wiltshire Crown Prosecution Service stated, "We are determined to show that domestic violence is unacceptable and that it will be prosecuted robustly and effectively. This protocol will provide a solid framework to guide the prosecution team of police investigators and the Crown Prosecution Services prosecutors to bring the perpetrators to justice, and to protect the victims. It will also compliment the provisions of the Wiltshire Action Plan for 'Narrowing the Justice Gap' in which Domestic Violence is a key priority."20

The very existence of such a protocol acknowledges and creates awareness of the uniqueness and complexity of domestic violence. Furthermore it highlights the importance of the judicial process being aware of this.

The office of Public Prosecution and the Victoria Police do not currently have any similar protocol. The Office of Public Prosecution in Victoria does not differentiate in any way between an assault by a stranger to that by a relative. Currently here, their approach to both is identical.

18 Wiltshire CPS & Constabulary press release: Domestic Violence Protocol (Dec. 2003) 19 Op Cit. Page 2. Domestic Violence Protocol. 20 Op. Cit. Page 2. Domestic Violence Protocol..

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 22 9.0 COURTS

9.1 Prosecution of Cases

England and Wales has a public prosecution service called the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). In charge of this service is the Director of Public Prosecutions. The service answers to Parliament through the Attorney General.

The Crown Prosecution Service is a national organisation consisting of 42 areas. A Chief Crown Prosecutor heads each area, which is geographically aligned to a single police force. There is one position designated for the area of London.

The Crown Prosecution Service was first set up in 1986 with the purpose of prosecuting cases instituted by the police. It is important to note however, the police are still responsible for the investigation of crime. The Police and the Crown Prosecution Service obviously work closely, however, the Crown Prosecution Service is independent of the Police.

This process is slightly different to that of Victoria, Australia. In Victoria, matters to be dealt with in the lower courts are authorised and prosecuted by internal police processes and our own Prosecution Officers. If matters are to be dealt with in the higher courts they are then handled by the Office of Public Prosecutions which then takes on a similar role to that of the English Crown Prosecution Service.

English Crown Prosecutors have guidance for prosecutions through their Code for Crown Prosecutors.21 This document uses two tests for all prosecutions. Firstly the “evidential test” and secondly the “public interest “ test. Increasingly in the UK the application of the public interest test comes is considered for prosecution of domestic violence cases when victims change their minds and wish to withdraw from prosecution. In Australia such a withdrawal is not as robustly contested.

9.1.1 Increasing Successful Prosecutions

A detailed insight into the philosophy of prosecutions for matters of domestic violence can be found in the Crown Prosecution Service document titled "Policy for Prosecuting Cases of Domestic Violence".22 I found this to be an excellent document.

This document identifies the seriousness and the complexities of domestic violence cases and subsequent prosecutions. It acknowledges issues around reporting barriers, evidence gathering, the court process, training requirements, co-ordinated roles for those within the criminal justice system, and those who can support victims through the process.

The very existence of this quality document is yet again another indicator of the advances being made in the United Kingdom in this area. The Office of Public Prosecutions, Victoria, does not have any such dedicated document.

21 Code for Crown Prosecutors-UK 22 Crown Prosecution Service- Policy for Prosecuting Cases of Domestic Violence.

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 23 Investigators advised me the system we currently have in Australia is the "old" way things were done in England. They stated they prefer their current system. In Killingbeck I was advised a Crown Prosecutor now works within the Killingbeck Police Station Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm. Investigators see this as a major advancement. Practitioners interviewed in Killingbeck felt this process had facilitated improved understanding of respective investigative and prosecutional issues.

Furthermore it had resulted in increased authorisation for prosecutions, ensured a higher standard of evidence being put before the courts and resulting in an increased conviction rate.

9.1.1.1 Dedicated Domestic Violence Courts.

Domestic Violence Unit members in Leeds and Wiltshire attend dedicated domestic violence courts. The courts exist in the format of an allocated day exclusively for domestic violence matters.

Practitioners’ opinions varied on the value and efficiency of dedicated domestic violence courts when discussing the logistical, operational handling of cases and adjournments.

However anecdotal evidence from both regions clearly indicated their very existence was a positive influence on a victim’s commitment to seeing a complaint through to the court process.

Both regions stated their statistics showed an increase in complaints being followed through on and attributed a great deal of this to the existence of the dedicated domestic violence court in conjunction with intense victim support from the time of notification, to and through the court process.

9.1.1.2 Victim support - throughout investigation process.

Police investigators and external stakeholders interviewed were all adamant the support of victims needed to be structured and ongoing to ensure successful investigations, prosecutions and assist recovery. They saw supportive involvement from the initial reporting, and then ongoing support throughout the whole legal process until conclusion, imperative for successful prosecutions.

It was acknowledged the intensity, type and frequency of support required will vary depending on the individual circumstances. Support for victims within the legal system was not seen as a role for police in isolation. The focus was placed on the police maintaining some level of involvement beyond the initial response and initial investigation.

This objective was for all victims of crime, but highlighted through this research in particular, was for victims of more personal crimes such as sexual assault, physical assault and domestic violence.

Anecdotal evidence is now supported by statistics in highlighting the fact complaint withdrawals had been greatly reduced when the appropriate and continued support

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 24 was given throughout the process. In addition, if a victim did wish to withdraw her complaint a specialist response was initiated to thoroughly investigate the reason why. This follow up was deemed invaluable. Often when the reason for withdrawal was established, it could be dealt with, and prosecution would still continue.

Furthermore importantly statistics showed when more complaints successfully proceeded through to court, there was an increase in court appearances by the victim resulting in a marked increase in defendant's pleading guilty.

There was also a major increase in the victim's satisfaction with the system.

9.1.1.3 Data Presentation - Scotland.

Within the Lothian and Borders Police at St.Leonard’s, Edinburgh, Scotland, there are Divisional Intelligence Analysts (A Division). Civilians hold these analytical positions. In Victoria Police, sworn serving members hold the equivalent positions with a few civilians taking up some positions in more recent times.

Presentation and simplification of otherwise very complex, bulky data is prepared by the analysts. The program used is “i2 Program.- Investigative analysis software."

Demonstrations highlighted to me the fact this program is simple to master and has many diverse applications for investigators. It has capacity to set out relationships, evidence, time frames, similar facts and other unlimited data, in a simple to read and comprehensive format.

It is an excellent resource. Advantages for managers, victims, investigators, prosecutors and juries are obvious. Bulky and complex evidence can be presented in a simple, easy to interpret manner. A similar type of program is available within Victoria Police, however its use and access are restricted. Most practitioners would not be aware of its existence.

9.1.1.5 Obtaining best evidence - Cognitive interviewing technique.

In Killingbeck I was fortunate to meet with members who had knowledge and training on the Cognitive Interviewing Technique. Detective Inspector MILNE has written a number of books and still lectures on this subject throughout the world.

The technique is of value for co-operative witnesses, so it is ideal for victims. It attempts to enhance the subject's memory by using various techniques to gain as much accurate information as possible. The method used eliminates contamination from the process and if initiated prior to any accidental investigative contamination at initial response, can provide quite pure evidence. There are obvious major advantages in obtaining the maximum, uncontaminated, quality evidence, for future investigation and prosecution. Its application would be ideal for victims of traumatic incidents.

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 25

10.0 POLICE RESPONSES - UK

10.1 Graded Responses

In the United Kingdom a number of the police forces have a graded response to repeat victims of crime. Some refer to it as the "Gold, Silver and Bronze" response. The graded response is determined by the number of times a person has been a victim.

Clearly it is a crime prevention strategy driven by repeat victimisation. It is victim focused and victim driven. This departs from traditional thinking.

Details for criteria and response can differ slightly from force to force. The definition of a repeat victim may also differ. As mentioned earlier in this report, these details were left to the local policing authority to define as opposed to the Repeat Victimisation Task Force dictating the terms of reference.

The aim was, and still is, to establish consistency in police responses .The response is graded depending on previous police involvement and the level of response is dictated by police data. In addition the responses are monitored by the full time Domestic Violence Liaison Officers who hold their positions as a dedicated position.

In addition the whole model is regularly evaluated and amended as required. It is a living process.

Three very successful and well document models are:

Huddersfield - repeat burglaries and car thefts.

Killingbeck - repeat domestic violence.

Merseyside - repeat domestic violence (adaptation of Killingbeck)

10.1.1 Dedicated Domestic Violence Officers.

Police Forces in the United Kingdom have demonstrated their high level of commitment to the issues of domestic violence by incorporating designated, full time, operational positions for Domestic Violence Officers. Most UK police forces have a mixture of sworn and unsworn members holding these positions

The very existence of a dedicated full time role has been shown to be crucial to the success of many of their strategies when dealing with reducing repeat victimisation.

Currently in Victoria Police we have recently created Domestic Violence Liaison Officers who are operational members, usually at the Sergeant rank, who simply hold this role as one of a number of portfolios. In Victoria one exception exists in Frankston where a Senior Constable has very recently been appointed a full time Domestic Violence Liaison Officer position working within the Magistrates Court.

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 26 10.1.2 Application In Other Crime Areas

The focus of my Fellowship was to look at repeat victimisation in the areas of sexual assault, child abuse and domestic violence. I discovered the majority of repeat victimisation initiatives and good practice evolved primarily, but not exclusively, around domestic violence.

A number of strategies are adaptable and easily transferable to not only sexual assault and child abuse, but also to the broader spectrum of crime.

10.1.3 Domestic Violence - Victim Safety

10.1.3.1 Alarms

During my Fellowship I spent time with operational units observing their practices. I was very impressed the overt commitment to victim focused safety. I am aware a number of the initiatives and strategies I was shown in a particular police force may not be exclusively theirs, and may also be a practiced in other police forces.

In Edinburgh and Killingbeck I was briefed on alarms that could be provided to repeat victims for security in their home. There were subtle differences between police forces in the way the alarms worked. Police provided them and installed them. There was no cost to the victim for the period agreed upon and negotiation re a small cost if the victim desired to keep the alarm beyond an agreed time period. The alarms could be put in within a matter of hours if required.

They were primarily, but not limited to, victims of domestic violence but could also be used for stalking, harassment, racial targeting, witness protection and a number of such situations.

The communication centre and patrol units were trained in responding to such alarms. Priority is given to responding and they are set up in such a way they are monitored and actioned through the main police communication network.

10.1.3.2 Risk Assessment Tool - victim focus

When in London I was extremely fortunate to be invited to a number of consultative meetings resulting from the recently released government white paper on domestic violence and the subsequent reports. National representatives from a wide range of stakeholders were present.

I met with members on the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Domestic Violence Steering Group and the Risk Assessment Working Group, who were making recommendations to the ACPO Domestic Violence Risk Assessment and Management Working Group.

The ACPO Domestic Violence Steering Group was compiling a document for the ACPO position with a purpose of not providing a risk assessment and management tool, but to provide guidance for forces which are developing or already have, particular tools/processes within their own system.

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 27 I met both Dr.Kate PARADINE and Ms Jo WILKINSON both from CENTREX who were the driving force behind this part of the process.

A great deal of work is also being done on the Risk Assessment Model/Tool by Laura RICHARDS of the Racial and Violent Crime Task Force, New Scotland Yard and Sue WILLIAMS from the Metropolitan Police Service. (MPS).

Ms Sue WILLIAMS was present and discussed finer details, use, and implementation of the proposed MPS Risk Assessment Model and Tool.

The subject of the Risk Assessment Tool and its use by police to reduce further risk to the victim, will be the subject of one of my future reports. The Risk Assessment Tool is to be considered an "aide memoir" and not to be used in isolation or with unrealistic expectation. It must also be revised when circumstances change. However, in saying that, it is seen to be a valuable resource aimed at preventing repeat victimisation. It deserves further consideration.

When Victoria Police currently discuss "risk assessment" it is in reference to over all safety for members and the community when responding to a particular incident, not a process which is victim focused and preventing repeat victimisation.

Select areas in Victoria Police possess a basic awareness of the existence of such a tool and the logic behind it, but it is certainly not common knowledge or common practice among practitioners. This highlights a historical gap between organisational knowledge of possible best practise not translating into operational implementation. However, in saying this, I am aware Victoria Police is now starting to discuss this type of risk assessment tool as part of the Violence Against Women Strategy.

Observations during my Fellowship highlighted considerable work needs to be done to get this right. It may appear fairly simple but is in fact quite complex. The UK is much further advanced with this than us. Prior to any finalisation it would be invaluable to familiarise ourselves with the extensive good work the UK has already, and still currently, put into this process.

I will convey my findings to the appropriate steering group and continue to monitor UK progress.

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 28 11.0 CONCLUSION

I have successfully completed the aims of my Fellowship.

Repeat victimisation has been identified as a significant crime and resource issue by the UK police forces. Australian police forces need to acknowledge and quantify repeat victimisation here to enable an accurate analysis of impact.

My Fellowship study has identified strategies, protocols, training and procedures which have been implemented successfully by a number of the UK police forces, world leaders in this field.

I am confident many of these strategies are readily applicable and easily transferable to existing Australian policing responses, training and circumstances. They are complimentary to existing practise and can be introduced with minimal expense. The implementation of these key strategies would lead to much improved outcomes, for both potential repeat victims and the attending police services.

My research findings are extremely relevant and timely to current ongoing work being done both in the United Kingdom and here. In Victoria current work resulting from the Violence Against Women Strategy, Government Law Reform Commission reviews into Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence and the Victoria Police Policing Five Year Plan can benefit and be enhanced by my international experience.

It is imperative State, National and International networks are established, maintained and importantly utilised. Commitment is required to maximise best practice, learning and information sharing so finite time, resources and costs are not wasted on "reinventing the wheel." Furthermore ensuring our responses remain relevant, efficient and effective.

Should those in authority choose to ignore documented international foresight and advancements in the area of repeat victimisation and crime prevention, they do so at serious risk from vicarious liability.

As a consequence of my successful Churchill Fellowship and the international networks this has enable me to establish and maintain, I have much to contribute to the review and reform of State and National police policy in the area of repeat victimisation. My 26 years service in Victoria Police provides me with extensive first hand knowledge of what can be realistically achieved.

This and subsequent reports with specific focus will be forwarded to agencies and personnel where it is directly relevant. Future presentations will be arranged. The Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police has given an undertaking to assist me to communicate my findings and recommendations internally and to other policing and social agencies. I anticipate ongoing involvement and input with the development of strategies to enhance our ability to identify, appropriately respond to, and prevent repeat victimisation.

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 29 12.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

That Victoria Police and other National Police Forces:

1. - establish a Repeat Victimisation Task Force with similar aims and roles to that of the one in the United Kingdom.

2. - establish standardisation of crime reporting.

3. - enhance data collection and software to enable accurate, accessible and presentable data for repeat victimisation.

4. - establish full time dedicated Family Violence Liaison Officers with roles similar to that in the United Kingdom.

5. - develop awareness and training for Police, Government, Judiciary and Social Agencies regarding repeat victimisation and victimology.

6. - develop protocols between Police Investigators and Crown Prosecutors specifically regarding prosecution of domestic violence cases.

7. - develop appropriate training and education of repeat victimisation by methods appropriate for the subject matter, such as interactive CD's and on line training.

8. -establish pilot programs for a graded response to repeat victimisation with a view to eventual full implementation.

9. -a management regime with a view to establish a performance indicator specifically for repeat victimisation.

10. - develop and implement consultative mechanisms which ensures policy development and implementation is formed by practice and ensures policy and practice gaps are addressed.

11. - develop and implement a risk assessment tool and model similar to that in the United Kingdom.

12. -promote and disseminate Australian and International good practice models addressing repeat victimisation and encourage ongoing networking , information sharing , training and practice inspection.

13. - demonstrate commitment to reducing repeat victimisation by acknowledging, quantifying and addressing it in practice and policy.

14. - achieve consistent practice which remain client focussed, relevant, efficient and effective resulting in reducing repeat victimisation.

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 30 13.0 REFERENCES

Footnotes:

(1) Nixon’s Chief Commissioner of Police Victoria-ref. for Fiona Stevens re Churchill Application 2002.

(2) Home Office Police Research Group Briefing Note. - Repeat Victimisation Update.(2000)

(3) FOCUS No.6 Sept 1995. Page 59. Repeat Victimisation Task Force. Police Research Group.

(4) Op.Cit. Repeat Victimisation Task Force. Page 59

(5) Farrell.G, Edmunds.A, Hobbs.L, Laycock.G RV Snapshot: UK policing and repeat victimisation 2000 Crime Reduction Research Series Paper 5.

(6) Op.Cit. RV Snapshot. Page (vii)

(7) Anderson.D, Chenery.S, Pease,K, -Preventing repeat victimisation : a report on progress in Huddersfield. Home Office Police Research group Briefing Note 4/95. Page 1.

(8) Shaw.M. Pease.K. Preventing Repeat Victimisation in Scotland- examples of good practice (March 2000)

(9) Op. Cit. Page 9.

(10) Thinking about Crime Prevention Performance Indicators - Police Research Group. Crime prevention and Detection Series Paper No.57 Tilley.K (ed)

(11) Op.Cit. - Thinking about Crime Prevention Performance Indicators. Page.1

(12)ACPO National Crime Recording Standard (2003)

(13) Scottish Home Department: Criminal Justice Statistics Unit. Statistical Information on Domestic Violence. Guidance for completion of return.(2002)

(14) Hobbs, L Bridgeman, C (1997) Preventing Repeat Victimisation: the officers' guide.

(15) Safety and Justice- Govt. proposals on domestic violence.

(16) CENTREX Developing Policing Excellence-Policing responses to domestic violence.(June 2003)

(17) CENTREX Developing Policing Excellence. E-learning material (March 2003) Officers (ACPO) - National Crime Recording Standard (2003)

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 31 (18) Wiltshire CPS & Constabulary press release : Domestic Violence Protocol (9/12/03) Page 1.

(19) Op.Cit. - Domestic Violence protocol. Page 2.

(20) Op.Cit -.Domestic Violence Protocol Page 2.

(21) Code for Crown Prosecutors- UK

(22) Crown Prosecution Service- Policy for Prosecting Cases of Domestic Violence

Bibliography

Anderson.D, Chenery.S, Pease,K, -Preventing repeat victimisation : a report on progress in Huddersfield. Home Office Police Research group Briefing Note 4/95. Page 1.

Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) - National Crime Recording Standard (2003)

CENTREX - Developing Policing Excellence. E-learning material (March 2003)

CENTREX - Developing Policing Excellence-Policing responses to domestic violence.(June 2003)

Code for Crown Prosecutors-UK

Crown Prosecution Service- Policy for Prosecting Cases of Domestic Violence Farrell.G, Edmunds.A, Hobbs.L, Laycock.G RV Snapshot: UK policing and repeat victimisation (2000) Crime Reduction Research Series Paper 5.

Hobbs, L Bridgeman, C (1997) Preventing Repeat Victimisation: the officers' guide. Home Office Police Research Group Briefing Note. - Repeat Victimisation Update.(2001)

Home Office Police Research group, FOCUS No.6 Sept 1995. Page 59. Home Office. Safety and Justice- The Government's Proposals on Domestic Violence (2003)

Nixon.C , Chief Commissioner of Police, Victoria. Reference for Fiona Stevens re Winston Churchill Application (2002.)-Repeat Victimisation Task Force.

Scottish Home Department: Criminal Justice Statistics Unit. Statistical Information on Domestic Violence. Guidance for completion of return.(2002)

Tilley.K (ed) Thinking about Crime Prevention Performance Indicators - Police Research Group. Crime prevention and Detection Series Paper No.57

Wiltshire CPS & Constabulary press release : Domestic Violence Protocol (9/12/2003) Page 1.

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 32

The Jack Brockhoff Churchill Fellowship Report - Fiona Stevens (2002-2) 33