Hackney’s and Girls (VAWG) Strategy 2019 - 2022

Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4-5 INTRODUCTION 6-8 PREVALENCE OF VAWG 9 ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE 10-11 THE FOUR STRATEGIC PRIORITY ACTIONS 12-13 Priority 1 - Recognition, prevention, early intervention 14-17 Priority 2 - Protecting, supporting and addressing the impact 18-21 Priority 3 - Whole systems partnership approach 22-25 Priority 4 - Perpetrator accountability and enabling change 26-29 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HACKNEY VAWG STRATEGY 30 - 31

APPENDICES - Appendix 1: Hackney data 34-38 - Appendix 2: Definitions and types of violence 39-41 against women and girls

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 42 4 | HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is a local, national and global concern. It is widely acknowledged that VAWG is often hidden, underreported and many victims and survivors do not come to the attention of services.

In the last three years in In 2016, Hackney published Hackney, we have seen the borough’s first Violence an increase in reporting Against Women and Girls and accessing support for (VAWG) Strategy. The strategy domestic abuse and sexual was developed following violence which correlates an external review in 2014- with trends across London. 2015 of domestic abuse provision within the borough. The evidence is not robust enough at this time to The 2018 Hackney Labour hypothesise whether or not this Manifesto is aligned with the is due to increased awareness Mayor of London Manifesto and confidence to report, or if and sets out the commitment “I was not really aware of violence and abuse is becoming to: continue investment in what it was until I went more prevalent. Domestic and development of domestic and , and all abuse and independent through it. The abuser other types of violence against advice services, working makes you feel low, empty women and girls, have severe with community partners, and lost...you feel you are long-lasting and wide-ranging so we reach more of those trapped and the only one social, health and economic experiencing abuse sooner. going through it” impacts. The costs are high to individuals, families, to our - Survivor community, and to services. HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022 | 5

Extensive recommendations were made to develop a Hackney VAWG partnership embraces the comprehensive coordinated multi-agency response in key commitments in the London Mayor's order to address service 2016-20 strategy to embed VAWG as delivery gaps and to expand across agencies, the remit from domestic 'everyone's business' abuse to the wider specific services and the wider public. issues and effects of violence against women and girls. In Hackney we will apply The public health model These include: a public health approach has four steps: •  over the next three years to • A problem is identified and abuse tackling and reducing VAWG, an approach that has been • The risks; protective • Coercive and factors; and the causes controlling behaviour proven to be successful in tackling causes of violence. are established. • Sexual violence • Once this has been including This approach treats VAWG as a done, interventions are • Sexual exploitation preventable public health issue, recognising that VAWG is a developed and evaluated, • Sexual harassment consequence of factors such as and finally effective • Stalking adverse childhood experiences, policies and programmes • Prostitution harmful attitudes, beliefs need to be scaled up. and trafficking and influences held socially • Once the final step has been • So called ‘honour’ or within the community. reached, the cycle starts again based violence from the beginning, with • From this basis, the updated systematic data collection to identify the problem. • Faith based abuse strategy sets out a whole systems partnership approach, The priorities, objectives • Female genital whereby data will be gathered mutilation (FGM) and actions for the updated and analysed to identify causes strategy for Hackney, weave • ironing and examine what works and in the principles of the to co-produce solutions. public health approach. The three-year strategy has now come to an end and the VAWG Our aim is to reduce harm The four key priorities were Strategic Board have pledged and preserve life, focusing on identified and developed in to publish an updated three- primary prevention and early conjunction with professionals year strategy to build on the intervention through multi- from both mainstream and achievements made over the agency systemic approaches. community organisations, and last three years. VAWG is also We want Hackney to be a safer with the public who access one of the four key priorities of place where victims of all types services including those who the Hackney Community Safety of VAWG are encouraged and have been victims/survivors of Partnership. The Mayor of have the confidence to come violence and abuse, those who London made a commitment in forward and access the support have perpetrated violence and his manifesto to tackle VAWG. they would like. abuse, and young people. 6 | HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022

INTRODUCTION

Domestic and sexual Violence and abuse affects fully the emphasis on the violence, and all other types people regardless of their age, disproportionate and particular of violence against women race, religion, sexual orientation, types of violence and abuse and girls, have severe long- gender, gender identity, class suffered by women and girls. lasting and wide-ranging and marital status. Victims and social, health and economic survivors are at the heart of our impacts. The costs are high response to VAWG in Hackney. to individuals, families, to our There is no “one size fits all” community, and to services. approach and many people will experience, and be impacted by, Children living in homes more than one type of abuse. where there is violence and abuse, are exposed to ongoing VAWG also has a range of trauma which can impact their consequences including overall emotional wellbeing, homelessness, mental 33 inin 1010 womewomenn development and life chances. health difficulties, substance (16+)(16+) willwill ha haveve They are at greater risk of and alcohol misuse, child experiencedexperienced domestic domestic developing mental health safeguarding issues, adult abuseabuse at at some some point point in difficulties, drug and alcohol safeguarding issues, offending abuse and are at a higher behaviour, physical injury and theirin their lives... lives... risk of offending behaviour. death. We therefore accept that our response should be person- Children exposed to violence centred and co-ordinated, A significant number of men and abuse are at risk of based on a strong, whole and boys also experience developing an unhealthy view of systems, partnership approach. relationships and misogynistic violence and abuse including beliefs and behaviour. It is Hackney acknowledges the domestic abuse, all forms of persistent misogyny, conscious gendered nature of the current and historic sexual and unconscious, that is seen as forms of crime and abuse violence, stalking, so-called a deeper cause of VAWG (Mayor as identified in the VAWG ‘honour based’ violence, forced of London: The London Tackling definitions used by the United marriage, as well as the risks Violence Against Women and Nations, UK government and and harms associated with Girls Strategy 2018-2021). the London Mayor. We endorse prostitution and sex work. HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022 | 7

Additionally, boys living in homes of their gender expression. Walby & Allen’s 2004 analysis of where they are exposed to the findings relating to domestic power imbalances and abusive Structural inequalities can abuse, and behaviour, coupled with socially discriminate or exclude, stalking, highlights that victims developed ideals of masculinity, explicitly or implicitly, groups from Black, Asian, Minority can perpetuate harmful of victims and survivors such Ethnic and Refugee groups are attitudes and beliefs that skew as lesbian, gay, bisexual and far less likely to disclose abuse understanding of healthy, equal transgender (LGBT). Due to than the general population. and respectful relationships. real or perceived homophobia, Whilst there is no evidence to biphobia, transphobia and suggest that one group is at Such ideals can lead to heterosexism, LGBT victims greater risk than another, the unhealthy beliefs of entitlement and survivors can face specific way the violence is experienced and justify anger, dominance challenges when attempting and services accessed, can differ. and intimidation whether this to access support services. is overt or covert. It is these Hackney will align itself to the Hackney recognises the ideals of masculinity that also government's proposed best additional and often complex contribute to the stigma and practice guidance on supporting barriers faced by BAMER people shame attached to being a LGBT victims of VAWG. which can include, but is not victim of domestic abuse, that exclusive to: language barriers; make it more difficult for boys a fear of reprisal or complete and men to acknowledge they “I’d like to see rejection from the community; are victims and access support. pressure to remain in a marriage; better awareness risks of ‘honour’ based violence Transgender people experience for everyone to in the context of domestic violence and abuse including abuse; risks of other types of domestic abuse, sexual violence, understand that harmful practices; vulnerabilities so-called ‘honour-based’ abusive behaviour relating to immigration status; violence, or forced into marriage and there may be fear of a to attempt to ‘cure’ or mask is more than racist response from services. trans identity. Transgender men and boys may have been physical violence” Other marginalised groups refused an equal service or made include older women and to feel unwelcome because - Survivor women with disabilities, who 8 | HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022

experience greater levels of over longer periods of time isolation which ultimately than non-disabled victims impacts their experiences of (Disabled Survivors Too: violence and seeking help Disabled People and Domestic (SafeLives, 2013). Older victims Abuse. SafeLives, 2017). MORE experience abuse for twice LIKELY as long before seeking help We want to ensure X2 as those aged under 61 and our response to VAWG to experience nearly half have a disability. acknowledges and addresses the barriers faced by all domestic abuse For those over 60, there is also victims of VAWG, and that an increase in numbers of male professionals develop an if living with victims and the violence being intersectional approach perpetrated by an adult family that recognises the unique a disability member. Yet older clients experiences of victims are hugely underrepresented and survivors, developing respond to these issues within among domestic abuse an in-depth knowledge their own agencies and in services (Safe Later Lives: and understanding of the collaboration with partners. Older People and Domestic dynamics of gender, racism Abuse, SafeLives, 2016). and discrimination. This will enable better identification of VAWG, Disabled people experience VAWG affects all services across prevent harm, reduce risk and higher rates of domestic abuse Hackney, including children increase immediate and long- than non-disabled people. and families services, adult term safety, including holding In the year to March 2015 services, police, housing, health, perpetrators to account, the Crime Survey for England mental health, substance whilst offering opportunities and Wales reported that misuse services, probation, to change their behaviour. women and men with a long civil and criminal courts, and standing illness or disability specialist domestic abuse and Over the coming three years, were more than twice as VAWG services within the local Hackney will continue to likely to experience some authority and community. build on our success, address form of domestic abuse than the challenges faced, and We maintain that addressing strengthen our response women and men with no long VAWG is everyone’s standing illness or disability. to VAWG. This strategy responsibility. Through highlights our priorities, and SafeLives research found that having a whole systems commitments within the disabled victims of domestic partnership approach, we multi-agency partnership abuse also suffer more will ensure that all relevant over the next three years. severe and frequent abuse organisations effectively HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022 | 9

PREVALENCE OF VAWG IN HACKNEY

VAWG is a significant issue throughout the world

It is globally and nationally hidden and underreported lack of awareness around recognised that it is difficult and many victims and individual strands of VAWG, to obtain an accurate survivors do not come to we also do not currently have statistical picture of how the attention of services. robust VAWG data in Hackney. many women and girls are When looking at national data affected by violence as it is Coupled with inconsistencies in for England and Wales, we can widely acknowledged that approaches to data collection estimate the following below. all strands of VAWG are across organisations, and a

National Data Approx Hackney Data

3 in 10 women aged 16+ will have experienced domestic abuse at some point in their lives 34,142 women (Office for National Statistics, 2016; World Health Organisation, 2017)

1 in 5 women have experienced sexual assault since the age of 16 20,692 women (Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW), Office for National Statistics, February 2018)

1 in 5 children have been exposed to domestic abuse in the home 5,804 children (Home Office 2018; NSPCC; Radford et al 2011)

12% of women aged 16 to 19 had experienced 643 young women domestic abuse in the last year. aged 16 -19 years (Crime survey for England and Wales, March 2016)

The highest risk age for all forms of VAWG is those under 24. This age group is also the most likely to normalise violence and abuse and not seek support from services. 10 | HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022

OUR ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE Since Hackney adopted a VAWG strategy, there is evidence of stronger partnership working across both mainstream and community-based sectors.

Over the last three years, the delivery of comprehensive is thematic and provides Hackney VAWG partnership has training, and improved a range of workshops and worked closely to deliver and collaborative working. presentations delivered by the implement the priorities set specialist community services. out in the 2016-2019 strategy. Together they have supported a greater level of public The Council also partners with There have been no domestic specialist services in funding homicides in Hackney since awareness through information made available on-line, in bids for projects and training the review of domestic abuse delivery. Annually, the Council provision and implementation flyers, posters, or through delivering public workshops. rolls out a campaign for the of the VAWG Strategy, which International Day for the starkly contrasts with the We are committed to Elimination of Violence Against 5 domestic homicides that working closely with our Women with 16 Days of Action; occurred between 2012-2014. specialist community based supporting and publicising We have seen an increase VAWG services, to ensure we specialist community based in reporting and accessing understand and address the VAWG initiatives and services. complex barriers faced by support for domestic abuse and The partnership supports sexual violence which correlates particular groups of people, including BAMER, LGBT+, creative ways of working that with trends across London. The make it easier for victims and evidence is not robust enough boys and men, older people, and those with disabilities. survivors to access specialist to hypothesise whether or services. The Council’s not this is due to increased The Hackney VAWG Domestic Abuse Intervention awareness and confidence to Operational Group meets Service works with all levels of report, or if violence and abuse quarterly to review risk, will identify safe places is becoming more prevalent. implementation of the to meet with victims/survivors The partnership has worked strategy, to provide service tailored to their individual together to increase awareness updates, and to identify where needs, and will work closely and improve the response there are gaps in knowledge with partner agencies to by professionals through the and support. The bi-annual ensure a robust and holistic provision of specialist services, VAWG Practitioners Forum response to risk and safety. HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022 | 11

The types of support on offer range from, but are not exclusive to:

• working with the relevant professional • remain safely at home through installation of network to ensure a holistic response; a panic alarm or safety adaptations made to the property under the Sanctuary Scheme; • information and support on legal and housing rights; • advocacy around finance including liaison with agencies such as the Department for • support to go to court; Work and Pensions; • help to obtain legal protection; • linking up with appropriate services such • support to separate from an abusive partner as counselling, mental health services, or and/or flee an abusive home; alcohol and drug services.

All victims/survivors will be The Council, Homerton In 2019 Young Hackney provided with options about University Hospital, and the and DAIS will build on this which VAWG service they Metropolitan Police, have success through co-creating would like to support them, also embedded domestic a toolkit with young people, and there are close referral abuse staff protocols for their specifically for/about young pathways between community employees and managers, people and domestic abuse/ based VAWG services and designed to support anyone VAWG. The VAWG Strategy the Council’s Domestic in the workforce who may be will also support the objectives Abuse Intervention Service experiencing domestic abuse. of the City & Hackney in order to prevent any delay This policy has been shared Safeguarding Children’s for a victim or survivor in Board (CHSCB) Vulnerable receiving a service. Victims/ with the whole professional Adolescents Strategy. survivors are listened to and partnership and business their safety is assessed. forums, to support in the Locally, the statistics currently development of their own available can only partially Hackney has also maintained policies. In addition, Hackney contribute to providing an its commitment to increase the delivers an annual public accurate picture of the extent accountability of perpetrators, campaign that coincides of VAWG in Hackney. A major ensuring they are brought with the part of the work to support the to justice through agencies International Day for the strategy over the next three providing an effective criminal Elimination of Violence Against years is to boost reporting justice response; earlier Women and 16 Days of Action. and establish a dataset that engagement with children is monitored by the Strategic and families services; using The young people of Hackney are also being supported Board. This will enable us to mechanisms such as the better identify trends, analyse Multi Agency Risk Assessment to have a better awareness of healthy relationships demand, performance and Conference (MARAC) to effectiveness, and ensure and respectful behaviour identify actions where deemed quality assurance processes. appropriate, to support in the through the delivery of disruption of further abuse by specialist PSHE lessons by the the perpetrator; and providing Young Hackney Health and help to change through Wellbeing Team and Domestic programmes including the Abuse Intervention Service, Behaviour Change Programme delivered to children and For an overview of the data young people aged 8-19. held by Hackney that shows delivered through the Domestic the current demand for Abuse Intervention Service. services, please see appendix 1 12 | HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022

THE FOUR KEY PRIORITIES AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STRATEGY ARE:

PRIORITY 1: PRIORITY 2: RECOGNITION, PROTECTING, SUPPORTING PREVENTION AND AND ADDRESSING EARLY INTERVENTION THE IMPACT

Our ambition is to improve social, economic We will aim to ensure that victims are not and health outcomes for children, young passed around between services and that the people and survivors by having a whole VAWG partnership works together to provide systems approach that works to prevent a wrap-around response with individuals being violence and abuse happening in the first able to swiftly access the right support from place and to improve the confidence of the right services. We will work to ensure long- victims and survivors to seek help earlier term change through empowering victims/ through building resilience. In order survivors to gain independence from abusive to build resilience however, individuals relationships and to reduce the need for long- should not be expected to be able to cope term dependence on services. We will identify with violence and abuse on their own. and work together to address gaps in service provision and to enhance existing provision. We will work to increase the internal resources and protective factors of families, We aim to ensure the provision of high communities, and local networks to quality services that are safe, accessible, recognise when abuse is happening, respond flexible and available in a timely way to appropriately and challenge attitudes that all victims/survivors, children and young condone or support abusive behaviours. people. This includes tackling the additional barriers faced by boys and men, those from The Hackney VAWG partnership will work BAMER communities, people with disabilities, together to develop one voice, where older people, the LGBT community, those collaboration is key and where VAWG is seen with no recourse to public funds and those as core-business for all relevant mainstream experiencing multiple disadvantage such as and community-based agencies. We will also homelessness or mental health difficulties. work with the professional partnership and community to raise awareness and challenge We will work together to ensure services and attitudes that condone violence and abuse. interventions offer trauma-informed practical support in order to help victims/survivors make sense of what has been done to them, and to enable them to navigate services and systems such as the criminal justice system, housing, children and families services, and employment. We will also work together to achieve our ambition of fewer children and young people being exposed to or living with violence and abuse, and to ensure that those who are exposed, are supported through a trauma-informed approach. HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022 | 13

PRIORITY 3: PRIORITY 4: WHOLE SYSTEMS PERPETRATOR PARTNERSHIP ACCOUNTABILITY AND APPROACH ENABLING CHANGE

Through having a whole systems partnership For victims who are pursuing a criminal approach, whereby all mainstream and justice route, we will work to ensure that specialist agencies and the community work their reports are taken seriously, are together, we will ensure a robust vision and properly investigated and action taken plan to prevent and respond to VAWG. against the perpetrator. We want to support victims through the criminal justice Through having one voice, where VAWG is process and ensure they have access to the taken seriously, responded to consistently, appropriate criminal and civil sanctions. and services collaborate, we will strengthen our ability to deliver against our key priorities. We will simultaneously work to strengthen We will support and hold to account for the relationship between the police, best practice, all areas of the professional Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), courts, partnership in order to reach this objective. prison and probation services to ensure perpetrators are effectively processed, We will support community and faith convicted and receive appropriate orders groups to take a key role in challenging and to attend behaviour change programmes, tackling VAWG and enabling long-lasting whilst ensuring victims are fully supported. change, through providing safe spaces for disclosure, developing community-led The development of our work with initiatives that seek to change attitudes perpetrators will have an emphasis on and harmful beliefs, and through having early intervention where we will increase male and female role models working opportunities to engage with, challenge and with children and young people. give perpetrators who are not known to the criminal justice system, an opportunity to change their behaviour. There will also be a greater emphasis on the intersectionality of mental health and alcohol and /or substance misuse, associated with those who perpetrate abuse, and the increased risks presented. 14 | HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022

PRIORITY 1: RECOGNITION, PREVENTION & EARLY INTERVENTION

Domestic and sexual violence, and all other types of VAWG, have a considerable negative long-term impact.

“If I was taught from a young age that my husband’s behaviour was wrong, I probably would not have ended up in an abusive relationship”

- Survivor HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022 | 15

Awareness-raising and that works to prevent violence We want to see everyone, education around forming and abuse happening in the across all services and positive relationships is first place and to improve the communities, involved crucial in addressing harmful confidence of victims and in the identification and attitudes and behaviour, survivors to seek help earlier prevention of abuse. so that children and young through building resilience. people who witness violence The Hackney VAWG In order to build resilience and abuse in the home do partnership will work however, individuals should not come to see this as a together to develop one not be expected to be able normal feature of their lives. voice, where collaboration to cope with violence and is key and where VAWG is Therapeutic intervention, abuse on their own. seen as core-business for all particularly in early childhood, We will work to increase relevant mainstream and can also support individuals to community-based agencies. be less vulnerable to the long- the internal resources and term impact of the trauma of protective factors of families, We will also work with the witnessing domestic abuse. communities, and local professional partnership and networks to recognise when community to raise awareness Our ambition is to improve abuse is happening, respond and challenge attitudes that social, economic and health appropriately and challenge condone violence and abuse. outcomes for children, young attitudes that condone or people and survivors by having support abusive behaviours. a whole systems approach 16 | HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022

OUR KEY OBJECTIVES FOR...

PRIORITY 1: RECOGNITION, PREVENTION & EARLY INTERVENTION

Support in the prevention Support existing work Coordinate the delivery of violence and abuse being undertaken across of a specialist training against young people the Community Safety programme that and children through Partnership, Safeguarding encompasses all types high quality relationship Boards and Health of VAWG and clearly education in schools and and Wellbeing Board, articulates our zero other youth settings, CAMHS Alliance and the tolerance approach. This so that children and Integrated Commissioning will include training for all young people can be Workstream, to develop a professionals to develop supported to understand trauma-informed model the appropriate knowledge what VAWG and healthy and interventions to address and skills to identify relationships are, in order adverse experiences of those at risk and provide to prevent future abuse. children and young people. a consistent response to those experiencing Co-create a toolkit with Support professionals domestic abuse and young people, specifically and communities to wider VAWG practices. targeted at young people, become aware of the risks professionals working pertaining to technology Ensure that professionals with young people, and which can further increase are able to identify girls parents/carers, to help them the risk within a coercive and women at risk of better understand healthy and controlling dynamic, FGM or those who have relationships and where/ and can be used as a already undergone FGM how to access support. vehicle for on-line abuse, so that they can access revenge porn, harassment, the appropriate level of bullying and stalking. support and intervention to ensure their safety. The current FGM protocol will be revised and training will be rolled out on FGM to ensure professionals and key staff are clear on their legal obligations and how to report cases of FGM. HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022 | 17

Improve awareness within Proactively participate Work with local businesses, all communities through in campaigning around British Transport Police, partnership working with VAWG including the United the night-time economy, grassroots community- Nations International Day and community policing based organisations. and 16 Days of Action, and teams to raise awareness, We will tailor awareness- International Women’s Day. respond appropriately, hold raising to the needs of Design awareness-raising perpetrators to account and individual communities campaigns in collaboration counter sexual harassment through a range of with community groups and abuse on transport, channels including training, and survivors. streets and in public/ campaigning, social media private spaces. This will and mainstream media. Ensure that information include the creation of a about VAWG is available in Women’s Safety Charter. Support victims/survivors a range of languages and and young people to at a range of locations both influence the response in professional settings such to VAWG through having as GP surgeries, schools, their voices heard in housing offices, hospitals all consultations and and council buildings, and service developments. also community settings such as libraries, salons, hairdressers, supermarkets, leisure centres, licensed premises, churches, mosques, synagogues and community venues. 18 | HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022

PRIORITY 2: PROTECTING, SUPPORTING & ADDRESSING THE IMPACT Hackney is a diverse borough, therefore a person-centred approach that recognises the diversity of people’s experiences and needs is key to effecting real change.

“If there is generational abuse, it makes people desensitised as abusive behaviour is normalised - kids get used to dad shouting at mum and emulate this behaviour when they grow up”

- Survivor HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022 | 19

We know that a one them in building their own funds and those experiencing size fits all approach to resources, socially, through multiple disadvantage such responding to, protecting their networks and through as homelessness, substance and supporting victims/ developing their own skills. or alcohol misuse or mental survivors, young people and health difficulties. We will identify and seek children will not be effective. to address gaps in service We want to ensure a tailored Victims, children and young provision. Where specialist person-centred response where people caught up in abuse in targeted services are not consistency is key. We will work all its forms, should receive always available due to together to ensure services and a prompt and appropriate limitations in resources, interventions offer trauma- service to support them as a partnership we will informed practical support and their needs. work together to identify in order to help victims/ what is available and work survivors make sense of what We will aim to ensure that collaboratively to enhance has been done to them, and victims are not passed existing provision. to enable them to navigate around between services and services and systems such as that the VAWG partnership We will aim to ensure the the criminal justice system, works together to provide a provision of high quality housing, children and families wrap-around response with services that are safe, services, and employment. individuals being able to accessible, flexible and swiftly access the right support available in a timely way We will also work together to from the right services. to all victims/survivors, achieve our ambition of fewer children and young people. children and young people We want to ensure long-term being exposed to or living change through empowering This includes tackling the with violence and abuse, and victims/survivors to gain additional barriers faced by to ensure that those who are independence from abusive boys and men, those from exposed, are supported through relationships and to reduce the BAMER communities, people a trauma-informed approach. need for long-term dependence with disabilities, older people, on services. The most effective the LGBT community, those way of doing so is to support with no recourse to public 20 | HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022

OUR KEY OBJECTIVES FOR...

PRIORITY 2: PROTECTING, SUPPORTING & ADDRESSING THE IMPACT

Establish and develop Support victims/survivors Have robust systems a shared best practice to report abuse including in place to ensure model for working with all that experienced through information about victims of domestic abuse, technology, through raising previous domestic abuse differentiating models for awareness of new and offences is shared safely intimate partner violence improved legislation to with victims and within and ‘adult family violence’. keep people safe online the legislative frameworks and ensuring they are such as the Domestic Establish and develop aware of initiatives such as Violence Disclosure Scheme a shared best practice the revenge porn helpline, (Clare’s Law) to allow for model for working with the anonymous voter informed choices about all other types of VAWG register, or the online flag their relationships. including rape, sexual that allows police forces violence, harmful practices, to record crimes such as Support victims/survivors prostitution and trafficking, stalking and harassment through the criminal stalking and harassment. that takes place online. justice system. This can be enabled through a Ensure there is choice Ensure the accessibility robust first response by Multiple for victims. of services for women the police when a report complexities can mean that involved in prostitution is made, charges being not all victims will want to with the aim of their pursued by the Crown be pursue a sanction, may improving safety. Prosecution Service, and be reluctant to engage in for the victim/survivor to specialist services, nor wish Ensure that victims be supported from start to to be separated from the of violence who have end when going through person who is being abusive multiple needs including the Specialist Domestic to them. Victims should alcohol misuse, substance Abuse Court (SDAC). be made aware of all the misuse and/or mental options available to them. health difficulties, have Improve the response to access to specialist support. domestic abuse within children and families services, using the Safe and Together model that has a greater emphasis on working in partnership with the non-abusive parent, whilst holding the perpetrator to account, in order to increase the safety of their children. HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022 | 21

Ensure children and Continue to provide Develop robust support for young people, who have refuge accommodation female offenders, who we witnessed violence and for women and their know for many have been abuse in the home, children who are fleeing victims of sexual, physical receive a trauma- domestic and sexual and emotional abuse. informed response that violence, ensuring that We will review models supports them to repair they will be supported that are being developed any relationship damage to move on (within 18 nationally whereby joined- that has occurred with months), whilst working up approaches are used the non-abusive parent/ with MOPAC and the to address the complex carer, and that they have MHCLG to support in the needs of female offenders. access to specialist support review of whether regional to address the trauma funding for refuge spaces Respond to the reported they have experienced. will be possible, which in increase in sexual turn could seek to address violence and rape through Improve the response to the disparity of provision the development of domestic abuse across across local authorities. the Hackney Women’s the housing partnership, Safety Charter. so that victims receive Improve our a compassionate and understanding of and consistent response. This the response across the will include supporting partnership to sexual victims/survivors to remain assault and rape cases, safe in their own home to strengthen the support through the Sanctuary offered in the journey Scheme which currently experienced that often has no dedicated funding. leads to victims dropping Best practice will be out of the justice process supported through working before it can run its course. towards the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) Accreditation. 22 | HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022

PRIORITY 3: WHOLE SYSTEMS PARTNERSHIP APPROACH

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n e Arr Ag ang ulti- ements M HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022 | 23

“Ask them why they are doing the behaviour, try and understand them, show them empathy. ..counsellors could help the perpetrators, they could go and see a mentor ” - Young Person

No single agency can be Our aim is to ensure that We will support and hold to responsible for ending professionals across the account for best practice, violence against women and partnership are consistent all areas of the professional girls. Through having a whole in their understanding and partnership in order to systems partnership approach, response to VAWG. Working reach this objective. whereby all mainstream and together to eradicate VAWG specialist agencies and the contributes to safeguarding There will also be people within community work together, children and adults. All the community with attitudes we can ensure a robust services across the partnership that condone violence and vision and plan to prevent should be aware of their abuse and who may also be and respond to VAWG. safeguarding responsibilities. perpetrating abuse in collusion with others, and societal, This will enable us to work In order to adequately institutional and cultural towards the best possible safeguard our community from norms that means VAWG is outcomes for victims/ VAWG, we need to develop carried out with impunity. survivors, children and a better understanding of young people in Hackney. the extent of VAWG and our Community and faith groups, aim is to develop the data including their leaders, have A whole systems approach will and information we hold a key role in challenging provide a message to residents and share to support and and tackling VAWG and that they live in a community inform our shared approach. enabling long lasting change, that does not tolerate through providing safe spaces VAWG and, in turn, increase Through having one voice, for disclosure, developing the confidence in victims/ where VAWG is taken seriously, community-led initiatives that survivors to come forward responded to consistently, seek to change attitudes and to disclose their experiences and services collaborate, harmful beliefs, and through of violence and abuse and we will strengthen our having male and female be connected to specialist ability to deliver on each role models working with support within Hackney. of the key priority areas. children and young people. 24 | HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022

OUR KEY OBJECTIVES FOR...

PRIORITY 3: WHOLE SYSTEMS PARTNERSHIP APPROACH

Establish a partnership Support all agencies Identify a package dataset and multi-agency to provide a consistent of VAWG training to auditing process which and robust response to be rolled out by the all relevant partners VAWG. The multi-agency partnership, available for will be expected to partnership will lead all practitioners. Continue contribute to. This will on the development of with a thematic bi-annual enable us to understand good practice guidance VAWG Practitioners forum better the extent of for professionals working covering all aspects of VAWG in the borough, in Hackney, to increase VAWG to share and build any trends and patterns, workforce confidence in on best practice across demand on services, and identifying and responding provider services. monitor the performance to VAWG-related issues, and of both specialist and be equipped to support a We will continue to mainstream services victim/survivor to be linked promote learning across to check our progress with a specialist support all agencies from the and inform our work. service. We will also work four Domestic Homicide to improve information Reviews (DHRs) conducted sharing between partners in Hackney between so that support is holistic 2012-2014 and from and ensures a robust national research taken response to risk. from the annual census and reviews from the Home Office. HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022 | 25

Establish a network Work with local business of community-based forums to raise awareness champions who can and improve the response lead the way in raising within business settings to awareness amongst staff who are experiencing individual communities, domestic abuse and and who are able to other types of VAWG. carry out a ‘bystander intervention’. Support third party reporting initiatives such By raising awareness as the Crimestoppers of domestic and sexual helpline where reporting violence and empowering is anonymous and where people to take action, helpline workers know bystander intervention where to signpost a initiatives aim to involve victim/survivor to the the community in right support services. changing social attitudes, and reduce pressure on the victim. (Contextual Safeguarding; Public Health England: “A review of evidence for bystander intervention to prevent sexual and domestic violence in universities”) 26 | HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022

PRIORITY 4: PERPETRATOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND ENABLING CHANGE Perpetrators of violence and abuse can be intimate partners, wider family members, or, in instances of sexual violence, acquaintances or strangers.

“When you get a chance to talk, it helps you realise”

- Perpetrator HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022 | 27

Perpetrators are responsible for probation services to ensure The development of our their behaviour, it is a chosen perpetrators are effectively work with perpetrators will intentional behaviour. To keep processed, convicted and have an emphasis on early victims safe, those who are receive appropriate orders intervention where we will committing violence and abuse to attend behaviour change increase opportunities to against them must be dealt programmes, whilst ensuring engage with, challenge and with robustly and effectively victims are fully supported. give perpetrators who are not but also offered support to known to the criminal justice We acknowledge however, change their behaviours. system, an opportunity to that all types of VAWG are change their behaviour. Women, children, young people largely under-reported and and families affected by therefore not known to There will also be a VAWG should be well informed criminal justice services. greater emphasis on the about the legal and protective intersectionality of mental measures available to them. In cases of domestic abuse, health and alcohol and / it is estimated that only or substance misuse, For victims who are pursuing approximately 20%of associated with those who a criminal justice route, we perpetrators come to the perpetrate abuse, and the will work to ensure that their attention of the criminal increased risks presented. reports will be taken seriously, justice system, and many be properly investigated perpetrators have been and action will be taken largely invisible to services. against the perpetrator. Therefore it is important to We want to support victims have a wider strategy around through the criminal justice how the Hackney partnership process and ensure they have respond to perpetrators access to the appropriate to ensure accountability criminal and civil sanctions. and long-term change. We will simultaneously work We consider that for a wide to strengthen the relationship range of people, with the right between the police, approach and support, they Crown Prosecution Service would be able to change their (CPS), courts, prison and attitudes and behaviour. 28 | HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022

OUR KEY OBJECTIVES FOR...

PRIORITY 4: PERPETRATOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND ENABLING CHANGE

Review the response to Provide and/or refer to Ensure access to specialist perpetrators across the a range of evidence- services for perpetrators partnership whilst taking based behaviour who present with multiple into account resources, change interventions complex needs including capacity and outcomes. for perpetrators that can mental health issues and help to decrease risks to substance and/or alcohol This will look at the victims and their families. misuse. These factors enforcement and criminal are known to increase justice response to This includes, but is risk when they occur perpetrators of all types not exclusive to: with domestic abuse. of VAWG, specialist • provision of specialist support for perpetrators In conjunction with behaviour change through behaviour change licensed venues and programmes addressing programmes including premises, we will develop abuse in intimate keeping abreast of a Women’s Safety Charter national and international relationships; that tackles the harassment, developments in • specialist interventions sexual intimidation and perpetrator work and the with young people assault of women. response and confidence using violence on within non-specialist The charter will be based family members or in on a set of key principles settings to identify and their relationships; challenge perpetrators at that ensure all staff working the earliest opportunity, • stop and search groups within a licensed premises ensuring that victims/ for buyers of prostitution; act in a responsible and supportive manner, survivors and children are at • referring to treatment the centre of the response. taking all reports seriously programmes delivered and for venues to send by the National a clear message that Stalking Clinic. the abusive behaviour will not be tolerated. HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022 | 29

Gather information locally Reduce re-offending Identify models of good and nationally around from buyers of sex practice locally, through perpetrators of adult through running targeted sharing statistical and family violence. To identify operations focusing on analytical information from models of good practice kerb crawlers and pimps. initiatives taking place that work to reduce risk and across the partnership. increase behaviour change. Review and update the Share knowledge gained existing protocol with the from local and national Maximise opportunities Metropolitan Police Central initiatives to prevent violent to monitor and disrupt East Basic Command Unit and abusive offending. individuals who pose an that targets buyers and ongoing risk to others diverts women involved through their violent and in prostitution from the abusive behaviour. An criminal justice system. example of this being the police initiative, Operation Dauntless. Develop a more robust response to stalking, ensuring that professionals working with perpetrators of stalking work in partnership with the MPS London Centre of Excellence -The Stalking Threat Assessment Centre. 30 | HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HACKNEY VAWG STRATEGY

“It’s everyone's We will apply the principles of planned; and provide early a public health approach to warning signs if things go responsibility to keep tackling and reducing VAWG. wrong. Indicators will assist an eye on people, on We will work together within in identifying where changes their friends, family” the partnership to agree might need to be made in an annual delivery plan practice or to the strategy. - Young person and a set of partnership We recognise that to create indicators that will measure positive and sustainable long- success and outcomes term changes, some short-term against the objectives set indicators may get worse for out in this strategy. a period of time. The more We will create a three year work that is done to raise (2019-2022) action plan that awareness and encourage will guide data monitoring victims/survivors to seek help and evaluation, that we will and abusers to change, the review and update annually. more likely it is that we will see reporting and service demand The framework will include increase in the short-term. key indicators of success, In the long-term, it is outcomes and outputs, and anticipated that the work will explain how data will be undertaken will start to tackle collected, when and by whom. the normalisation of abuse, This will help us to observe, and the intergenerational measure and validate transmission of violence performance; show whether leading to a steady decline in progress has been made as reporting and service demand. HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022 | 31

In implementing our strategy and action plans, we will explore opportunities to align aspects of our plans and undertake joint initiatives with other local authorities, in particular with the City of London, with whom Hackney already shares a number of strategic partnerships and services. The VAWG Strategic Board will be responsible for reviewing and implementing the actions in the strategy. The Strategic Board meets quarterly, is chaired by a local authority Executive Director, and is represented by senior managers from statutory, community and voluntary organisations. 32 | HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022

The role of the board will be to: Promote a multi-agency and whole systems approach, working to ensure VAWG is included in all business areas Ensure any new policy, practice or legislation is fully included within the VAWG performance monitoring framework and is embedded in all VAWG work across Hackney Ensure the response and service delivered to victims and survivors of VAWG are of the highest quality and responsive to the changing landscape of VAWG Ensure learning from local and national Domestic Homicide Reviews, including relevant recommendations, are incorporated into VAWG actions and monitor progress against the VAWG Action Plan. With the support of the associated Operational Groups and Steering Groups, we will assess whether actions and activities are achieving the required outcomes Establish overall impact through quality assurance and performance monitoring. The VAWG Board will devise and agree a set of indicators for a performance monitoring framework. Report quarterly to the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) Report annually to the City and Hackney Safeguarding Children Board, Adults Board and Health and Wellbeing Board. Appendices

- Appendix 1: Hackney data 34-38 - Appendix 2: Definitions and types of violence 39-41 against women and girls 34 | HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022

APPENDIX 1: HACKNEY DATA

The following provides a brief overview of the data we hold, showing the number of people experiencing VAWG, who have reported and/or been supported from a variety of services.

3000 3027

Police recorded domestic 2500 violence offences

2000 2765

1500

2625 1000

500

2016/17 2017/18 2018/19

RAPE OFFENCE REPORTING SPECIALIST DOMESTIC ABUSE COURT

In Hackney there were 265 reported Hackney is one of four London boroughs that sit in the in 2018/19, which was a 16% increase from East London Specialist Domestic Abuse Court (SDAC). 2017/18 (85.4% of victims were female). The following data shows successful convictions over the last 2 years. 300

Successful prosecutions out of total number of prosecutions 250

265 2017/18 200 229 276 436

150 2018/19

100 201 300

50 In 2019 MOPAC launched the new Pan London Integrated Victim and Witness Service (IVWS). In 0 East London the IVWS will seek to strengthen the 2017/18 2018/19 Court process through IDVA provision in the Witness Care Units and the SDAC. HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022 | 35

DOMESTIC ABUSE INTERVENTION SERVICE (DAIS)

DAIS is the council run domestic abuse service which provides advocacy and support to victims of domestic abuse aged 16 and over; assessment and interventions with perpetrators of domestic abuse; and training for the wider professional and community network.

DAIS also co-locate staff into the Specialist Domestic Abuse Court and into the Children and Families Service. DAIS has seen a year on year increase in referrals into the service since the restructure of the service in 2015.

822 935 1165 1322

2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19

GALOP

GALOP is the Pan-London specialist LGBT+ anti-violence charity. Galop worked with 626 domestic abuse cases between January 2013 and August 2017.

Jan ‘13 Hackney represented 6% of those cases and was among the top five Aug ‘17 boroughs where domestic abuse incidents were disclosed.

CLAUDIA JONES ORGANISATION HACKNEY MULTI AGENCY RISK ASSESSMENT CONFERENCE (MARAC) The Claudia Jones Organisation works with women and girls of African and Carribean heritage. They have The Hackney MARAC is held fortnightly and consists of recently been awarded 3 years of Lottery funding to a panel who hear the cases of those victims of domestic continue the gender-based violence and family support abuse who have been identified and assessed as high risk work they had undertaken as part of the Hackney of harm or homicide. Referral figures into the MARAC: Women’s Haven (HWH). HWH ran for 2 years from January 2016, involving a consortium of Claudia Jones Organisation, Hawa Trust, Rise Community Action, 497 477 Hackney Women’s Forum and Hackney CVS. 450

people provided with 242 1100 FGM & domestic abuse 230 awareness sessions 257

women receiving one 81 to one domestic abuse or FGM support. 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19

Total no of referrals Total no of referrals with to MARAC children in the home 36 | HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022

NIA

Nia deliver the Identification and Referral to Improve Safety (IRIS) service. IRIS is a General Practitioner based domestic abuse training support and referral programme. Referral figures have been fairly consistent since it started:

180 176 170 171

160

150

140

130

The reduction in referrals is 120 attributed to to staff shortage.

110

100 100

90

2016/17 2017/18 2018/19

Nia also run the East London Rape Crisis Service. The number of victims of domestic abuse Nia provided East London Rape Crisis receive most referrals from the Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy (IDVA) to: London Borough of Hackney. 2017/18 82 In 2017/18 there were 138 active Hackney cases. In the first 6 months of 2018/19, there had been 31 referrals 2018/19 67

from Hackney. The reduction in case work is attributed to staff shortage.

WiSER IMECE WOMEN’S CENTRE

In 2018 Hackney joined the successful WiSER project IMECE provide support to Turkish, Kurdish and Turkish delivered through Solace Women’s Aid. This is a specialist Cypriot women. They offer the Specialist Outreach Safety trauma-informed service working intensively through (SOS) Project, the Pathway to Recovery Project and Ascent assertive outreach, with women experiencing VAWG and Advice and Counselling.

multiple disadvantage. In 2017/18 LATIN AMERICAN WOMEN'S AID (LAWA) Women were supported LAWA run two refuges for Latin American Women and 41 through SOS their children. LAWA offers additional domestic abuse support, available to Hackney women through advice, advocacy and counselling. They also have a children and Women were supported through young people's service providing recovery intervention. 81 the counselling service. LAWA worked with 1,261 people in 2017/18. HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022 | 37

HOMERTON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Homerton University Hospital oversees the Primary Care MARAC liaison Service. Since the service has been in place there has been an increase in referrals from the hospital to the MARAC and Domestic Abuse Services.

In 2019 MOPAC launched the new Pan London Integrated Victim and Witness Service (IVWS) which will be delivered via Victim Support. Victim Support in partnership with Sistah Space Against Domestic Abuse will base 1 full time IDVA and 1 part time IDVA at The Homerton Hospital.

Presentations at the Homerton University Hospital Emergency Department where the person has a history of domestic abuse

800

660 575 400

0 2017/18 2018/19

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICE

Hackney Children and Families Service has been reviewing More than 200 million girls and women alive today have the response to domestic abuse from the various points of undergone FGM in the countries where the practice is service provision. In 2019 Hackney will adopt and roll out concentrated and it is estimated that 3 million girls are Safe and Together, a model which is designed to improve at risk every year. Between January 2008 and December practice and working together with families where there 2013, 245 women disclosed a history of FGM when booking is domestic abuse and concerns about children. It helps in for maternity care at Homerton University Hospital. The workers to partner with domestic abuse victims and engage hospital undertakes approximately 10 FGM deinfibulations with people who have committed domestic abuse to (reversals) per year. enhance the safety and well-being of children.

Over the last 3 years, Hackney Children and Families Service: 100

87 Referrals received by Hackney Children 2016/17 and Families Service where there were 80 concerns about the potential risk of FGM 1181

1452 60 2017/18

1186 40

1820 30 22 2018/19 20

1165 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 1074

contacts received with assessments completed The drop in referrals is attributed to more sophisticated risk a referral category of where domestic abuse assessment and, over time, mothers with multiple children domestic abuse was a factor present will have previously accessed advice and guidance. 38 | HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022

ADULT SAFEGUARDING

Hackney Adult Social Care and Safeguarding, have been working closely with DAIS to review the response to complex cases, in particular where adults are being abused by their adult child. This area of development is a priority in the strategy.

Figures for Hackney Adult Safeguarding show a general increase in notifications where domestic abuse is identified as a concern:

2016/17 32

2017/18 39

2018/19 37

0 10 20 30 40 50

HOUSING

In 2019, Housing and DAIS created a new post that 300 will focus on tightening and improving the response 277 to domestic abuse across the Housing Partnership, 250 which will include working towards the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) Accreditation. The 200 aim of DAHA is to improve consistency across housing partnerships. 162 150 123 Approaches to Housing where domestic abuse is a 114 referral category, have seen a significant increase in 100 2018/19 following changes to reporting requirements in the Homeless Reduction Act. The increased figure is due to changes in recording/reporting and is for those 50 whose main loss of accommodation is as a result of domestic abuse; this represents 7.5% of all approaches 0 to Housing for 2018/19 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19

Number of domestic abuse referrals to Hackney Housing

Victims can also be supported to remain safe in their own home through installation of Sanctuary Schemes. In 2017/18 there were 23 Sanctuary referrals and 22 Sanctuary referrals in 2016/17.

Hackney Council funds the third highest number of Hackney Council funds refuge spaces for women and children in London, 48 refuge spaces providing 48 beds across 2 refuge providers.

Hackney Council also commissions 31 bed spaces for single homeless women with complex needs, which includes women experiencing domestic abuse and/or involved in prostitution. HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022 | 39

APPENDIX 2: DEFINITIONS AND TYPES OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

The United Nations defines violence against women as: “Any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life”

GLOBAL (Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, 1993). The United Nations definition is endorsed by the UK Government strategy for “Ending Violence Against Women and Girls 2016-2020”.

The UK Government 2016-2020 strategy highlights that the cost to individuals impacted by VAWG cannot be measured, but the cost to the economy can be calculated and is considerable. Sylvia Walby’s 2009 report into the cost of domestic violence, estimates that the provision of public services and the loss

NATIONAL of economic output, costs the UK £15.8 billion annually.

The Mayor of London 2018-2021 strategy for “Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls” highlights that “Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and the activities that cause it or are associated with it, describe a number of different crimes

LOCAL and forms of abusive behaviour. These crimes happen to women of all ages. They can happen in the home, on the streets, on public transport or online. They can happen at night or during the day”.

“Our vision is that London is a city where every woman and every girl can live in safety - where men and boys don’t think violence against women and girls is acceptable and where women and girls don’t feel it is inevitable.”

- (A Safer City for Women and Girl: The London Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2018-21. Mayor of London). 40 | HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022

TYPES OF VAWG

Domestic Abuse, Coercive behaviour is an deceives or manipulates a child Coercive and Controlling act or a pattern of acts of or young person under the Behaviour: assault, threats, humiliation age of 18 into sexual activity. and intimidation or other Girls involved in, or connected Domestic abuse is the most abuse that is used to harm, to gangs are at risk of sexual prevalent form of VAWG. punish or frighten the victim. exploitation by gang members. In 2019 the Government will finalise the Domestic Sexual violence, Sexual harassment including rape Abuse Bill which seeks to Unwanted verbal or physical make the definition of A sexual act conducted conduct of a sexual nature. domestic abuse statutory. with someone else without It can take place anywhere, their consent. Anyone can including the workplace; The current cross-Government experience sexual violence schools; the street; public definition of domestic abuse is: including: children, teens, transport; and social situations. “Any incident or pattern adults and elders. It includes flashing, obscene of incidents of controlling, Perpetrators of sexual violence and threatening calls, and coercive or threatening can be acquaintances, family online harassment. behaviour, violence or members, trusted individuals Stalking abuse between those aged or strangers. It can happen 16 or over who are or have anywhere - in the family/ Repeated harassment causing been intimate partners or household, workplace, public fear, alarm or distress. It family members regardless spaces, social settings, during can include threatening of gender or sexuality.” war/conflict situations. phone calls, texts or letters; damaging property; watching This can encompass, Sexual exploitation and/or following a victim. but is not limited to the Involves exploitative situations, following types of abuse: Prostitution and trafficking contexts and relationships • Psychological where someone receives The exchange of sex for ‘something’ such as food; money. This can occur on or • Physical drugs; alcohol; cigarettes; off the street. Prostitution • Sexual affection; or protection has many associated risks to money, as a result of them the safety, health and mental • Financial performing, and/or another health of women and girls. • Emotional or others performing on Women and girls can be forced them, sexual activities. into, coerced or deceived to Controlling behaviour is a enter into prostitution and/or range of acts designed to Violence, coercion and to keep them there. Trafficking make a person subordinate intimidation are common, involves the recruitment, and/or dependent by with exploitative relationships transportation and exploitation isolating them from sources being characterised in the of women and children for of support, exploiting their main by the person’s limited the purposes of prostitution resources and capacities availability of choice resulting and domestic servitude across for personal gain, depriving from their social/economic the international borders them of the means needed and/or emotional vulnerability. and within countries. for independence, resistance Child sexual exploitation is a and escape and regulating form of , where an their everyday behaviour. individual or group coerces, HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022 | 41

Harmful Practices: Female genital Forced marriage mutilation (FGM) So called ‘honour’ A marriage conducted based violence (HBV) Female genital mutilation without the valid consent (FGM) comprises all procedures of one or both parties, Violence committed to protect that involve partial or total where duress is a factor. or defend the “honour” of a removal of the external female family and/or community. genitalia, or other injury to Breast ironing Women, especially young the female genital organs Breast ironing is a practice women, are the most common for non-medical reasons. in which the of targets, often where they have pubescent girls are pounded acted outside community FGM has been classified by using tools such as spatulas, boundaries of perceived the World Health Organisation grinding stones, hot stones, acceptable feminine/sexual into 4 main types: and hammers, as a means of behaviour. In extreme cases, Type 1 – Clitoridectomy: partial delaying their development the woman may be killed. or total removal of the clitoris and in the belief that it Faith based abuse (a small, sensitive and erectile is protecting girls from part of the female genitals) rape and other types of Child abuse linked to faith or and, in very rare cases, only unwanted male attention. belief. This includes a belief the prepuce (the fold of skin in concepts of witchcraft and surrounding the clitoris). spirit possessions, demons or the devil acting through Type 2 – Excision: partial or children or leading them total removal of the clitoris astray (traditionally seen in and the labia minora, with or some Christian beliefs), the without excision of the labia evil eye or djinns (traditionally majora (the labia are the ‘lips’ known in some Islamic faith that surround the vagina). contexts) and dakini (in the Type 3 – : Hindu context); ritual or muti narrowing of the vaginal murders where the killing of opening through the creation children is believed to produce of a covering seal. The seal potent magical remedies; is formed by cutting and and use of belief in magic or repositioning the inner, or witchcraft to create fear in outer, labia, with or without children to make them more removal of the clitoris. compliant when they are being trafficked for domestic Type 4 – Other all other slavery or sexual exploitation. harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non- medical purposes, e.g. pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterising the genital area. 42 | HACKNEY’S VAWG STRATEGY 2019-2022

Acknowledgement of those involved in We also want to give special thanks to our the public consultation specialist community-based violence against women and girls partners: We would like to thank all those who participated in the public consultation, for their valuable and helpful Claudia Jones Organisation feedback, reflections and recommendations for this DeafHope and Young DeafHope from SignHealth strategy. East London Rape Crisis Galop, the LGBT+ anti-violence charity The following events were held that supported the Hawa Trust public consultation: Hestia • A one day event for professionals from IMECE Turkish Women’s Centre mainstream and community based organisations. Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation This was co-delivered and facilitated by the Chairs Jewish Women’s Aid of the VAWG Board, City & Hackney Safeguarding Latin American Women’s Aid Children Board and City & Hackney Safeguarding Latin American Women’s Rights Service Adults Board. London Gypsies and Travellers Nia Ending Violence • Two focus groups with survivors of domestic abuse, Open Doors facilitated by Refuge and Hestia women and Refuge children's refuges. Rise Community Action Sistah Space • A mixed gender group of young people facilitated Solace Women’s Aid by Young Hackney. Stonewall Housing • A focus group with perpetrators of domestic Survivors UK, male rape and sexual abuse abuse, facilitated by the perpetrator programme Victim Support coordinator for Hackney. Woman’s Trust Produced by Hackney Design, Communications & Print • June 2019 • HD9063