TACKLING DOMESTIC ABUSE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE
The Commissioner has made it absolutely clear that we need to do more to address what are some of the most heinous crimes criminals can inflict, and deliver better results for victims.
Our response to Domestic Abuse and Sexual Offences forms a key part of our Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy.
An important part of this is strengthening the investigations we carry out to ensure timely prosecutions, working with the courts to ensure that we deliver justice, at the soonest possible time.
New investment and ways of working have helped as we strive to do this, with rates favourable when compared to the national picture, but more progress is needed.
The Constabulary strive to be victim centred, suspect focused and context-led in their approach to Domestic Abuse and Sexual Offences. They continue to improve support for victim-survivors of domestic and sexual violence or abuse; are committed to conducting robust risk assessments and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable through timely, rigorous investigation and utilisation of the full range of tools available.
In the past year, they have collaborated with national, regional and local change programmes to constantly develop the service offered to victims.
Safeguarding Boards for Children and Adults have also been restructured to ensure that they are focused on the voice of the victim and child, alongside a restructured vulnerability command to ensure clear strategic and tactical partnerships across the portfolio.
2023/24 Highlights
Operation Soteria
The Office have continued to engage with Operation Soteria as one of 14 Expansion Forces. We have increased the number of rape suspects charged and sent to Court (50% year on-year increase) whilst improving the support offered to victims.
Domestic Abuse Matters Training
The Domestic Abuse Matters training got underway in conjunction with SafeLives. Over the coming months, the programme will deliver bespoke DA training to over 1,300 police officers and staff.
The ‘DA in a Day campaign’ was also launched to ensure officers have a clear understanding of the community’s expectations of the police: respond quickly, arrest when appropriate, protect the victim, investigate thoroughly, and achieve a positive outcome in a timely manner.
Dedicated RASSO teams increasing prosecutions
The three dedicated Rape and Serious Sexual Assault (RASSO) teams reached another milestone, since being set up in April 2022.
Funding from the Commissioner saw more than 40 extra officers join existing colleagues to form a dedicated RASSO team based in each police division.
They have worked hard to improve the outcomes for victims and drive- up conviction rates in the county and the Commissioner is pleased to see his additional investment, alongside the creation of these dedicated teams, is already having a positive impact across the county in bringing offenders to justice.
Importantly, these teams are working to ensure that victims receive the best possible service from their police force and going after those perpetrating these vile crimes.
Lancashire have also developed a one-week Rape and Serious Sexual Offence (RASSO) training programme, integrating material developed by the College of Policing, delivered to 90% of specialist RASSO investigators.
£745k to tackle Domestic Abuse through perpetrator programme
In 2023 the Commissioner secured £745k to tackle domestic abuse in Lancashire, funding the ‘Drive Project’ which aims to reduce the number of persistent reoffenders and reduce harm caused to victims and their children.
The Drive Project is being delivered by Victim Support in close partnership with other local services to achieve long term behaviour change and reduce incidents of domestic abuse.
It focuses on breaking the cycle of abuse by working with the most high-risk, serial perpetrators of domestic abuse with the aim of stopping them from causing harm to those closest to them.
Other areas of the country where the Drive Project has been operating have seen a significant reduction in the use of abuse amongst service users. An independent evaluation of
the project undertaken by the University of Bristol found that as a result of the intervention the number of perpetrators using physical abuse reduced by 82%; sexual abuse reduced by 88%; harassment and stalking behaviours reduced by 75%; and jealous and controlling behaviours reduced by 73%.
The programme has Home Office funding until March 31, 2025, and is being fully evaluated by Professor Michelle McManus, from Manchester Metropolitan University, to ensure Lancashire can learn how best to develop the intervention going forward.
- 6 high risk perpetrators have been referred into the service
- 602 interventions have been carried out with other agencies
Drug and alcohol services, children’s social care, adult social care, probation, victims’ services, housing, community safety and police all attend the Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Panel and carry out interventions to disrupt the abusive behaviour.
All victims are contacted by the Domestic Abuse Liaison Officer and offered the support of an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA). The Domestic Abuse Victim Liaison Officer acts as the voice of the victim and is engaged with the perpetrator’s case manager throughout the process.
increase in DA investigations achieving a positive outcome
increase in number of DA suspects arrested
of rape investigations resulted in a charge, an increase from 7.3% in 2022/23
disclosures made under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme
Domestic Violence Protection Orders obtained
Domestic Abuse victims and families referred for further support
High risk perpetrators allocated to the service
Associated victims/ survivors
Associated children
Interventions carried out with other agencies
Operation Provide
The Commissioner continues to commit funding to Operation Provide across all three policing divisions, ensuring high quality safeguarding support to the county’s most at-risk victims of domestic abuse.
Repeat, high-risk victims are the focus of this operation, with the principle seeing Independent domestic violence Advisors (IDVAs) carry out joint work with the Constabulary’s safeguarding teams to offer face-to-face support and advice to victims at the earliest opportunity.
Professor Michelle McManus conducted a full evaluation of the programme in the last year, creating a suite of recommendations as to how we can improve and develop the support we offer through this unique programme.
Grant Funding
Grant funding has continued to be provided to support delivery of services within the domestic abuse and sexual violence sector.
This funding has enabled the Commissioner to support delivery of counselling sessions for domestic abuse victims, bespoke support for trans victims and specialised IDVAs who can support victims from minoritised communities.
This additional funding, secured through the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), is vital to support the diverse service landscape in Lancashire and ensure we can meet demand from victim- survivors across the county.
MoJ funding for 2023/24 supported 28,630 victims of Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence:
- 17,301 concluded support and exited the service
- 4,468 felt better able to cope and build resilience to move forward with daily life
- 1,575 were referred on to mental health support as a result of the crime.
Jess
Jess was referred to The DEN following a high- risk incident, which was heard at a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARRAC). During the incident Jess’s father physically assaulted mum, who had visible injuries as a result. Jess was present during this incident and attempted to intervene.
Jess was offered practical and emotional support on a weekly basis for six weeks. Safety planning was completed which showed that Jess had a good understanding of keeping herself safe and was able to identify support networks within
the family. Jess was at an alternative education setting during completion of support due to low attendance caused by worries about leaving her mum at home alone.
As rapport was built in each session Jess seemed to open up more about her experience of domestic abuse. It became evident that there were some stalking behaviours perpetrated by dad following bail conditions coming to an end. Conversations were had with mum around these concerns and a request for support referral was made to PALADIN (national stalking advocacy) for support, for both mum and Jess.
Mum did move out of area with the younger children and Jess stayed with grandparents to complete her year in school before moving on to college.
Towards the end of support Jess opened up about her feelings and anxieties of not being able to feel she could leave mum. It was felt further support would be beneficial for Jess in terms of her emotional well-being. Youth therapy referral was discussed with Jess, and she agreed to be referred.
Upon sessions coming to a close, Jess was being supported by PALADIN and on the waiting list for Youth Therapy. Jess was aware of her safety plan as well as her support networks she could reach out to moving forward. Jess had been accepted onto her college course and spoke about the support really helping her.
“The support from The Den was great. At the start I didn’t really think I needed it, but it has helped me so much. Thank you.”
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The Office of the PCC for Lancashire
County Hall Preston
PR1 0LD
Email: commissioner@lancashire-pcc.gov.uk
