Hammersmith and Fulham review

In order to increase identification and access to support, material that is designed for communities where there are barriers to disclosing abuse and seeking help is required. Engagement with appropriate minority community groups could facilitate both production and dissemination of such material. The material produced should be made available to all GP practices, medical centres and other venues where it may be accessible to victims.

Workplaces offer an additional context in which disclosure of abuse can be promoted. To this end, H&F to consider a campaign to encourages workplaces and employers to raise the awareness, especially amongst managers, of domestic abuse and what may be done to support employees. – A number of public sector examples of such an approach already exist, notably, that introduced by the London Borough of Hackney for the care of its own staff. See also “Employers Initiative on Domestic Abuse”

Improved, evidence-based training is required to enable social services, medical, nursing and community workers to understand the particular needs of BAME women in the context of domestic abuse/VAWG.

When recommissioning VAWG services, H&F should consider the specialist services which may be required to cater for the needs of BAME women. Implementation may be assisted with the advice and expertise of a suitable second tier specialist organisation e.g. Imkaan

NHS(E) via Medical Directors, to remind GP practices of the importance of all staff being aware of DA issues and indicators as well as the appropriate referral routes for those seeking advice.

Pursue current bids for funding to enable the Identification & Referral System to Improve Safety (IRIS) training for GPs and staff. In the absence of IRIS, training on the indicators of abuse, safe enquiry and how to respond to DA to be delivered to GP practices in the borough.

Examine the currently available material to ensure that there is not undue reliance on internet-based advice to ensure adequate advice is available to those who lack access to internet services.

H&F Children’s Services manager and social workers to consider the research around links between sexual abuse, homelessness and domestic abuse during contacts with families.

H&F social workers to explore parental relationships and make routine enquiries about domestic abuse when children make allegations of sexual abuse and/or physical abuse about parents.

H&F Children’s Services manager to ensure that dates of birth and full police checks are completed and recorded and considered as part of s47 core assessments.

H&F provide updated training to front line social workers on linking sexual abuse to domestic abuse.

VAWG providers to consider opportunities to promote specific targeted services to identified ethnic minority groups to improve disclosures of abuse and thus access to DA services.

Raise the awareness of DA amongst Housing staff and contractors of the opportunities which may be presented to identify unreported abuse.

The Home Office to support NHS(England) in commissioning IRIS nationally, thereby promoting the aims of the national “Ending Violence Against Women & Girls Strategy 2016 – 2020 (HM Government 2016).