Liverpool review

When a perpetrator of ‘domestic violence’ has been arrested and bail is a consideration, either following or prior to any charge, then the application of conditions to keep the subject away from the victim and ensure their safety, must be applied.

During the initial investigation of anti-social behaviour complaints, SLH will confirm the identity of any person present at the property at that time.

GPs should make routine enquiries about domestic circumstances when conducting any assessment regarding mental health, drug or alcohol misuse. There are templates designed for use when patients present with mental health problems. Psychosocial, family and environmental aspects are included. The presence of abusive relationships is not specifically questioned.

When dealing with repeated low key ‘domestic incidents’ that involve alcohol abuse as a continued factor, then interventions and referrals to other agencies must be considered.

Consideration should be given to conducting a home visit where there is a request for support and historical records indicate a potential issue at the property.

When there is information available indicating that an individual is abusing the benefit system, then details of that abuse must be shared with the Department of Works and Pensions.

Refresher training to be given to all staff who record details of initial referrals relating to anti-social behaviour, to re-iterate the importance of capturing times of incidents.

When a person has been remanded to the custody of the courts and there is information available indicating that the person may be a suicide risk, then that information should be fully documented under the risk section of the Person Escort Record (PER) form that accompanies them to court and / or prison. It should also be highlighted personally to those other custodians.

When arrests and subsequent charges are made in relation to ‘domestic incidents’ and alcohol abuse is a contributing and continued factor, then officers dealing must ensure that the court is informed of this and consideration be given to applying for the necessary Alcohol Treatment Referral Order (ATRO) as part of a community service order.

The current Force ‘Domestic Abuse’ Policy and Procedure should be amended at paragraph 10.2 to reflect that the subsequent interventions will be considered when a victim withdraws their allegation even before a suspect has been arrested. At present it is ambiguous and appears to indicate that such interventions can only be considered after charge.

There should be review of current guidance in relation to repeat domestic incidents. The review should consider the following areas: Does current policy and procedure ensure appropriate escalation, when the police are called repeatedly to ‘low level’ incidents, when risk may be assessed as bronze? Should there be a secondary trigger point resulting in automatic escalation (e.g. referral into MARAC, Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) or referral for IDVA services) if there a certain number of incidents, within a specified period? If so, what is the appropriate trigger point? (e.g. 3 incidents within 6 months). Where there is evidence of mutual violence, should all incidents involving the same couple (regardless of recorded ‘victim / perpetrator roles) be counted in relation to the above bullet point?

There should be a review of policy, guidance and training needs in relation to: Domestic violence risk assessments, with a focus on circumstances where there is evidence that a victim has withdrawn a statement under direct threat and coercion by the perpetrator. Ensuring that alleged victims are not interviewed in the presence of alleged perpetrators.

There should be a review of referral systems and communications between Merseyside Police and Liverpool ASC, to establish why the police referral for mental health services was not received, or (if received) was not recorded by ASC and acted on.

Liverpool CCG should ask to the GP practice to review and report back on local domestic violence guidance and practice, in the light of learning from this case. The review should consider: How primary care records may be flagged, to ensure that GPs are aware of evidence that a patient may be a perpetrator or victim of domestic violence. Pro-active enquiry into potential relationship problems and domestic abuse risks with patients who have mental health problems, alcohol dependencies, chaotic lifestyles, or other known risk factors. Any training needs relating to the above two points.