Domestic Abuse
Operation Encompass
Nationally
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 recognised children as victims of domestic abuse in their own right for the first time. The Act created a cross-government statutory definition of domestic abuse, to ensure that domestic abuse is properly understood, considered unacceptable and actively challenged across statutory agencies and in public attitudes - more information is available in this factsheet.
This paper from the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel sets out key findings from a thematic analysis of rapid reviews and local child safeguarding practice reviews where domestic abuse featured. It summarises the most common themes that emerged in relation to multi agency safeguarding for children who are victims of domestic abuse, and includes examples of practice and recommendations.
Locally
First Light and Barnardo’s are working in partnership to provide the integrated Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (DASV) service for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This service has been commissioned by the Safer Cornwall Partnership and offers a range of early intervention, prevention, therapy and recovery programmes to children, young people and adults affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Safer Futures - have a professionals’ line for advice on the suitability of our programmes for your client, call 0300 777 4777and select the professionals option or emailsaferfutures@firstlight.org.uk
Training available
Supporting Healthy Relationships - Parental conflict can destabilise relationships and damage children’s upbringing, potentially harming their opportunities well into the future. There is compelling evidence that conflict between parents – whether together or separated – can have a significant long term negative impact on children's mental health and long term life chances. Not all conflict is damaging, but when it is frequent, intense, and poorly resolved it can harm children's outcomes.
More information is available here about Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence training from Safer Cornwall.
Related Guidance & Further Reading
For schools
Operation Encompass aims to reduce the long-term impacts of domestic abuse by providing early intervention and support.
When the police attend incidents of domestic violence or abuse where children are directly or indirectly involved, they notify the designated safeguarding lead at the child’s school before the start of the next school day. The safeguarding lead then makes sure the child gets the immediate support that they need.
Training is also offered to school staff - teaching them to identify and support children affected by domestic abuse. Anyone from a school or education organisation can register for access to a free, online training package on the Operation Encompass website or call the Operation Encompass Teachers' National Helpline 8.00am to 11.00am Monday to Friday on 0204 513 9990. It offers free advice to teachers from educational or clinical psychologists on how best to support individual children. They can also discuss whole school policies and practices about supporting children experiencing domestic abuse.
Early intervention and education around healthy relationships are key in challenging and changing social norms that contribute to domestic abuse, sexual violence and violence against women and girls. Read this 2 minute guide about healthy relationships education locally from Safer Futures.
Violence Against Women & Girls
“Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is any form of violence disproportionately perpetrated by men against women and girls. It is deeply linked to gender inequality and includes rape and other sexual offences; domestic abuse, stalking and harassment; so called ‘honour-based’ abuse; forced marriage’ female genital mutilation (FGM); exploitation; ‘upskirting’; and online abuse including ‘revenge porn’.
Men and boys can also be victims of some of these forms of violence and abuse with some feeling unable to report their experiences because of societal views around masculinity. It is important that this is challenged and support is available but it does not mean that violence isn’t gendered.
Acts of violence against women and girls are interconnected and part of a spectrum of violence that is underpinned by inequality, male power and control. Each act reinforces that VAWG is a ‘normal’ experience that is tolerated in society.” (VAWG Strategy 2023 - 2028)
In 2023 we held a cross-partnership conference about healthy relationships for adults, children and young people, addressing the root causes of domestic abuse, sexual violence and violence against women and girls in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (CIOS). You can view the videos from the conference here.