Issue - meetings

          The Board considered a report regarding the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Service and the activities being supported across the Borough. The report was presented by the Domestic Abuse Manager.  

          In January 2023, the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Service transferred to the Council and the three elements to the service were:

·       Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVA’s).  The main purpose of this service was to address the safety of victims at high risk of harm from intimate partners, ex-partners or family members to secure their safety and the safety of their children.

·       Domestic Abuse Accommodation Service.  In January 2023, this service was awarded to SHAP, a Charity that had provided housing and supported young and vulnerable people across Merseyside for over 40 years.  The purpose was to reduce the impact of domestic abuse on individuals, families and the community and to enable people of all ages affected by domestic abuse to be safer to cope and to recover. 

·       Listening Ear Domestic Abuse Services for Children, Young People and Families.  This service responded to children and young people who had been impacted by domestic abuse and would contribute to a co-ordinated approach.  It provided a “DiAmond”, a therapeutic service for children, young people and families where domestic abuse had been an issue within 12 months of a referral.  This was an enhanced service offer in Halton which included therapeutic interventions and counselling for children and young people affected.  Eligibility was for children and young people who resided in Halton and for those aged up to 25 years if they had additional needs.  The referral pathway came via MARAC, Integrated Contact and Referral Team screening and domestic abuse supported accommodation requests.

Arising from discussions, it was noted that:

·       A Partnership event had been arranged to take place on 5 April 2023 to review the Halton Domestic Abuse Partnership Strategy and formalise its action plan.  Members were invited to attend and further details would be circulated in due course.

·       There needed to be a better understanding of how technology could help victims of abuse.

·       Members raised concerns that there needed to be more support in place to help parents who were victims of abuse from their child. 

·       There had been a marked deterioration of behaviour and discipline in schools since the Pandemic.  The Chair said he would be interested to see a research paper on this issue. 

          RESOLVED: That the report be noted.