Domestic Abuse

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Domestic Abuse Referral Pathway [PDF]

Domestic abuse referral pathway for children and young people

Domestic abuse STOP PACK for professionals

Domestic Abuse can be defined as: "Any incident of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality”

How does it affect children?

Children are victims of domestic abuse in their own right. They may be present during incidents of abuse, become caught in the middle while trying to intervene, hear abuse taking place from another room, or witness the physical and emotional impact on a parent afterwards. Children can also be affected by a parent's controlling or coercive behaviour towards the other parent, such as restricting contact with family members or preventing participation in everyday activities and opportunities.

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 formally recognised children and young people as victims of domestic abuse in their own right where they see, hear, experience the effects of, or are related to a person who is subjected to domestic abuse. Living in a home where domestic abuse occurs can have a significant impact on a child's emotional wellbeing, mental health, behaviour, and development, with effects that can continue into adulthood.

It is estimated that one in seven children will experience domestic abuse at some point in their childhood.

This legal recognition reinforces the importance of identifying, listening to, and supporting children affected by domestic abuse, ensuring their voices, needs, and safety are central to any assessment, decision-making, and planning.

The interplay between domestic abuse, substance misuse and mental health in families

Research shows that each of these issues can have damaging consequences for the wellbeing and outcomes of children; and where these issues are present together, they can indicate increased risk of harm to children.

Children who live in homes with domestic abuse and substance use are at increased risk of experiencing childhood abuse, including neglect, as well as psychological issues including withdrawal, depression, anxiety, eating and sleep disturbances, obsessive behaviour and self-harm.

When working with families where there is domestic abuse, substance misuse and mental health issues, the needs of children must be prioritised.

Adolescent to Parent Violence (APV) / Child to Parent Violence (CPV)

Adolescent to parent violence or child to parent violence can be defined as ‘abusive behaviour perpetrated against a parent by a son or daughter (who is legally recognised as a child and is most likely still living in the family home).

Abusive behaviours which are recognised to be involved in adolescent to parent violence include but are not limited to, threats, name calling, humiliation, threats to harm themselves or others, property damage, physical violence and theft (Holt, 2015).

Adolescent to parent violence is not restricted to violence by an adolescent against a parent; it extends to violence against a family member who is acting as a parent i.e. common-law in-laws, foster family, grandparents, aunt or uncle. It must be acknowledged that there is the potential for adolescent to parent violence to occur even when the adolescent does not live in the same property as their parents.

Claire's Law

Clare’s Law, also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, gives individuals the 'right to ask' police whether their current or former partner has a history of abusive or violent behaviour.

The law allows you to:

Make an application to the police requesting information about your current or ex-partner, because you are worried they may have been abusive in the past and believe they may pose a risk to you in future.
Request information from the police about the current or ex-partner of a close friend, neighbour or family member, because you are concerned that they might be at risk of domestic abuse in future.

The scheme applies to all relationships, regardless of gender, sexuality, or background, and aims to help protect people from potential harm.

Clare's Law (www.clares-law.com) 1 minute guide to Sarah and Clare's Law (PDF)

Multi-agency response to domestic abuse

Operation Encompass

Operation Encompass is a police and education early intervention safeguarding partnership which supports children and young people exposed to domestic abuse. The objective is for schools to be notified in a timely manner where children have witnessed or are present at an address where a domestic incident has taken place. This enables schools to support children. Hampshire and the IOW currently incorporates local authority and academy schools for Primary, Secondary age groups and some colleges.
Find out more (operationencompass.org)

MARAC

Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) provide a multi-agency response for high-risk domestic abuse victims where up to date risk information is combined with a comprehensive assessment of the victim’s needs. This enables appropriate services to be put in place for all those involved in the case.

How to refer to MARAC (PDF)

HRDA

The High Risk Domestic Abuse (HRDA) meetings consider the highest risk domestic abuse incidents and relocate work from Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences to the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub. This ensures families affected by domestic abuse receive a faster, coordinated response; support and interventions are provided closer to the timing of the incident; a specialist domestic abuse worker ensures the voice of the victim/survivor is represented at the planning stage and a consistent threshold is applied to high risk domestic abuse cases.

Isle of Wight Domestic Abuse Services

Professionals are encouraged to utilise the domestic abuse referral pathway to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse. The pathway provides clear steps for referrals. A jargon buster is included to clarify terms. The pathway ensures a coordinated response to domestic abuse, enhancing safety and support for all affected individuals.

Paragon is the Isle of Wight’s domestic abuse and sexual crime service provider. They also provide support and services to parents and carers who are experiencing child to parent violence. Abuse can be reported on 0800 234 6266 (free) or ParagonIOW@theyoutrust.org.uk

The Hampton Trust provide a range of services for perpetrators to encourage healthy, non-abusive relationships. To make referrals or to share intelligence for tracking and disruption purposes contact the perpetrator service on 02380 009898. Alternatively call their front door services on 0800 234 6266 or isva@hamptontrust.org.uk

The Victim Care Hub provides free, confidential support for victims of crime and those impacted by crime. Their aim is to help you cope and recover from the effects of crime, regardless of whether or not you have reported to the police.

Who's In Charge is a nine week group programme delivered by Barnardo's Family Centre staff, for parents and carers who have a child aged 8-18 who currently appear to be beyond parental control or who uses violent and abusive behaviour toward them.

Children & Young People Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (C&YPISVA) support boys and girls (between 11-17) following an experience of rape or sexual assault. They specialise in looking after young people who have suffered any unwanted sexual experience, regardless of when the incident happened, if you have reported to the police, or other characteristics such as gender or sexuality. Contact the service on 07435996248 or isva@hamptontrust.org.uk

Reducing Parental Conflict - There is growing evidence that shows parental conflict puts children's mental health and long term outcomes at risk when it is frequent, intense and poorly resolved.

Dragonfly Project - Become a Champion, receiving training to speak with confidence about domestic abuse and offer guidance to those experiencing it. You will be provided with on-going specialist support from Paragon.

Understanding Unidentified Adults Toolkit

Unidentified adults, sometimes referred to as hidden, connected or unseen adults, can have a significant impact on a child's safety and wellbeing. This toolkit has been developed to help practitioners identify, understand and assess all adults who play a role in a child's life, whether they live in the household or have regular contact with the child. Drawing on learning from local and national reviews, the toolkit provides practical tools and guidance to strengthen assessment and safeguarding practice.

Understanding Unidentified Adults Toolkit (hampshirescp.org.uk)

Domestic Abuse

Quick Links

Domestic Abuse can be defined as: "Any incident of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality”

How does it affect children?

The interplay between domestic abuse, substance misuse and mental health in families

Adolescent to Parent Violence (APV) / Child to Parent Violence (CPV)

Claire's Law

Multi-agency response to domestic abuse

Operation Encompass

MARAC

HRDA

Isle of Wight Domestic Abuse Services

Understanding Unidentified Adults Toolkit

HIPS Procedures

Organisations that can help

IOW Council Domestic Abuse

Training

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