Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015

“Ask & Act”

group 2 training

Toilets

Breaks

Taking care of yourself and each other

Mobile phones

Housekeeping...

- Confidentiality

- Do you need support?

- Respect

- Agreement

Any others?

Ground rules...

- Name

- Job title

- One thing you’d like to learn today

Introductions...

Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015

What does the Act do?

The Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual

Violence (Wales) Act 2015 centres on the PREVENTION of these

issues, the PROTECTION of victims and SUPPORT for those

affected by these issues.

This is a unique and ground-breaking piece of legislation.

What are these sessions about? (sent out in email in advance of the training)

- How to recognise the signs and symptoms of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence;

- Understand the purpose of and demonstrate an ability to undertake targeted enquiry.

- Demonstrate knowledge around data protection and the duty of confidentiality;

- Understand the purpose of risk identification in relation to some forms of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence;

- Be able to implement the targeted enquiry care pathway.

The language we use

- Victim / survivor

- Perpetrator / offender / abuser

- Client / service user

- "Ask“ and “Act”

- People with a disability / the

disabled

- Domestic abuse

- Sexual violence

- Gender Based Violence &

Violence Against Women

- VAWDASV

- FGM, FM, & HBV

Benefits of “Ask and Act”Increased identification of those experiencing violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence by using targeted enquiry.

Increased referrals to specialist services for those identified;

An improved culture across the Welsh Public Service where identification of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence is an accepted area of business and where disclosure is supported, accepted and facilitated.

Earlier identification ensures support services are available at the earliest opportunity, rather than just at the point of crisis!

Child protection.

Early intervention can

reduce impacts –

including death.

Good clinical practice.

Silence is not neutral.

Victims want to be asked.

Helps to reduce

stigma and isolation.

Signals service as

somewhere that help

can be gained.

Targeted enquiry – why?

Prevalence of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence

Conditioning/

NormalisationDependency Entrapment

Entrapment process

Coercive Control- Underpins violence and abuse.

- Most victims of abuse experience coercive control rather than isolated

physical assaults alone.

- Victims often state that the coercive control is far more devastating than

physical assaults.

- Instills fear, dependence, compliance and shame.

Ending the abuse

Ending the relationship

Distortion of

perspective/reality

Defining the abuse

Managing the

situation

Re-evaluating

the relationship

Six Stages of Leaving – Liz Kelly

Group activity

What might be some of the barriers for professionals

to make a targeted enquiry about one of the following:

- Sexual violence

- Female genital mutilation

- Forced marriage

- Domestic abuse

What might be some of the barriers for service users/survivors to

make a disclosure about VAWDASV?

In your groups respond to two questions:

Survivors said they want To be given help to get themselves and their children

safeTo be treated

with dignity and respect

For professionals to know that abuse is universal; is more than physical assaults; is about power and control and affects the whole family and how hard it is to disclose.

To be believed

How might you encourage disclosure?

Think about…

- Indicators;

- The environment/creating a supportive environment;

- What the client may be feeling;

- What barriers the worker may create.

Build rapport- Use the person’s name where possible

- Be polite and sympathetic

- Use active listening

- Agree with them to encourage talking

- Do not tell them what to do

- Let them know they are doing the right thing by telling you

- Let them know you are taking them seriously

- Do not act shocked or appear as if you do not believe them

In your department/area of work what would you identify as the

key indicators?

Key indicators?

Of abuse or associated

impacts (such as anxiety or

depression).

Symptoms

The presence of some other

information which suggests

the experience of abuse.

Cues

Where asking all clients is

considered good practices.

Settings

The four types of indicators

Indicators

Taken from “Ask and Act”: A practitioners guide, Welsh Government 2017

Signs

The potential outward &

physical signs someone is

experiencing VAWDASV.

- Constant accompaniment by partner

- Partner exerting unusual amount of control

or demands over interactions with service

- Reliance on partner for decision making

- Worried about leaving children at home

with partner or family

- Partner or ex-partner exerting unusual

amount of control or demands over clients

schedule

Socio Cultural Signs

- Changes in attitude or behaviour

- Constant accompaniment by

partner

- Obsession with timekeeping

- Secretive regarding home life

- Social isolation

- Unexplained injuries

- Change in the pattern or amount of make-up

used

- Change in the manner of dress: for example,

clothes which do not suit the climate which

may be used to hide injuries

- Substance use/misuse

- Fatigue/sleep disorders

Physical Signs

Taken from “Ask and Act”: A practitioners guide, Welsh Government 2017

- Cancelled or frequently not attending appointments

- Never allowed alone, partner or family member present

- Traumatic injury, particularly if repeated with vague or

implausible explanations

- Depression, anxiety, sleep issues

- Suicidal tendencies or self-harming

- Alcohol or other substance misuse

- Chronic pain (unexplained)

Key indicators Social Services

- Children known to Social Services

- Not being able to meet anywhere public

- Reluctance to speak of personal matters

- Always seeming afraid or nervous

- Physical injuries

- Not wanting to meet at house

Key indicators EducationPupils

- Visible Bruising or Injury

- Vaginal bleeding or sexually transmitted infections;

- Change in behaviour

- Disengagement from school

- Tiredness

- Underachievement

- Overachievement/Perfectionism

- Absence/long holidays

- Not wanting to leave school

- Information from other services

Adults – Parents/Staff

- Visible Bruising or Injury

- Change in behaviour

- Disengagement from school/work

- Tiredness

- Absence/long holidays

- Working Late / unable to stay late

- Information from other colleagues/parents

- Rent Arrears

- Financial difficulties

- Damage to property

- Anti social behaviour call outs

- Requests for changes to tenancy agreements

- Requests to move/exchange property

- Isolation

Key indicators Housing

Eating disorder

Substance abuse /

dependency Depression

Self-harm

Mental illness such as

Borderline Personality

Disorder

Rape Trauma

Syndrome

Panic

disorder/anxiety

PTSD /

flashbacksIndicators:

sexual violence

Sexual Violence & Mental Health

Survivors of sexual abuse also

faced several additional vulnerabilities

including having experienced domestic

abuse (15%) and being at risk of

childhood sexual exploitation (5%)

alongside commonly having been

abused multiple times during their life

(multiple victimisation).

Anxiety

22.5%

Depression

21.2%

Difficulty Sleeping

17.3%

Flashbacks

11.8%

Self-Harm

11.1%

Attempted Suicide

9.5%

Panic Attacks

6.5%

At the point of accessing

a service, a large proportion

of survivors reported

mental health issues.

Cues

A piece of information or pattern of behavior which merits enquiry.

To “Ask and Act” is not to interrogate, but where a cue is observed or received, a professional should make appropriate enquiry.

Settings- Mental health

- Maternal and post partum settings

- Settings dealing with concerns about child abuse or neglect

- Sexual health services

- Workplace

Video clipHow to ask and respond...

Questions that work

Has anyone…

How...

We know that…

Has your partner…

I can see…

Do you ever…

In pairs – think about

questions you might

ask in your setting,

and now think of a

follow-up question.

- ‘Thank you for telling me…’

- ‘I believe you…’

- ‘What you have described is not uncommon…’

- ‘You are not to blame for the violence / abuse / what happened to you…’

- ‘Your safety and wellbeing is my priority…’

- ‘You have the right to be safe and get support…’

- ‘You have the right to feel the way you do and to talk about it…’

- ‘You are the expert on what you need…’

- ‘There is help available…’

Responding to disclosures

For many survivors, just having someone

listen to them, is all they need.

- Judge

- Deny

- Blame

- Disbelieve

- Tell them what to do

- Act without client knowledge (and preferably, do not act without

consent)

Do not behave like the abuserThis means do not:

Risk factors for violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence- What do we mean by risk?

- Why is it important to identify risk?

- What are some of the most significant risk factors associated with

cases of serious harm or death in relation to domestic abuse?

Additional resources available:

Refer to an IDVA/ISVA/IPA (add local details);

Refer to Welsh Women’s Aid / local specialists (handout with local information);

Refer to your group 3 champion;

Refer to your Safeguarding Lead;

Ensure they have the national helpline (give out cards/pamphlets).

Key issues for survivors + safety, housing, money & children – you might need to link into other agencies (refer to handout). Not expecting you to be experts….Group 3.

Unless your organisation requires it - YOU ARE NOT EXPECTED TO complete

the RISK identification form – ASK FOR SUPPORT AND ADVICE.

Gathering & Sharing Information Legislation- Data Protection Act (2018) - Prevention and detection of a crime and/or the apprehension or prosecution of offenders & General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

- Human Rights Act (1998) – e.g. Right to life, right to be free from torture or inhuman or degrading treatment – Articles 2 & 3

- Children’s Act (1989)- disclosure to CYPS or the Police for the exercise of functions under the Children Act – Schedules 2 & 3, DPA

- Crime & Disorder Act (1998) – prevention and detection of crime

- Common Law Duty to act.

National helpline

(professionals can also call the helpline for advice)

AVAILABLE TWENTY FOUR HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A

WEEK – FREE OF CHARGE.

Local Referral Pathway

Skills Practice

Your trainers will create a scenario where one is a service user, and the

other is a service provider.

Your role is to help the service provider to Ask & Act effectively.

Follow the trainers prompts, and using the knowledge and skills

developed today, help them to create a safe and conducive environment

for the service user to disclose.

Skills PracticeYou will all be working as a group of 3.

You will receive the information about an individual.

You’ll have 5 minutes to consider 3 key questions to ask.

You will then have the opportunity to ask your questions to the facilitator.

Dependant on your questions you may be able to complete the pathway.Consider carefully what you need to know.

Consider how to engage with the person as highlighted earlier in todays session.

Fill in the form/check the pathway….

Be aware of multiple needs, but also multiple disadvantage;

Consider the appropriateness of the risk assessment tool you are using;

If you need more information, for example, about forced marriage or

working with LGBT community then ask your Group 3 champion or

contact specialist services for more advice;

Use your referral pathway, ensure your decisions are documented and

information stored in line with your policy.

What to remember from the skillspractice:

Key messages:ASK consistently and ACT confidently;

Get as much information as you can about what services

and support are available;

Seek help and support from colleagues, your group 3 champion,

Safeguarding Leads, VAWDASV Leads, workplace champions, specialist

sector – there is a lot of support;

Leaving can be a very dangerous time for a victim and escalates their risk

– SEEK EXPERT ADVICE to ensure a client is supported through this

process.

Ask & Act Group 2End of the full day version of

Ask & Act (group 2 professionals)

Diolch yn fawr - Thank you