News and Updates
News & Updates
Facebook Instagram LinkedInLearning Legacies: An Analysis of Domestic Homicide Reviews in Cases of Domestic Abuse Suicide
Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA) have compiled a series of practical resources to help professionals better understand the link between domestic abuse and suicide, and to improve the response to suicide after domestic abuse.
AAFDA WebsiteSupport for Blind or Partially Sighted People
SafeLives have released a toolkit entitled ‘Responding to Victims/Survivors of Domestic Abuse who are Blind or Partially Sighted’, to improve support received by victims/survivors or domestic abuse in the UK who are blind or partially sighted. The toolkit gives details for support services, resources and additional literature/research.
Beacon Centre for the Blind in Wolverhampton have also co-produced a toolkit with blind and partially sighted people who have experienced challenges in accessing domestic abuse support, particularly within refuge settings. It aims to enable domestic abuse charities to feel confident to support visually impaired victims/survivors and to make services fully accessible to them.
SafeLives Beacon Centre For The BlindAutistic Guide to Healthy Relationships
Durham University have co-produced an ‘Autistic Guide to Healthy Relationships’. The guide has been written by a team including academics and autistic advocates, and is designed to help autistic people recognise the signs of abusive or unhealthy relationships. It is based on testimonials and experiences shared with the team by autistic people.
Autistic Guide to Healthy RelationshipsCost-of-Living Increases and Support
With the cost-of-living continuing to increase this winter, some tips on saving money on your energy bills are available from the link in the button. Links are also provided to National Energy Action (NEA), Citizens Advice, Groundwork, The Priority Services Register and Safer Homes Carbon Monoxide Alarms.
Each local authority has a webpage to help residents needing support with the cost-of-living (including links to Warm Spaces):
Surviving Economic Abuse have also produced a webpage of useful information for those for whom the cost-of-living increases have escalated or led to domestic abuse.
Cutting the Cost of Keeping Warm posterBDAP Recognition Award
Do you know someone who deserves recognition for their work in helping support those affected by domestic abuse in Bedfordshire?
To submit your nomination, please email bdap@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk by the 31st December with:
- Your name
- The name of the person/team you would like to nominate
- Reason for the nomination
- Contact details for the nominee(s), including email address and phone number
Each special nominee will then receive a certificate of recognition on behalf of the BDAP.
Emergency Alert Risk
The Government is introducing Emergency Alerts. These will contact people via their mobile device in the event of an emergency that will put lives at risk, such as in public health emergencies, severe floods, fires, and industrial actions. Alerts will be accompanied by a loud sound, even if the device is on silent.
For those living within an abusive household, this could increase risk by alerting others in the household that people have separate or secret phones.
Please see the Government’s National Emergency Alert Toolkit and Q&A documents for more information.
Refuge Video on How to Disable AlertsNew 24/7 support service for victims of rape launched
On 7th December 2022, a new service launched to provide victims of rape in England and Wales access to around the clock support through the 24/7 Support Line. This service has been developed and launched by Rape Crisis.
This can be accessed by telephone on 0808 500 2222 and on webchat at www.247sexualabusesupport.org.uk
The service provides specialist operators who can provide victims with vital information and emotional support, including signposting to local, longer term services such as Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA). The service is aiming to support victims, encourage more prosecutions and deliver a key government pledge.
Under 16s who access the support line will be listened to and guided to appropriate alternative services.
More information from gov.ukStand Up Against Harassment, Bystander Training
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust have partnered with L’Oréal Paris to provide expert approved ‘Stand Up Against Street Harassment’ training programme by Right To Be. More information, including how to book, can be found here.
Sessions are one hour long and free to attend, it aims to upskill and empower individuals across various settings to help defuse situations, discourage harassers and support victims.
More Information and to book a placeDomestic Violence Disclosure Scheme
The Home Office are currently seeking views on the updated draft of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme Guidance, often referred to as “Clare’s Law”.
The consultation is aimed at:
- criminal justice services, including courts, prisons, police forces, police and crime commissioners
- English and Welsh local authorities
- services for forms of violence against women and girls including any specialist domestic abuse services (this will include services serving men and boys)
- local housing and homelessness teams, registered social landlords
- early years, childcare, schools, colleges and higher education settings
- healthcare sector
- clinical Commissioning Groups (from 2022, Integrated Care Systems)
- adult social care and children’s social care providers
- employers and jobcentres
- HM Prison and Probation services
- HM Courts and Tribunals Service
- community and faith groups
- any other interested stakeholders, including victims and users of support and prevention services
Please go to Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme guidance – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) for more information, to find the draft documents (including in accessible, easy read and BSL formats) and to respond to the consultation.
Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme guidanceGovernment Publications
This week, the Government published several Policy Papers and Guidance documents around domestic abuse and related matters.
These include:
- The Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan
- The Violence Against Women and Girls National Statement of Expectations and Commissioning Toolkit
- Supporting Male Victims of Crimes Considered Violence Against Women and Girls
- The Right to Choose: Government Guidance on Forced Marriage
The Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan sets out the government’s approach to tackling domestic abuse, they hope to drive down the prevalence of domestic abuse and domestic homicide and provide victims/survivors with the support they need. It also delivers on the government’s statutory duty to deliver a strategy for the prosecution and management of domestic abuse perpetrators.
The Violence Against Women and Girls National Statement of Expectations outlines how local authorities can commission effective services for crimes which disproportionately affect women and girls. The Toolkit element provides practical guidance on this.
Supporting Male Victims of Crimes Considered Violence Against Women and Girls replaces the Male Victims Position Statement published in 2019. It sits alongside the previously mentioned publications and reiterates the government’s commitment to ensuring male victims of crimes which disproportionately affect women and girls are supported.
The Right to Choose: Government Guidance on Forced Marriage has also been published this week and provides guidance on forced marriage. It includes statutory guidance for heads of safeguarding organisations, and non-statutory guidance for front-line professionals.
All published information on gov.uk about Domestic AbuseDomestic abuse: how to get help
The Government get help webpage has been updated to include translations into a wider variety of different languages including: Arabic, Bangla, Chinese, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Persian, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, Urdu and Welsh.
Click here to view the Government Guidence and Support pageShort Films
Surfaces
A film commissioned by Refuge depicting a brutal portrayal of domestic abuse and hope now that the survivor has left.
Watch hereDomestic Abuse Act
Mel B and Sam Mackay star in Fabio D’Andrea’s short film music video ‘Love Should Not Hurt’
This video is made in support of Women’s Aid.
Click here to watch‘Honour’ – ITV’s drama about the murder of Banaz Mahmoud
This drama based on the police investigation tells the events leading up to the murder, by members of her family of 20 year old Banaz. Please be advised that the programme contains graphic descriptions of the experiences of Banaz.
Click here to watchPromise
This film accompanied by a rap soundtrack describes how Sarah becomes the tragic victim of fatal domestic abuse carries out by the man she loves.
Watch hereOne Year
In 5 minutes watch what it is like to go through a domestic abuse case
Watch herePanorama – Escaping my Abuser
Home is not always a safe place. Panorama investigates what the ‘Stay at Home’ pandemic rule meant for those trapped with an abusive partner. Please be aware this film contains descriptions that are distressing.
Click here to watchOlder articles
Childline’s new tool helps young people remove nude images shared online
The NSPCC’s service for children and young people, Childline, has launched the Report Remove tool with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) to help young people remove nude images of themselves from the internet.
Click here for more informationDomestic Abuse Act
On 29th April 2021, the Domestic Abuse Bill was signed in to law. The Act aims to provide further protections to the millions of people who experience domestic abuse, as well as strengthen the measures to disrupt perpetrators.
Click here to readVictoria Cilliers story
Victoria survived against the odds after her husband tried to kill her by tampering with her parachute before she took a 4000 foot jump. Hear her story on BBC Radio 4 Woman’s HourClick here to listen
Domestic Abuse Podcasts – Undiscussable
Listen to the weekly podcasts that have also been included on Talk Radio to raise awareness of how domestic abuse impacts all areas of society.
Click here to listenSafeLives Survey
The survey found that two thirds of those experiencing domestic abuse afraid to seek help during lockdown
Read the article hereBBC News
Coronavirus: Domestic Abuse short film in which survivors talk about their experiences in lockdown
Watch hereHome Office Domestic Abuse Campaign translated materials
Click on the button to download materials in different languages to raise awareness of domestic abuse
Click here for more infoThe Domestic Abuse Bill
The Domestic Abuse Bill has had a second reading in Parliament
Read the factsheet hereDomestic Abuse, Domestic Homicide & Lockdown
Read Laura Richards article about the patterns of behaviour that we cannot ignore.
Read the article hereEmotional Abuse
Read one woman’s experience “My fiance seemed perfect-but he wanted to control me.”
Read moreForced Marriage Protection Orders
Find out how Forced Marriage Protection Orders can protect you.
Read moreLevel Up’s Guidelines
UK press regulators support Level Up’s new guidelines on how domestic abuse deaths are reported.
Read more