Renfrewshire Multi Agency Training Consortium Tackling Violence Against Women and Children Domestic Abuse - Basic Awareness Women and Children First

Renfrewshire Multi Agency Training Consortium Tackling Violence Against Women and Children BASIC AWARENESS Domestic Abuse The aim of this one-day training module is o to build a solid understanding of the nature and the scope of domestic abuse as a gender based violence (GBV) o recognise its impact on those who experience it o providing delegates with the confidence and the knowledge to deal with the issue in their work setting.

You should :- Be able to define Domestic Abuse as sexual, physical, mental/emotional abuse (as termed by the Scottish Government) and how this relates to the wider Gender Based Violence agenda Have an increased awareness and understanding of both national and local policy drivers influencing work within the Violence Against Women agenda Appreciate the impact of domestic abuse on those who experience it and how it affects their behaviours and choices Understand the main issues of providing a sensitive and appropriate service to women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse Be able to identify and list local sources of support and information for women and children experiencing abuse. To explore individual and organisational responses to women and children who disclose abuse with particular regard to the implementation of Sensitive Routine Enquiry (NHS GG&C) Be able to recognise and utilise the 5 point plan within your daily practice Objectives

Training is Underpinned by The Five Point Plan There a five stages to consider Awareness of the abuse Confidentiality and privacy Asking the question Crisis intervention Provision of information about options and resources THE 5 POINT PLAN LINKS THE THEORY TO YOUR PRACTICE

The terminology can be confusing! Domestic Abuse Domestic Violence Gender Based Violence Intimate Partner Violence Violence against women and children Etc……. Let’s try to clear that one up

Defining The Issue Violence Against Women – Gender Based Violence Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in the family, within the general community or in institutions, including: domestic abuse, rape, incest and child sexual abuse Sexual harassment and intimidation at work and in the public sphere Dowry related violence Female genital mutilation Forced and child marriages Honour crimes Activities such as pornography, prostitution, stripping, lap dancing, pole dancing and table dancing are forms of commercial sexual exploitation It is essential to separate sexual activity from exploitative sexual activity. A sexual activity becomes sexual exploitation if it breaches a person’s human right to dignity, equality, respect and physical and mental wellbeing. It becomes commercial sexual exploitation when another person, or group of people, achieves financial gain or advancement through the activity.

Defining Domestic Abuse as one form of GBV Domestic abuse (as gender-based abuse) can be perpetrated by partners or ex-partners and can include physical abuse (assault and physical attack involving a range of behaviour), sexual abuse (acts which degrade and humiliate women and are perpetrated against their will, including rape) and mental and emotional abuse (such as threats, verbal abuse, racial abuse, withholding money and other types of controlling behaviour such as isolation from family and friends)

A Gendered Definition in Scotland “Domestic abuse is associated with broader inequalities in society, is part of behaviours constituting male abuse of power, and is linked to other forms of male violence such as rape and child abuse. Domestic abuse occurs in all social groups, is not caused by stress, unemployment, poverty or mental illness, nor by the women who experience the abuse.” National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse, 2000

International Policy Levers The United Nation's Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Global Platform for Action adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995 The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)

National Policy Context o We live our lives safe from crime, disorder and danger. o We have tackled significant inequalities in Scottish society. o We have improved the life chances for children, young people and families at risk. o Our children have the best start in life and are ready to succeed. o We have strong, resilient and supportive communities where people take responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others. o Action on Violence in Scotland, Respect & Responsibility and Getting It Right For Every Child which underpins the National Domestic Abuse Delivery Plan for Children and Young People. o Frameworks include Achieving Our Potential, Early Years and Equally Well o Gender Equality Duty

Local Policy Drivers o Renfrewshire Community Plan and Single Outcome Agreement o NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Gender Based Violence Action Plan o Clyde Violence Against Women Training Consortium Strategy

Theories about the Causes of Domestic Abuse Models of individual pathology Interactional and family models Social Structure Feminist analysis of abuse

Models of Individual Pathology Abusive Men Aberrant from norm Behaviour a consequence of stress, alcohol abuse etc. Women viewed as contributing to their abuse Dysfunctional personality Addiction to abuse, sexual pleasure Cycle of violence theory Transfer of violence from one generation to next Boys grow up to become adult abusers Girls grow up to be victims

Interactional and Family Models Both Partners Contribute to the Abuse Examples: Lack of skills to talk through issues Incompatibility Women goad partners

Social Structure External Factors Cause Domestic Abuse Examples: Unemployment Poor Housing Poverty

Feminist Analysis of Abuse Roots in structural inequality between men and women in society Abuse of women tolerated because Embedded within cultural norms; and Historically, unchallenged dominance of men External factors potentially contributed but insufficient explanation for gender specific nature

What is Domestic Abuse? “It is no longer scientifically or ethically acceptable to speak of domestic violence without specifying which type of violence to which one refers.” Apples and Oranges in Child Custody Disputes: Intimate Terrorism vs. Situational Couple Violence Michael P Johnson 2005

Training is Underpinned by The Five Point Plan There a five stages to consider Awareness of the abuse Confidentiality and privacy Asking the question Crisis intervention Provision of information about options and resources THE 5 POINT PLAN LINKS THE THEORY TO YOUR PRACTICE

Nature, Prevalence and Impact World Health Organisation Multi-Country study into Women’s Health and Domestic Violence Against Women found that between 1 in 2 and 1 in 10 women will experience some form of violence at some point in their lives. One in 4 women will experience domestic abuse from a partner in her lifetime Studies show that 40-60% of previous domestic abuse victims are beaten while pregnant. Pregnancy may be the trigger factor for the very first assault. There were 49,655 incidents of domestic abuse in Scotland recorded in 2007/08 (an increase of just under 2% on the previous year) 54% of cases reported to the police in 2007/08 involved repeat victimisation Women were the victims in 85% of the reported incidents of domestic abuse in Scotland in 2007/08;

It is estimated that around 100,000 children in Scotland may be affected by domestic abuse There were 6,726 sexual crimes reported in Scotland. Of these 1123 were rapes or attempted rapes of these were reported to Strathclyde Police. There were 1664 incidents of indecent assault reported to police in Scotland with 951 of these in the Strathclyde area; prevalence rates for child sexual abuse are estimated at around 21% of girls and 7% of boys.8 Home Office figures report that 1 out of every 4 children in the UK has been abused;9 the Foreign and Commonwealth office deal with around 200 cases of forced marriage annually

Two women are murdered by their current or former partner every week in the UK.

Six Stage Process: Leaving & Women Experiencing Domestic Abuse (Based on work by Liz Kelly) 1. Managing the Situation 2.Distortion of Perspective/Reality 3.Defining Abuse 4.Re-evaluating the Relationship 5.Ending the Relationship 6.Ending the Violence

Training is Underpinned by The Five Point Plan There a five stages to consider Awareness of the abuse Confidentiality and privacy Asking the question Crisis intervention Provision of information about options and resources THE 5 POINT PLAN LINKS THE THEORY TO YOUR PRACTICE