Activ* 8 Background: National: 1 in 4 women will be victims of Domestic Violence in their life time. 2 women per week are killed by their former partners. Islington Borough: 3,777 cases of Domestic Violence were reported last year. In the first 6 months of 2012 Police statistics show an increase of 17% of reported Domestic Violence cases. Complex Needs Women: No Borough Stats on this group of Women 17% of Drug Using Women in the Borough have experienced abuse and/or violence.

Complex Needs Women:  Drug and/or Alcohol Misuse  Mental Health (diagnosed or undiagnosed)  Insecure housing  Links with Prison Services, Probation, Police and perceived ASB.  Previously been in Care (themselves) and/or have had dealings with Social Services and Children’s Services.  In and out of Borough services.

 Project Aim: For women with complex needs to be able to access the services they need, engage in productive dialogue around their concerns to enable them to feel safe and secure, while improving the quality of life. The project is a 6-month Pilot: The pilot will ensure the identification, engagement of women with complex needs, and ensuring the following:  That women are screened for MARAC eligibility and referred if appropriate services  That women are appropriately supported and advocated for so they can meet MARAC thresholds through motivational interventions and reengagement with services.  To ensure that MAPPA referrals are made for all perpetuators associated with these women.  To liaise with CSPU, Probation and Police leas around enforcement including implementing restraining orders where not taken onto MAPPA.  To contribute to IOM Hub intelligence Unit as required and in line with Data Protection Act and CDRP information sharing protocol.

Referral Pathways:  IOM  MARAC  HMP Holloway Prison  Probation

Partnerships: We currently have the following organisations and departments signed up to the protocols:  IOM  MARAC  HMP Holloway and Pentonville Prisons  MAPPA  Probation  Borough Police and Safer Neighbourhoods.  Community Drug and Alcohol Services ISIS and ICASA.  Domestic Violence Services: Solace Women’s Aid and Nia Project  Housing Providers: SHP, English Churches, Family Mosaic and Islington Housing Advice Centres.  Islington Outreach Services  Community, Cultural and Faith Based Groups in Islington.

Partnerships: With changes in health structures and commissioning in the Borough we continue to struggle to bring the following services into the Borough DV Action Plan: Health Services.  Statutory Drug and Alcohol Services  GPs  Hospitals:- Whittington and UCH Hospitals  Mental Health Services  Highgate Mental Health Unit  Sexual Health Centres Adult Social Services We continue to campaign and have open dialogue with services to come on board and sign up to protocol so we can collectively support these women to change their lives and gain a quality to their lifestyles.

Case Study: Gina 44 yr old. In the autumn of 2011 Gina was drugged and kidnapped by a gang of men on Seven Sister’s Road and took her to South London and tied her to a bed and sold her for sex. She endured 3 days of continuous sexual violence and abuse. She managed to escape from her captors and was found naked and hysterical on the streets of Norwood by Police. Upon her return to Islington she could not access any services and in desperation tried to get herself admitted to The Whittington. She was refused access and in her desperation she threw herself in front of a 43 Bus that night. She was known to over 7 Islington Services and yet she could not access support.

Statistics so far.  12 Women have accessed the Service. ( 80% of the women are from the identified list of complex needs)  Research completed of women with alcohol dependency and a further 19 vulnerable women were identified  additional research into hidden harm women with complex needs identified 4 women due to their mental health cannot/ refuse to access statutory services and remain vulnerable in the hands of their perpetrators.  5 male perpetrators have been identified and referred to IOM and MAPPA  4 women are engaged in activities and meaningful occupations.  2 women has been moved to another Borough for her safety and linked into local services.  1 woman who was a victim of DV has also presented as a perpetrator and is being supported via legal support to access her child safely.  Support levels for this group of clients is averaging 50 hours of face to face support per issue.

Future challenges:  Continued buy in from Statutory Services  Changes in Mental Health leads in the Borough  Other Boroughs identifying similar needs  Women who cross over numerous Boroughs and cause concerns due to their lifestyle  No identified leading women’s service that can facilitate a bespoke service to this group of women.  What will happen after the pilot is completed?  Future provision for Complex needs women during this climate of austerity.

Contacts: Tracy Robb – Project Coordinator 5 Clarendon Buildings, 25 Horsell Road, London N5 1XL Tel: Fax: Mob: