1. Child Safety, with a focus on Domestic Abuse
Halton Domestic Abuse Family Service
(HDAFS)

2. Overall aim
To provide information to individuals who are involved in supporting young people and families affected by Domestic Abuse, to help them identify, understand and respond to their needs and risks appropriately.

3. What is Domestic Abuse?
The Government definition of domestic violence and abuse is:
"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. The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to:
psychological
physical
sexual
financial
Emotional
Home Office March 2013

4. Controlling behaviour
'Controlling behaviour is: a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour’.
Home Office March 2013

5. Coercive behaviour
Coercive behaviour is: an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.‘
The Serious Crime Act 2015 creates a new offence of controlling or coercive behaviour in intimate or familial relationships. Controlling or coercive behaviour does not relate to a single incident, it is a purposeful pattern of behaviour which takes place over time in order for one individual to exert power, control or coercion over another.
Home Office March 2013

6. Case Study
Mohammed Anwaar forced his then girlfriend Gemma Doherty to run on a treadmill because he wanted her to resemble model Graceyanne Barbos.
Gemma Doherty, 30 was forced to eat 50 cans of Tuna a week and run on a treadmill every day to meet the demands of her obsessive boyfriend Mohammed. He controlled what Gemma wore, what she ate and who she spoke to and beat her if she disobeyed him.
Anwaar was jailed for 28 months under the new offence of coercive control.

7. A domestic abuser who forced his partner to learn chess and threatened to kill her if she failed to take a certain piece has been jailed.
Graham O'Shea, 42, "intensively instructed" the woman, police said, before selecting a piece and telling her she "would be leaving in a black box" if it was the last one left.
He also "took control of every aspect" of her life.
O'Shea, of Mixenden, Halifax, was jailed for four years.
He was also given a life-long restraining order against the victim and her family when he was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court on Monday.
More on this and other West Yorkshire stories
West Yorkshire Police said O'Shea was the first person from the county sent to jail under new coercive control laws.
The force said that O'Shea moved in to his victim's home shortly after meeting her in a pub in March .
He refused to let the woman wash herself or visit her family, and gave her an allowance of £10 per week after taking her bank cards.
"He escorted her to and from the bus stop when she went to work and regularly accused her of infidelity," it added.
O'Shea also assaulted his ex on two occasions, police said
The woman contacted police in May after escaping the property and fleeing to her father's house.
The new law was introduced last December.
Case Study
Graham O'Shea, 42, forced his partner to learn chess and threatened to kill her if she failed to take a certain piece.
He also "took control of every aspect" of her life and was jailed for four years, and was given a life-long restraining order against the victim and her family. O'Shea moved in to his victim's home shortly after meeting her in a pub in March He refused to let the woman wash herself or visit her family, and gave her an allowance of £10 per week after taking her bank cards.
"He escorted her to and from the bus stop when she went to work and regularly accused her of infidelity," The woman contacted police in May 2016 after escaping the property and fleeing to her father's house.

8. Common Myths "It only happens to a certain type of person”
“Domestic Abuse only occurs in low income families”
“People choose abusive partners”
“They can leave anytime
"It isn’t that serious“
"It’s just the odd domestic row – all couples have them"
“Alcohol causes someone to be violent”
“Children don’t see the abuse so are not affected”

9. Duluth’s wheel of control

10. Prevalence of Domestic Abuse
Quiz

11. Prevalence of DA in Halton

12. Video

13. What are the affects on Children living in an abusive environment?

14. Impact on children Emotional Harm Physical harm Neglect
Missed health appointments
Developmental delays, speech and language
Poor diet/lack of nutrition
Poor hygiene
Nightmares/Terrors
Bedwetting
Low self-esteem and confidence
Self harming
Child Sexual Exploitation
Anti Social Behaviour

15. continued Missing from home Behavioural problems Withdrawn
Lack of trust
Confused with boundaries
Used as weapon by the perpetrator
Child mimicking abusive behaviour
Anger at the non abusive parent
Low school attendance/truancy
Low social development
Forming inappropriate relationships
Belief that abuse in normal and a way to get what you want
“Its okay to abuse my non abusive parent”
Fear of speaking out

16. Why is it hard to leave? Nowhere to go Fears of losing the children
Physical injury
Disability
Fear of Physical harm to themselves, children, family and friends
Commitment to the relationship and hope for change
Lack of finances
No support network
Family Influence or reprisals
Traditional/Cultural and Religious values
Confidence and self esteem destroyed by abuse
Lack of information regarding support services
Status
Worries regarding Court and Child Contact
Previous experience of not being supported

17. Help and Support If anyone is in immediate danger call on 999.
If you or someone you know need help you should call Halton Domestic Abuse Service – call the 24 hour local domestic abuse support number
If you suspect a child is being abused and you are a child, parent or member of the general public, Call Children’s Social Care -
(Mon-Thurs 9 am – 5 pm, Fri 9 am – 4.30 pm)
(out of office hours)
If you are concerned about a vulnerable adult call or

18. Telephone Details for Agencies
Services
Purpose
Telephone Details for Agencies
Public Protection Unit (PPU)
High, Medium and Standard risk victim referrals
Halton Domestic Abuse Service (HDAS) – IDVA
To support victims of domestic abuse/Refuge
RASASC
For those that have experienced sexual abuse
Cheshire Cares
Standard Risk Victims
Catch22 (Halton Domestic Abuse Fmaily Service)
To support children and families who have been exposed to domestic abuse

19. Questions?