Domestic Abuse Newsletter

Is someone you know experiencing domestic abuse?

When someone is experiencing domestic abuse, it may take the person a long time before they will talk about it. There is an information leaflet available for friends, family and work colleagues who are worried about someone they know suffering from domestic abuse. The leaflet provides information on how to support victims of domestic abuse and the services available to safeguard them.

Domestic abuse support

In Sandwell there is lots of support available for you if you are suffering domestic abuse or if you are worried about someone who is.

Information can be found via the council's domestic abuse webpages.

In an emergency always phone the police on 999.

Use the 101 number to call the police if it's not an emergency.

News... We’re talking stalking – here’s what you need to know Stalking is a serious crime. It can make you feel scared and frightened to leave your home. Stalking doesn't always involve threats. Stalking can be a pattern of any unwanted contact that persists and makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

Here's how to spot stalking – look out for the FOUR warning signs: 

• Fixated (the stalker is obsessed with you) 
• Obsessed (their behaviour goes beyond normal attention)  
• Unwanted (you've made it clear you don't want contact)  
• Repeated (it keeps happening). 

 This unwanted attention can take many forms, such as: 

• Showing up at your home or workplace uninvited 
• Following you in public places 
• Repeatedly calling, texting or emailing you 
• Sending unwanted gifts or messages 
• Monitoring your social media activity 
• Damaging your property and making threats 

If you believe you are being stalked, there are steps you can take: 

• Keep a record of all unwanted contact, including dates, times and details of what happened. 
• Tell someone you trust: Talk to a friend, family member, colleague or a police officer about what is happening. 
• Increase your safety: Consider changing your routines, varying your routes and letting trusted people know where you are going and share your location. 
• Speak to the police: If you are worried about your safety, report it to the police. You can call 101. More advice on how to report stalking.

In emergencies, always dial 999. Remember, you are not alone. Stalking is a serious crime, and there are resources and support services available to help you stay safe. 

What is forced marriage and FGM?

A forced marriage is where one or both people do not (or, in cases of people with learning disabilities, cannot) consent to the marriage and pressure, abuse, threats, violence, coercion and/or deception is used. It’s a form of honour-based abuse and it’s a criminal offence.

FGM (also known as female genital cutting or circumcision) is when the female genitals are deliberately cut, altered, or removed for non-medical reasons. The consequences of FGM are severe and can have lifelong physical, psychological and social implications. It’s important to remember that FGM is not part of any religion – it’s child abuse and it’s illegal.

Reporting FGM in England and Wales

Regulated health and social care professionals and teachers have a mandatory duty to make a report to the police if:

• They are informed by a child under the age of 18 that they have undergone FGM.
• They observe physical signs that an act of FGM may have been carried out on a child under the age of 18 (Section 74 Serious Crime Act 2015).

You can find out more about the mandatory reporting of female genital mutilation on the GOV.UK website. You can also get more advice by visiting the NSPCC website.

Reporting forced marriage

If someone you know is at risk of forced marriage, call the West Midlands Forced Marriage Helpline on 0800 953 9777. Support is available 24/7.

Remember to always call 999 in an emergency or if someone is in immediate danger.

For non-emergencies, call 101 or webchat with the police online. 

Child-focused domestic abuse project to be set up "This is an opportunity to ensure that children and their protective parents who have experienced domestic abuse receive the very best, evidence-based intervention as early as possible to enhance their recovery and healing." David Trickey, UKTC co-director Find out more via the UK Trauma Council website.

Domestic abuse-related suicide

The latest Domestic Homicide Project report shows more domestic abuse victims are taking their own lives, with 93 suspected cases in the year to March 2023 compared with 51 in the 12 months to March 2021 when data was first collected. However, the study’s authors add the qualification that the increase is likely to be because of better awareness and identification by police forces rather than a rise in such deaths, though an observable increase in domestic abuse-relate suicides cannot be ruled out.

The Home Office-funded research project is led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, whose domestic abuse lead assistant commissioner Louisa Rolfe said: “I am encouraged that forces are strengthening their approach to suspected victim suicides following domestic abuse. Perpetrators should always be held to account for their abhorrent actions, and this should be no different when a victim has sadly taken their own life.”

A key priority for Sandwell is tackling the problem of domestic abuse and the impact that it has on victims, children and wider families. Studies recognise that people suffering from domestic abuse are at increased risk of suicide, due to the trauma they have experienced or continue to endure. Sandwell’s Public Health Team and the Domestic Abuse Team are working together to raise awareness and deliver a plan of support for victims and their families. A training programme on suicide prevention will be available for professionals which will be provided by the Violet Project. Dates for the training will be circulated in due course.

The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024

The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 represents an opportunity to improve the service and support that victims receive. Other related non-legislative measures will help to improve victims’ confidence to report crimes and seek justice, as well as to rebuild their lives. The Bill received Royal assent on 24 May 2024.

Domestic Homicide Reviews in England and Wales will be renamed Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews to better recognise suicides linked to domestic abuse. The reviews are a multi-agency effort which seeks to identify and implement lessons learnt from deaths which have, or appear to have, resulted from domestic abuse. The aim is to better protect potential victims and prevent further tragedies.

Local Government Association (LGA) & Domestic Abuse Commissioner Office (DAC) report on Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews (previously DHRs)

The results from this report will inform the future of Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews (previously DHRs). It was conducted jointly by the LGA and the Office of the Domestic Abuse Commissioner (DAC), which is developing an oversight mechanism in relation to the implementation of recommendations within reviews.

You can find the report and summary key points.

The Families Together Programme The Families Together Programme recognises there are many difficulties families will experience which could lead to family conflict and develop into more severe problems if left unresolved. Families Together is a unique programme designed to support men and women to recognise and overcome unhealthy and low-level abusive relationships and support parents to develop their understanding of how unhealthy and abusive relationships could impact their children and parenting skills. Please ensure referrals are submitted to familiestogethersandwell@family-action.org.uk

National Women’s Justice Coalition

The NWJC collective aims to drive systemic change to reduce the stigmatisation of women and girls in contact with the criminal justice system and to improve outcomes for them. One of their many workstreams is the Women’s Services Map (WSM). This is the UK’s first directory of women’s centres and specialist services for women and girls in contact with the criminal justice system.

• Please access the Women's Services Map

National Policing Statement 2024 For Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)

This report outlines that it is estimated at least 1 in every 12 women will be a victim of VAWG every year (2 million victims) and 1 in 20 adults in England and Wales will be a perpetrator of VAWG every year (2.3 million perpetrators).

The analysis has identified five critical threats to women and girls:

• rape and serious sexual offences
• domestic abuse
• stalking and harassment
• child sexual abuse and exploitation
• online and tech-enabled VAWG

‘Online and tech enabled VAWG is noted to be a concern that is growing rapidly. The Online Safety Act 2023 has enabled Ofcom to set out its proposals, which includes building on support for addressing misogyny.

Key dates Facilitated by the Domestic Abuse Team, the third Domestic Abuse Forum was held at Jubilee Park Community Centre in Tipton on Wednesday 23 May, bringing together a wide range of Sandwell’s voluntary and community sector organisations, championing the work we all do to help support victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

Following its launch in December 2023, the forum is a space for multi-agency working, where sharing good practice and information is essential to ensuring that victims and survivors get the right help at the right time.

During the forum, informative discussions were held around domestic abuse within Sandwell, with our partners at Family Action sharing information about their domestic abuse support in the community for parents and their children. Birmingham LGBTQ+ talked about their support for LGBTQ+ people and a key element of their work is to inform, educate and raise awareness of the issues that LGBTQ+ people face in particular those experiencing domestic abuse. We also had group discussions around 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and how partners can get involved in the campaign.

The next forum is on Tuesday 10 September 2024 and details of how to book will be sent out in due course.

Multi-agency domestic abuse training

A range of multi-agency domestic abuse training is available to officers in Sandwell.

Details of the dates of multi-agency domestic abuse training and how to book

All sessions are held online via Microsoft Teams. Sessions include:

• Domestic Abuse and Recourse to Public Funds
• Child to Parent Abuse
• Learning from Domestic Homicide Reviews
• Domestic Abuse – two-day course
• Working with Men Who Abuse in Relationships
• Forced Marriage and Honour Based Abuse
• Domestic Abuse and Adult Safeguarding
• Sexual Assault and Abuse & Female Genital Mutilation

Please note we recommend officers complete the Sandwell Learn Domestic Abuse eLearning module before attending the Domestic Abuse two-day training course. To access the Sandwell Learn eLearning training, email Sandwell_Learn@sandwell.gov.uk

Sandwell Council plays a lead role in the Domestic Abuse Strategic Partnership (DASP) which is responsible for bringing together partner organisations and agencies to address domestic abuse. The partnership has produced a strategy entitled Sandwell Domestic Abuse Strategy and this sets out the partnership priorities for action.  

Does your team need more information on domestic abuse?

Visit the council's domestic abuse webpages.