Initiatives relating to Domestic Abuse
This page gives you details of local, regional and national initiatives relating to domestic abuse. If you have a domestic abuse service that you would like to promote on this page please contact karen.shooter@doncaster.gov.uk
Domestic abuse champions
They come together to form a multi-agency domestic abuse champions network, to keep up to date about the latest information and resources, and to collaborate on improving services.
Champions are expected to complete the following training modules:
- Domestic abuse awareness
- Coercive and controlling behaviour
- DASH risk assessment and the MARAC
Domestic abuse pin badges
For more information about the pin badges please contact karen.shooter@doncaster.gov.uk
Community Engagement Worker
Doncaster Children's Services Trust has appointed a new Community Engagement Worker who is reaching out to local communities in Doncaster. The aim is to connect with with local businesses, community groups of all kinds as well as local solutions groups and localities to increase awareness of domestic abuse.
Anyone can experience domestic abuse. Increasing awareness and developing knowledge of local and national support for all family members (person causing the harm, victim and any children) will strengthen and support communities so that ‘we don’t accept this in our community’ becomes part of the fabric of community life. Supporting communities so that domestic abuse is identified early and that people know how to get help if they need it.
If you would like any further information, a friendly chat or would be interested in becoming a Domestic Abuse Champion in your Community please get in touch with Angie Emerton, Community Engagement Worker. Email: Angela.Emerton@dcstrust.co.uk
Inspire to Change
Inspire to Change - voluntary programme for people that are abusive to others
About Cranstoun Inspire to Change
Inspire to Change is a South Yorkshire wide service commissioned by the Local Authorities and the Office of the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner. It has been designed to help participants learn new skills and find better ways to manage and control their abusive behaviour. It encourages participants to think and behave more positively to prevent harm to their partner, children and family in the future.
- An understanding of how to recognise the signs of domestic abuse
- A better understanding of why they use violence or aggression in their relationships
- An awareness of how attitudes and beliefs can affect behaviour
- The practical tools to develop and maintain change
- An improved and better life for themselves, their children and others affected by their behaviour
Find out more by visiting the Cranstoun Inspire to Change website: Cranstoun Inspire to Change - Cranstoun
SmartWater
SmartWater is a forensic marking product that can transfer onto a person to provide evidence that they were at the scene of a crime. In Doncaster it is being used to help protect victims of domestic abuse and deter persistent perpetrators from continuing their harassment and abuse.
Find out more about the Smartwater initiative
Domestic Abuse Navigator Service
DANS – The Domestic Abuse Navigator service (DAN’s) works whole family in response to domestic abuse to support families to safely recover from their experiences, either together or separately. Originally part of the Growing Futures project innovation funded by the Department for Education, the service has developed into a small specialist team who take an innovative approach to domestic abuse work. Informed by research the service aims to break the patterns of domestic abuse that exist within the relationship itself, in future relationships following separation and as part of the inter-generational transmission of abuse.
The team are highly skilled workers who complete psycho-educational and pyscho-therapeutic work with families ensuring that each family member is provided with the support they need including the victim, the children and the person causing the harm.
For more information visit the Doncaster Children's Services website: Growing Futures | Doncaster Children's Services Trust (doncasterchildrenstrust.co.uk)
Caring Dads
Getting On
Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (Clare's Law)
The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme was launched in Doncaster in 2014. A police led scheme, with two routes available 'Right to Ask' & 'Right to Know'.
The scheme has the following key principles:
- Introduce recognised and consistent procedures for disclosing information to persons with concerns about a current partner. It enables a current partner of a violent individual to make informed choices about whether, and how, to take forward that relationship.
- Disclosure is considered if it is lawful, necessary and proportionate to protect a potential person at risk from harm.
- Disclosure MUST be accompanied by a robust safety plan, based on all relevant information, which delivers on-going support to the potential person at risk.
Right to Know
As a practitioner, if you are aware of the risk to a victim you should make a referral to South Yorkshire Police under the Right to Know route.
Should someone be at immediate risk of harm, always call 999 in an emergency. For further information and to make a request for a disclosure email:
doncaster_ppureferrals@southyorks.pnn.police.uk
Right to Ask
Clare’s Law gives any member of the public the right to ask the police if their partner may pose a risk to them. Under Clare’s Law, a member of the public can also make enquiries into the partner of a close friend or family member.
Once an application is made, police and partner agencies will carry out a range of checks. If these reveal a record of abusive offences, or suggest a risk of violence or abuse, the police will consider sharing this information. The aim is to help people to make a more informed decision on whether to continue a relationship and provide help and support when making that choice.
If the Police decide to make a disclosure, this will usually be made to the person at risk. This is unless, in the circumstances, someone else is better placed to use the information to protect them from abuse.
Any disclosure will be made in person - none of the disclosure is made in writing and you will not be given any documentation.
How to make an application under Clare's Law
To make an application the person enquiring will need to attend a police station in person or contact 101 where a police officer or member of police staff will take the details of the enquiry. They will also establish a safe way to contact the victim.
Professionals should ensure that they are making people aware of the Right to Ask.
For more information visit the South Yorkshire Police website
Domestic Violence Protection Notices (DVPN) and Orders (DVPO)
For more guidance visit the Government website.