1. The Dash Charity Caron Kipping Deputy Manager Advocacy and Outreach PCC Funding for BAME IDVA Services

2. The Dash Charity We support both adults and children experiencing domestic abuse across East Berkshire. We offer: Crisis refuge accommodation Dedicated Children’s Services Team Specialist Independent Domestic Violence Advocate’s (IDVA’s) and Outreach Workers

3. Demographics for Slough

4. The Local Picture Over 6000 reports of DA to police last year across East Berkshire 9 reports of domestic abuse every day to Slough police 240 reports of HBV in Slough 65 calls from Slough to FGM Helpline Slough has the 2 nd highest prevalence of DA across Thames Valley

5. BAME Victims Unaware of rights in UK and unable to access legal system Language Barrier – not allowed to learn English, so unable to access services and kept isolated Fear of being devalued by the community & social exclusion if they leave - ‘husband for life’ Intergenerational conflict between those born in UK and traditional values/customs Financial/Immigration Insecurity – little knowledge of UK systems and many victims fearful of disclosing information Fear of repercussions to families either in UK or outside of UK

6. BAME Victims Racism/Stereotyping when trying to seek support- fear that nobody will understand their situation Fear of losing extended family via threats or going against family wishes Fear of affecting children’s future – marriage prospects. The long term implications of their decisions Forced Marriage – particularly if disabled or LGBT as marriage is seen as a way to secure their child’s future Increased risk of suicide as they feel there is no way out.

7. Statistics 50% of all suicide attempts by BAME women are related to domestic abuse – Women’s Aid. 42% of Asian women who seek treatment for alcohol misuse are experiencing domestic violence – Women’s Aid. 135 victims of Forced Marriage had a disability in 2014 – Forced Marriage Unit.

8. High Priority Issues Female Genital Mutilation – Slough is a ‘hotspot’ We need to find further resources to support victims from at risk communities Honour Based Violence - We need to have an experienced worker able to support the clients most at risk and keep them safe Forced Marriage – We need to keep up to date and implement new legislation and resources Other BAME Communities – We need to reach out to other victims who are not coming forwards

9. Why is a BAME IDVA Important? Able to communicate clearly in victim’s own language/dialect Full understanding of religion/culture Able to quickly gain trust of the victim Able to interpret fully and use knowledge of DA to clearly explain risks and support available Able to safety plan and ensure all risks to both adults and children are managed Specialist knowledge of complex immigration legislation

10. Raheela Imran Aged 45 years Murdered by her husband in 2014, he confessed to another prisoner while on remand. He accused her of having an affair with her cousin. He stabbed her in the neck then went to work. Raheela was not known to any services. Murdered in Slough by her husband - 2014 Stabbed her in the neck then went to work. Both professional people. Raheela was a mother to 4 children. Raheela was not known to any services due to domestic abuse.

11. BAME Innovation We have taken a proactive approach – a flexible service to meet the needs of the victims, not the service. Each support plan is individually tailored to the victim – not a blanket approach Focus on motivational interviewing techniques to empower victims to make safe choices

12. BAME Innovation Created new tools to help BAME victims identify domestic abuse: Created a 1:1 Freedom Programme in BAME languages – Punjabi, Polish, Urdu Created an Islam/Marriage context tool to help victims identify religion being used to justify abuse Adapted current DASH safety plans to incorporate risks specific to BAME clients

13. Reaching Out Research shows that victims of DA approach up to 5 different agencies in the year before they get help This doubles for BAME victims…

14. What We Found Out- The Bigger Picture We need to promote the support available for BAME victims throughout the community We need to educate more professionals on how to identify BAME victims of domestic abuse we need your help! We need to educate children on BAME issues and healthy relationships: Forced Marriage, FGM, Honour Based Violence We need to educate victims and the public about BAME issues and domestic abuse and the support available

15. How did the BAME IDVA Respond? Created BAME leaflets in different languages and helpcards and distributed these to community organisations and agencies Given workshops and talks to community groups, youth groups and schools Had key roles in promoting BAME support at events – International Women’s Day, White Ribbon Day, HBV Day of Memory

16. How did the BAME IDVA Respond? Regular training for local multi-agency partners on BAME and domestic abuse Attended National Conference on Survivors of HBV Attended Slough Community Cohesion Conference to make key links and promote BAME role Participated in DHR for Raheela Imran to give expert advice Became lead of DASH BAME dept to oversee case management between IDVA/Outreach Collating statistics to look at the local picture and ensure we are reaching out to marginalised groups

17. Responding to BAME Victims Created individual tailored safety plans to incorporate specific risks related to BAME risks Able to provide supporting evidence for victims and liase with Home Office about immigration applications Able to identify specialist services and support i.e. Forced Marriage Unit, local BAME agencies

18. What This Means For the Future 98% Engagement rate with BAME victims – one less barrier to support 100% Increased safety for BAME victims – safety measures, civil orders, support via CJS Reduction in repeat victimisation and increased reporting of DA to police Earlier intervention before risk increases Enhanced life chances for children – fewer children on CPP, support offered via DASH CST

19. What are the Benefits for Victims? More victims with secure immigration status and finances - successful applications for DDV Concession, refuge for those with NRPF Victims have increased confidence and improved mental health Victims empowered to access other support i.e ESOL language classes, ‘Power to Be You’ classes IDVA able to support victims in negotiating pathways of agencies

20. Case Study

21. Moving forwards Domestic abuse is about intentionally having power and control over an individual. We need to break down the barriers in the BAME community, educate and break the inter-generational cycle of abuse. By using specialist workers we are already one step ahead…