Knowsley Domestic Violence Support Services

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Knowsley Domestic Violence Support Services

• 0151 548 3333
• First Step Centre
• Peatwood Avenue
• Kirkby
• Knowsley
• L32 7PR
• Registered charity 1054533

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KDVSS

• Formed in 1996 from an initiative of the Knowsley
  Domestic Violence Forum
• A registered charity based within the voluntary
  sector
• Funding comes from a variety of sources most of
  which is time limited

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KDVSS Vision

• To convert Knowsleys domestic violence
  challenges into real solutions, creating new ways
  of working to stop domestic violence

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KDVSSHolistic Response

• Victim/Survivors
• Children
• Male Perpetrators
• Awareness Raising
• Multi Agency Approach
• Multi Agency Training
• Volunteer Co-ordinator

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Services/Programmes

• First Step Centre
• IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advocate)
• Ross House women and childrens refuge
• Butterfly Programme
• Gender Conflict Programme
• Hidden Voices Group
• InPACT Male Perpetrator Programme

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First Step Centre

• Direct services provided by KDVSS
• One to one support
• Moving on Group
• Alternative therapies
• Computer Skills Training
• Telephone support
• Services provided by partner agencies
• Legal Advice every Wednesday morning
• Benefits/debt/housing every Wednesday morning (by
  appointment)

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Specialist Domestic Violence Court Programme

• I.D.V.A.
• (Independent Domestic Violence Advocate)
• Funded by Home Office and KMBC Crime Disorder
  Partnership to 2009

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Specialist Domestic Violence Court Programme

• There are currently 25 specialist domestic
  violence court schemes across England and Wales
• The SDVC Programme combines both criminal justice
  and non-criminal justice interventions for
  victim/survivors.  A multi-agency response
  creates greater victim/survivor safety and brings
  perpetrators to account
• CPS figures show an overall improvement in
  successful prosecutions for domestic violence
  cases with 46 in December 2003 compared to 59
  in December 2005. This figure rises to 71 for
  cases heard in a specialist domestic violence
  court

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Specialist Domestic Violence Court Programme

• Measures which have been introduced include
• Fast-tracking of domestic violence cases and
  clustering of cases together on a designated day
  each week to make courts run more effectively and
  speed up justice for victims
• Separate entrances, exits and waiting areas so
  that victims are not confronted by their
  attackers
• Dedicated prosecutors, trained magistrates, legal
  advisors, police and independent domestic
  violence advocates who specialise in the issues
  involved in domestic violence cases

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Specialist Domestic Violence Court Programme

• The SDVC involves a multi-agency approach with
  wraparound services that include specialist
  Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAS)
• IDVAs provide a pro-active service to
  victim/survivors of domestic violence to assess
  risk and increase safety, offering a premium
  service to those most at risk.
• IDVAS work within a multi-agency setting to
  ensure all agencies comply with the requirements
  of the Home Office SDVC Programme
• The Knowsley IDVA also has responsibility for the
  Partner Service which is delivered alongside the
  KDVSS InPACT male perpetrator Programme

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Specialist Domestic Violence Court Programme
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Childrens Programmes

• Gender Conflict
• Butterfly Programme
• Funded by the Childrens Fund to 2008
• Hidden Voices Group
• Funded by donations and Social Services small
  grant

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Gender Conflict Education Programme

• An 8 week programme
• Runs in Knowsley schools for 810 year olds,
  before going to senior school
• Explores gender and conflict which includes
  discussion groups, challenging stereotypes and
  the impact domestic abuse can have
• Contact
• Bobbie McNerney
• (Children's Programme Manager)
• Maryse Bessman
• (Assistant Children's Programme Worker)
• 0151 548 3333 / 07815 208768

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The Gender and ConflictEducation Programme

• Pupils Comments
• If you have violence in the home, tell someone.
• That you should not do domestic violence and
  bully.
• Domestic violence is never the childrens
  fault.
• I have learnt dont bully people.
• That bullying can hurt inside as well as
  outside.

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The Gender and ConflictEducation Programme
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Teachers Comments

• I hope that with such a lively class, the
  activities on bullying and treating one another
  with respect will be heeded. Also the discussions
  held within the programme gave quieter children
  the opportunity to voice their views, despite a
  number of intimidating classmates within the
  room.
• Yes with some children who dont normally
  speak up about their concerns, they clearly felt
  confident in this open discussion atmosphere.
  Many thanks.

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Butterfly Programme

• 14 week programme (the 4 first weeks are an
  assessment period)
• A therapeutic support programme (using art,
  craft and drama) for children based on the NSPCC
  model
• For children who have witnessed or experienced
  any form of domestic abuse
• A separate group runs alongside for
  parents/carers of children attending

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The Butterfly Programme
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The Butterfly Programme Womens Group

• Working in a group discussing thoughts and
  opinions.
• Gave me the opportunity to talk about the masks
  we wear and why.
• feelings through art is really therapeutic.

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Hidden Voices Kids 2B Listened 2

• Group for 5 11 year olds who are survivors of
  domestic abuse and have completed the Butterfly
  Programme
• Not a therapeutic group but a group to enable
  young people to have a voice
• Build on Self-esteem
• Hot Seat
• Other activities

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InPACT Programme

• Intervening in Partnership Abuse Change for
  Tomorrow
• Funded by DAAT (Drug Alcohol Action Team) to
  2008

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InPACT

• InPACT is a member of Respect
• Respect is a national membership organisation
  promoting best practise for Domestic Violence
  Perpetrator programmes and associated support
  services.
• A 32 Week Voluntary Programme for men who want to
  change their behaviour
• This is not a court mandated programme
• The men need to be ready to address their
  abusive behaviour
• Complimented by a partner service

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InPACT

• The programme we use has been developed by the D
  V I P Hammersmith (Domestic Violence
  Intervention Project)
• The Programme is facilitated using 1 to 1 and
  Group Male Perpetrator Work
• 1 male and 1 female worker deliver the programme
• The programme is run over 32 weeks and is split
  into two stages
• Each session will last 3 hours with a 15 minute
  break
• There is a third stage meeting monthly

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Criteria for acceptance on the Perpetrator
programme

• The man is able to acknowledge his use of
  violence
• He is able to see that his use of violence is a
  problem in and of itself
• He is able to accept responsibility for ending
  his use of violence
• His emotional and psychological well being and
  current or previous mental health problems will
  not prevent him from benefiting from the
  programme
• His attendance is not likely to increase the risk
  to the safety of his (ex)-partner, his children
  or others

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Referrals
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InPACTPartner Service

• Proactive Contact by post and/or telephone
• Follow Up Contact and Support
• Expectations about the Perpetrator Programme
• Safety Planning
• Emotional and Practical Support
• Giving Clear Messages
• Giving Information Signposting

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Ross House

• Refuge Supported Accommodation for Women
  Children
• Funded by Supporting People, Housing Benefit and
  Womens Service Charge

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Ross House

• Purpose built refuge for women and children
  escaping domestic abuse.
• Referrals are accepted on an individual
  assessment basis.
• Practical and emotional support is provided to
  women within the refuge through a team of refuge
  workers.
• Priority is given to addressing domestic abuse.

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Ross House

• A Children's Project Worker funded by Children in
  Need works to encourage children to understand
  and express the impact of domestic abuse on them.
• An Activities/Sports Project Worker funded by
  Sport England encourages, supports and enables
  women and children to participate in activities
  together.
• A Resettlement Worker is closely involved with
  women upon entering refuge in order to support
  them more effectively when they move into their
  own homes.
• A Floating Support Service is provided via the
  refuge to clients referred by the Housing High
  Priority Panel.

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Inside Ross House
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KDVSS

• Thank You
• Any Questions?

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Office addresses main telephone numbers

• First Step Centre
• St Martins Church Hall
• Peatwood Avenue
• Kirkby
• L32 7PR
• Telephone [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• Refuge postal address
• KDVSS
• P O Box 108
• L32 7WY
• Telephone [phone]
• Fax [phone]