Equality Impact Assessment - Domestic Violence Policy and Procedure

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The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames

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Function being assessed:

Domestic Violence Policy and Procedure

Is this a new function or a review of an existing function?

Review of existing function

What are the aims/purpose of the function?

To inform and provide appropriate support for victims of Domestic Violence and taking necessary action against the perpetrators of Domestic Violence by working with the Police.

To make a commitment to tackling Domestic Violence within the Housing Departments’ resident portfolio.

To coordinate support with other partner agencies and RBK departments for victims and any children and to increase safety measures for them.

The policy contains service assurances for our residents on how they would be supported.

Is the function designed to meet specific needs such as the needs of minority ethnic groups, older people, disabled people etc?

The Domestic Violence Policy and Procedure is to provide support to our Residents who are victims of abuse.

Domestic Violence can affect any individual within society however some specific groups are more vulnerable especially women from existing data both national and local. Domestic Violence cuts across ethnicity, age, gender, sexuality, disability and religion or beliefs and class/status.

It is important to be aware that victims of Domestic Violence sometimes suffer more violence because of additional factors such as their mental health, learning disabilities or religion or beliefs.

What information has been gathered on this function? (Indicate the type of information gathered e.g. statistics, consultation, other monitoring information)? Attach a summary or refer to where the evidence can be found.

Ethnic Origin Statistics for General Needs Housing – Jan 07 to Dec 07.

23 cases in total of which

11 White British

1 Mixed Race

1 Afro Caribbean

10 cases unknown

Membership and contribution to Kingston Multi Agency Domestic Violence Forum

Data can be provided to contribute to the understanding of Domestic Violence in the Borough which forms part of the overall remit of the Kingston Safer Partnership.

Membership and contribution to Kingston Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC)

Data provided will be personal and confidential for the MARAC which is responsible for monitoring and agreeing action on high risk individual cases and therefore confidential.

Contribution to any murder review which may be undertaken by the Police.
All information supplied contributes to the Safer Kingston Partnership

Does your analysis of the information show different outcomes for different groups (higher or lower uptake/failure to access/receive a poorer or inferior service)? If yes, indicate which groups and which aspects of the policy or function contribute to inequality?

The data at present gives us an understanding of the individuals who have requested for assistance. The data should be interpreted with caution because of the small numbers.

The Domestic Violence Forum seeks to ensure that the service is published and made available to everyone who may need the support because they are victims of domestic violence.

All victims will be treated in a consistent manner through the individual implementation of the policy and procedure in each case. However the outcomes can be different due to the circumstances and the level of evidence and information collected.

Overall the policy and procedure is to ensure that the Council does not tolerate domestic violence and will take necessary action against the perpetrators.

National and Local data informs us that there are more women victims than men.

Whilst is believed that there is under reporting from both men and women, there is a need to ensure that the service is fully accessible to males suffering from domestic violence.

Women in general may be fearful to report being victims of domestic violence. There may be also under reporting from minority ethnic groups due to various pressures e.g cultural or religious.

Are these differences justified (e.g. are there legislative or other constraints)? If they are, explain in what way.

The data at present does not capture all the information within the equality strands to give us a clear picture on domestic violence. This should improve over time now that we are collecting on the other equality strands.

The policy and procedure will ensure that our services are delivered in an equitable, fair and consistent way.

What action needs to be taken as a result of this Equality Impact Assessment to address any detrimental impacts or meet previously unidentified need? Include here any reasonable adjustments for access by disabled people. Include dates by which action will be taken. Attach an action plan if necessary.

Procedure requires reviewing and then review and report on a proactive basis following this, preferably annually
Equalities training – November and December 2008.
Data collection is only recorded on an ethnic basis up to Nov 2007. From Nov 2007 all equality strands will be monitored.
Monthly statistic production from November 2007
Recording of outcomes of cases needs to be monitored
Recording of location of cases needs to be monitored
Quarterly agenda item for team meetings to analysis, commencing January 2009.
Senior Estate Managers to report to Head of Estate Services on quarterly basis following analysis.
Identified failures or deficiencies in this service to be reported to Head of Housing Management along with action plan towards improvement.
Work in partnership with the DV Coordinator to make sure that tenants feel they are able to report DV incidents and provide adequate support to the victims and reduce repeat victimisation.
Work to improve publicity of related Domestic Violence services within the borough in conjunction with the Domestic Violence Forum
This will feed into the New Performance Framework for Local Authorities e.g NI 32, 34 and PSA 23 on safer communities and work with our partners.

When will you evaluate the impact of action taken? Give review dates.

Quarterly work with data collection from Nov 2007
Quarterly analysis through team meetings from then on January 2009
Any findings from initial analysis to be reported to Head of Housing Management January 2009
April 2009 – assessment of analytical analysis through team meetings
Review data and findings with Domestic Violence Coordinator on an annual basis which will feed in to the Kingston Safer Partnership data.
Review and report on an annual basis on the equality strands.

Assessment completed by:

Anna Clarke

Head of Estate Services

September 2008

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