PE501-SG-10 PRACTICE GUIDELINES TO SUPPORT THE REPORT DOMESTIC ABUSE AND THE METHODIST CHURCH TAKING ACTION

Transcription

1 PE501-SG-10 PRACTICE GUIDELINES TO SUPPORT THE REPORT DOMESTIC ABUSE AND THE METHODIST CHURCH TAKING ACTION

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3 Contents 0 1 Introduction 4 2 Aims 5 3 About poicy 5 4 Charter 6 5 Responsibiity 7 6 Prevention, protection and justice, provision and support 7 7 How can the Church participate in prevention? 8 8 Further training 11 9 What happens when there are aegations of abuse? What is the roe of the church in offering protection 14 and support to survivors of abuse? 11 Discosure fow chart What about pastora support for perpetrators? 18 Resources 13 Basic principes for pastora workers and isteners What support agencies provide hep, and what do they do? Mode poicy and action pan for a oca church Further resources 25 Second edition August 2010 Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse 3

4 1 Introduction These guideines have been deveoped to support districts, circuits and churches in foowing through the resoution and recommendations from the report Domestic Abuse and the Methodist Church Taking Action, brought to Methodist Conference in June 2005 (agenda no.48). In the report, the main focus is on abuse of women by mae partners, but abuse of a kinds is unacceptabe, thus these Good Practice Guideines appy in any reationship (1.5). The terms vioence / abuse are used interchangeaby throughout this report. The Home Office describes domestic vioence as foows: Domestic vioence is any threatening behaviour, vioence or abuse between aduts who are or have been in a reationship, or between famiy members. It can affect anybody, regardess of their gender or sexuaity. The vioence can be psychoogica, physica, sexua or emotiona. It can incude honour-based vioence, femae genita mutiation, and forced marriage. Whatever form it takes, domestic vioence is rarey a one-off incident. Usuay it s a pattern of abusive and controing behaviour through which an abuser seeks power over their famiy member or partner. Domestic vioence occurs across a of society, regardess of age, gender, race, sexuaity, weath or geography. Women are more ikey than men to be victims of domestic vioence, and chidren are aso affected they can be traumatised by what they ve seen, and there is a strong connection between domestic vioence and chid abuse. 4 Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse Second edition August 2010

5 Aims 2 To raise awareness about domestic abuse in districts, circuits and oca church communities. To increase awareness of and access to support services for victims of domestic abuse and where appropriate for perpetrators. To offer suitabe training from appropriate speciaist agencies for key staff and reevant church eaders and to encourage church members to undertake basic training. To encourage churches to become paces of safety. To encourage coaborative working with other denominations and agencies. The Methodist Church seeks to offer a safe pace for a peope in its worship and its community ife, where boundaries that safeguard acceptabe behaviour are known and respected, practices are openy addressed and where inappropriate or harmfu behaviours and attitudes are addressed. About Poicy 3 In its Recommendations, Domestic Abuse and the Methodist Church Taking Action proposes that churches adopt a code of practice which is based on the Charter on page 6 of these guideines. Deveoping poicy is not just about having a poicy statement, but aso about gaining a working knowedge of the effects of domestic abuse on a invoved, and using pastora and practica strategies to assist peope who are in an abusive reationship. A poicy heps peope think through the issues. Poicy documents give a structure to the work of prevention and support, and are a usefu reference for monitoring. (Domestic Abuse and the Methodist Church Taking Action 4.1 and Recommendation 1) These guideines incude the Charter, and aso a mode poicy for a oca church (Section 14, p22), that demonstrates how the Charter can be used to deveop an action pan for the church in straightforward stages. Second edition August 2010 Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse 5

6 4 Charter This church - 1 hods that domestic abuse in a its forms is unacceptabe and inconsistent/ incompatibe with the Christian faith and a Christian way of iving; 2 accepts that domestic abuse is a serious probem which occurs in church famiies as we as in wider society; 3 undertakes to isten, support and care for those affected by domestic vioence; 4 wi work with the support agencies, wi earn from them and support them in appropriate ways, and wi pubicise their work; 5 wi pay its part in teaching that domestic vioence is a sin; 6 beieves in a God of ove, justice, mercy, and forgiveness; 7 wi teach what it means to be mae and femae, equay made in God s image; 8 wi seek to appoint advisors to encourage the use of good practice guideines and keep the Church informed about the impementation and deveopment of this Charter and the Recommendations of this report. (From a Charter deveoped by Churches Together in Goucestershire, and adapted by Churches Together in the Merseyside Region, The Baptist Union of Great Britain, and others) 6 Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse Second edition August 2010

7 Responsibiity 5 (Domestic Abuse and the Methodist Church Taking Action 4.5) In each district, the working party suggests that a group (or an individua) is set up which takes responsibiity for domestic abuse issues by foowing up the recommendations of the report Taking Action and the resoutions from Conference. It may be possibe for this to be part of the responsibiity of the Safeguarding Officer, or in any event shoud be done in cose iaison with her/him. This wi entai encouraging the dissemination of and use of these Good Practice Guideines; deveoping a ibrary of resource materias and information, using avaiabe resources such as those isted in the Resources section of these guideines (p18 onwards); encouraging oca churches and circuits to be aware of reevant oca phone numbers and support services; being a point of contact for ministers, ay eaders, and church members and abe to offer advice and information to them; advising and informing the district, and monitoring practice; enabing and encouraging workshops and other forms of training through networking with oca support services and agencies encouraging the district to mark 25 th November as the internationa day against Vioence Against Women, or its cosest Sunday Prevention, Protection and Justice, Provision and Support 6 Across Engand, Waes and Scotand there are now comprehensive provisions for responding to domestic vioence in the courts. These cover matters deat with in the crimina, civi and famiy courts. Advice about any of these matters shoud be without charge from soicitors, using pubic funding. Detaied information can be found on the Women s Aid website, and the Rights of Women website provides a detaied Injunctions Handbook. Second edition August 2010 Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse 7

8 7 How Can The Church Participate In Prevention? (Domestic Abuse and the Methodist Church Taking Action 4.7) Raising awareness through teaching and worship Working with chidren and young peope Sharing information about oca agencies Training peope at a eves of the Church 7.1 Raising awareness through teaching and worship (see Domestic Abuse and the Methodist Church Taking Action, Sections II and III 3.6 to 3.10) Worship eaders can speak out against domestic abuse in preaching, teaching and prayers especiay but not excusivey on November 25 th. (The Internationa Day of Action Against Vioence Against Women.) Usefu materia can be found in these guideines in Section 16 Further resources (p23), and in the Theoogy section (Section II) of Domestic Abuse and the Methodist Church Taking Action. Ministers, deacons and church eaders shoud be offered resources so that they can give cear statements that domestic abuse is wrong, and tacke the myths that perpetuate disregard of abuse (see Domestic Abuse and the Methodist Church Taking Action Section I p13). Gender inequaity must continuay be chaenged in a aspects of the ife of the Church. Opportunity to discuss these issues within the church community shoud be offered in districts, circuits and oca churches. Language shoud refect our beiefs about equaity and dignity, and not increasingy marginaise those who may aready fee of itte vaue. 1 Thought needs to be given to the way we use the Bibe, and how theoogica emphases can be affirming or damaging to those caught up in abusive situations (see Domestic Abuse and the Methodist Church Taking Action, Section II Theoogy). 7.2 Working with chidren and young peope There is an increasing awareness of Safeguarding throughout the Church in reation to chidren, young peope and aduts when they are vunerabe. An addition to existing poicies is recommended, providing cear information on what to do if a chid or young person discoses information about domestic abuse. This shoud incude recognising the need to ask someone competent for advice, and who to approach. Workers with young peope, Sunday schoo and Junior Church teachers, and eaders of weekday cubs for chidren and young peope shoud be given some training on domestic abuse, aongside eaders ministering to the adut congregation. 1 Incusive Language and Imagery about God. Report to Methodist Conference Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse Second edition August 2010

9 How Can The Church Participate In Prevention? 7 Leaders shoud aim to affirm and mode good, positive reationships in their work with young peope. Awareness of the oca schoos Persona, Heath and Socia Education (PHSE) programme can be used to open discussion about respect in partnerships and working reationships. Discussion might incude such topics as What quaities do I vaue in peope I know and in my rôe modes? What does it mean to respect difference? When shoud I keep a secret for mysef or a friend? Who can I go to for hep and support? 2 Youth eaders can be encouraged to invite a guest speaker to stimuate discussion, perhaps from the Domestic Vioence Forum or the Poice Famiy Unit. 7.3 Sharing information about oca agencies Loca churches are encouraged to dispay posters and information from the oca support agencies - Domestic Vioence Forum, Women s Aid, Refuge, Victim Support, Respect and to make the phone number of the oca women s refuge avaiabe in the church and ha. See Section 14 (p19) for contact information. These can hep to make it cear that the church is safe for victims to tak and is a pace where perpetrators wi be chaenged. Links can be made with reevant ecumenica organisations such as Churches Together in Engand (CTE), Action of Churches Together in Scotand (ACTS), CYTÛN (Churches Together in Waes), the Word Counci of Churches Project to Overcome Vioence Against Women and the new campaign Restored a of which have usefu resources or contacts. (See Section 16 Further resources, p24) MARACs (muti-agency risk assessment conferences) now operate across the United Kingdom. These meetings consider the most serious 10% of domestic vioence cases. They receive referras from the poice, Domestic Vioence workers (DV), Womens Aid and any other vountary agency or group that wishes to make a referra. This incudes the oca church, usuay via a DV worker or someone ese working specificay in this fied. The aim is to deveop a safety pan in each case based on the combined knowedge and commitment of everyone working with the famiy and then track progress over coming months. Information is avaiabe through CAADA (coordinated action against domestic abuse) Churches or circuits are encouraged to join the oca Domestic Vioence Forum (most towns and districts now have a such a Forum). These can be found through the phone book or Citizens Advice Bureaux, or via the internet. 2 Taken from Respectfu Reationships: Raising awareness of Domestic Abuse in Primary Schoo Peterborough Domestic Vioence Forum Second edition August 2010 Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse 9

10 7 How Can The Church Participate In Prevention? 7.4 Training peope at a eves of the Church The main report, Domestic Abuse and the Methodist Church Taking Action, covers the subject of training, in paragraphs Training and awareness-raising wi need to incude those preparing for pastora ministry, in-service training, and training in circuits and oca churches. Basic awareness of the extent and effects of domestic abuse on individuas, famiies and society shoud be an essentia part of core training for a pastora ministry. Training wi assist individuas and churches to refect on how domestic abuse affects everyone caught up in it, and how best they might support someone within their church community. Basic istening skis, and understanding when more hep is needed, must be incuded in the training for pastora workers and isteners. (See Section 13, p18) It is aso vita that peope at a eves of the Church are encouraged to refect upon the issues raised in the Theoogy Section (Section II) of Domestic Abuse and the Methodist Church Taking Action. Domestic Abuse and the Methodist Church Taking Action aso emphasises (paragraphs ) the importance of coaborative working with other agencies. This can incude both the sharing of good practice, and benefitting from speciaist expertise. Agencies such as the oca Domestic Vioence Forum, Women s Aid, or the oca Safeguarding Board may offer training modues at different eves for other statutory and vountary bodies (see Section 8 for more information). They are usuay very wiing to work with churches to provide training or information. Coaborative working has a strategic pace in enabing the church to pay a positive roe in the community. Circuits may ike to consider setting up a study day to hep raise awareness in oca church congregations of the issues. 10 Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse Second edition August 2010

11 Further Training 8 The Methodist Church has a network of Training and Officers who are a point of contact for a training. Participating in a training day set up for other agencies is an exceent way of discovering how others work, and enabes opportunity to deveop good networking practice. This means it is much easier to access support from other agencies, as we as being abe to offer appropriate support from the church, when that is needed. Training modues may use video cips, agency presentations, and group work. Modues may incude the foowing: Basic training 1 Raising Awareness: What is domestic abuse? Looking at the myths Understanding attitudes What do other agencies do, and how do they work? Networking with other agencies 2 What are the effects of domestic abuse on women, men and chidren? Speciaist training Life cyce events Effect on sef-esteem and behaviour Why do women stay? What hep is avaiabe? Links between chid abuse and domestic abuse What about contact issues? Links with acoho and drug abuse Effects on heath In addition, some paces wi have the faciity to present specific training modues for those working with particuar groups of peope directy invoved in abusive situations, but this is more speciaised training: 3 Working with victims and survivors 4 Working with perpetrators 5 Working with chidren Second edition August 2010 Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse 11

12 9 What Happens When There Are Aegations Of Abuse? When aegations are made, there are immediatey questions which need to be considered. There are degrees of urgency and risk where discosure and aegation are concerned. Peope may discose ong-standing abuse, which may have ended or be on-going. A victim may be safe but traumatised, where there is no new aegation or discosure, but support and heaing are sti needed. Another issue is about poice invovement a victim shoud not be under any pressure to invove the poice in order to get a response from the church. Questions to have in mind in deciding how to proceed incude - Are the victim and any chidren in immediate danger? (see Section 11 Discosure Fow Chart on p15 of these guideines) Has the victim voiced a concern about someone, or is someone ese doing so? In the atter case, is the victim aware this is being raised? Ask yoursef if this is ikey to be a forma compaint under the churches discipinary procedure, or is it primariy a need for hep and support? Has there been a compaint to the poice, and if so, what action has been taken? Congregations caught up in the situation may need hep; hoding the tension (eg between those who are on the side of one partner or the other) can be very difficut. This is where the support of wider church (circuit or district) can be invauabe, and coud be part of the roe of those with district responsibiity. (see Domestic Abuse and the Methodist Church Taking Action Section III and these guideines Section 5 Responsibiity) Offering support and protection invoves recognising the need for work with perpetrators to be undertaken by someone with speciaist skis, and where pastora support from the church can be offered aongside. There is a distinction between an abuse where there is aready a crimina investigation, or the abuser is subject to a court order, and an aegation which has not been taken to the poice. It is at this point that most churches wi fee the need to consut with someone with district responsibiity in order to make an appropriate response where appointed or iase with a oca speciaist agencies.( see pp for nationa speciaist hep) It is aso important to remember that abused and abuser cannot both be supported in the same church community uness that is the express, independent wish of each, nor can they be supported pastoray by the same person. 12 Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse Second edition August 2010

13 What Happens When There Are Aegations Of Abuse? 9 Safety of ministers, deacons and church workers The safety of church workers is important. Good practice in pastora istening, whether by a minister or deacon, a ay eader, or another member of the church community, means that there wi aways be more than one person on the premises during panned meetings. Quiet and confidentia paces shoud be avaiabe for istening, but ideay someone ese shoud aso be aware of where and when confidentia istening is taking pace. This protection is for both istener and the one seeking hep. It is important that those who isten know when it is essentia to say that they must tak to someone ese, whether it is for their own need, or for that of the seeker or when it is mandatory. (eg awareness of chid abuse or other safety issues or crimina action) Those who are istening need to be aware of the nature of, and constraints of pastora reationships. Second edition August 2010 Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse 13

14 10 What Is The Roe Of The Church In Offering Protection And Support To Survivors Of Abuse? 10.1 Responding appropriatey This invoves providing resources for individuas and church communities so that they can respond appropriatey and hepfuy to aegations of domestic abuse, recognising that abused women and men find it difficut to te their story and may approach a friend in the congregation rather than a minister or pastora worker. Research tes us that women may approach a number of individuas before finding beief and reassurance. It is ikey that a distressed woman wi sound out a friend or reative before approaching anyone in authority. Mae victims of abuse aso find it very difficut to confide in anyone. Professiona expertise is essentia for more speciaist work but it is essentia that tacking domestic abuse is not sideined, but is made the responsibiity of the whoe church community. Training in how to respond is aso essentia if someone is not beieved, or is not istened to appropriatey, or if good information and support is not given, their progress can be put back for years. Perpetrators. It is important to be abe to hod perpetrators to account but aso to be abe to respond to perpetrators seeking hep. [See these guideines Section 12 What about pastora care for perpetrators?] 10.2 The roe of the church In these circumstances, the roe of the church is to wak aongside the victim on the journey back to whoeness. This may be done in partnership with speciaist hep from other agencies. Churches can offer rea friendship at times of isoation and ow sef esteem, offering encouragement and hope so that the individua can start to fee safe. The cuture of the oca church is important (see Domestic Abuse and the Methodist Church Taking Action Section III). Church ife, which has an openness, where processes are transparent and peope fee they can be honest with each other, wi aow an abused person or an abuser to tak about what is happening Safety first This is where the basic principes for pastora workers and isteners are hepfu (see these guideines, Section 13 (p18)). i ii Beief in what is being said has to be the starting point when someone makes a discosure of domestic abuse, as with chid abuse. What kind of support is the person ooking for or needing? This wi depend on many factors not east the emotiona state of the victim and the nearness of the perpetrator. Trust and confidentiaity are vita for the safety and we being of the victim and those who are supporting them. Once a support reationship has been estabished between victim and istener other agencies can be contacted for more specific advice and hep. It is important to reaise that from the moment of discosure the victim can usuay ony cope with taking one step at a time. 14 Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse Second edition August 2010

15 What Is The Roe Of The Church In Offering Protection And Support To Survivors Of Abuse? 10 iii Essentia for maintaining the safety of the person aeging abuse and the famiy are confidentiaity. one church or one pastora carer, shoud not try to support both partners in one feowship uness this is the expressed wish of each, individuay (in which case reference shoud be made to the District support person or group). Trying to support both partners makes the church unsafe for the victim and may be seen to condone the behaviour of the abuser. It shoud never be the victim who has to eave the church uness this is the ony safe option. working with other agencies it is essentia that the church members, ministers or pastora workers do not take on a rôe outside their competence. in the case of aegations against ministers, or staff members, the Methodist Church s compaints procedure shoud be foowed. iv. Emergency pan Where appropriate, tak through an emergency pan to ensure that a victim who decides to return home can escape safey at any time. More information is avaiabe about governemnt services from or in the vountary sector from The key points for emergency panning are: 1 Pan an emergency escape and get your neighbours support if possibe 2 Keep money safe for taxis, bus fares and teephone cas. 3 Make sure you have your own key to the house. 4 Have cothes ready for you and your chidren in case of need. 5 Get the teephone numbers of your nearest Women s Aid group, the Poice, Samaritans, Socia Services your GP and any persona numbers you need. 6 Try to have your Post Office Chid Benefit Account Card, your rent book, bank book, marriage and birth certificates, passport and driving ivence with you when you eave Confidentiaity Confidentiaity needs to be emphasised. It is vita that those offering support keep confidences over addresses, information about chidren and schoos etc, and about where and when it is safe to contact the person who is being abused. It is important not to undertake to pass on etters from the perpetrator - the victim knows where the perpetrator ives and can contact them if they wish. Second edition August 2010 Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse 15

16 10 What Is The Roe Of The Church In Offering Protection And Support To Survivors Of Abuse? 10.5 Chidren Chidren are aso at risk in situations of abuse. They know much more than parents suspect. 90% are in the same room or next room when abuses are happening. Chidren who see a parent being abused may be physicay injured trying to intervene, and in any event are at risk of emotiona and psychoogica abuse. There is aso increasing evidence of crossover between domestic vioence and other forms of direct chid abuse. This highights the importance of a Safeguarding poicy, and of aways knowing and respecting the imits on confidentiaity when a chid is at risk Offering support and referring on It may be appropriate to refer to another agency or the district the Connexion for support. When there are no chidren, permission from the victim must be sought before doing this. Ask if the victim woud ike another opportunity to tak with you or carify what is hoped for from the church and what it is reaistic to offer. If the victim does not wish you to refer to another agency, you shoud provide key contact detais, so that they can make contact in their own time if they so wish. (See Section 14, p19) 10.7 Risks Leaders and workers must be aware that the greatest risk for the victims of domestic abuse is at separation or immediatey after separation. NB it is NOT the roe of the church or its minister or members to intervene between partners. 16 Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse Second edition August 2010

17 Discosure Fow Chart 11 RESPECT Beieve the victim Do not ask for proof of vioence Assure the victim it is not their faut. Re-assure that confidentiaity wi be maintained but expain its boundaries. No Are there chidren invoved? Yes Emphasise the effects of domestic vioence on chidren e.g. physica danger, witnessing it. Discuss concerns with your safeguarding contact, and foow the church Safeguarding Procedure. No Does Does the victim fee in immediate danger? Yes No Further action requested? Yes NO ACTION? Your time has been we spent. The victim wi know s/he can return to you for further hep, that she has been beieved, and that s/he is not in the wrong. You may be abe to offer other opportunities to come and tak.you cannot make a victim of domestic vioence take any action. The most you may be abe to do is isten and provide information. Do record what you have been tod and your actions if any, and note your concern. You may want to discuss your concern with the person who hods district responsibiity if so get the permission of the victim Date the record, and keep it confidentiay DON T FEEL RESPONSIBLE IF YOU CAN T DO MORE THAN THIS SAFETY FIRST Be aware that any intervention may put the victim, you, or your coeagues in danger. Be guided by what the victim wants, not by what you think they need. Consider the immediate time/ venue constraints. Outine avaiabe reaistic options eg poice, Women s Aid, Refuge, safe house. Suppy appropriate information, eafets and contact numbers. Make a referra on the victim s behaf (with their permission) if that is wanted Document the incidents and actions and keep safey. Continue to maintain pastora support and contact. Second edition August 2010 Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse 17

18 12 What About Pastora Support For Perpetrators? Chaenging perpetrators to take responsibiity for their attitudes and actions is part of demonstrating that the church considers domestic abuse unacceptabe. However, working with perpetrators is extraordinariy difficut work, which ministers and deacons are not trained to do. Despite what a perpetrator might say, or sometimes a minister feeing that this is a part of pastora care, it is better that work with perpetrators be undertaken by someone with speciaist training, and a proven track record. Appropriate pastora support can be offered in addition to this, from the presbyter or deacon preferaby with the knowedge and co-operation of the speciaist, or agency concerned. Pastora care for perpetrators shoud be provided by a church and supporters who are not at the same time providing care and support for the victims or survivors. There are not many intervention programmes working with perpetrators, and those run by the probation service work mainy with men who have been convicted. Communities wi need to be reaistic about the eve of support which can safey and effectivey be offered to perpetrators who do not have externa support. Pastora Care for Perpetrators - Guideines Time for Action has reproduced Pastoring Guidance for those who support chid sexua abusers, taken from the Code of Practice for the Diocese of Southwe. It emphasises the view that most professionas who work with perpetrators beieve they wi need maintenance counseing for the rest of their ives. In theoogica terms, recovery from the sin of sexua abuse is a daiy ongoing process. 1 The proposas outined here are very simiar to those in Time for Action - Those who are providing support shoud fee abe to work aongside agencies or services working with the individua on a vaidated, accredited intervention programme, with the knowedge of the individua concerned. (This may be a probation officer.) It shoud be made cear that it is expected that individuas who are known to be perpetrators wi accept whatever discipine the church has agreed, either through the nationa organisation, or by the oca congregation. There shoud be cear guideines on recruitment and discipine, with reference to domestic abuse, as there are for chid abuse and for sex offenders: for exampe, whether someone is imited in hoding specific offices. If this means a perpetrator worshipping at a different church, not attending particuar groups, not taking eadership roes, then this shoud be seen as part of the acceptance of the need for repentance and the desire to ead a new ife in a different way. It may be appropriate to draw up a contract between the church and the perpetrator, which outines any activities, roes or behaviour which are proscribed and any agreed activities. The contract wi be known ony to the minister, those who are providing support, and any essentia officers of the church, and to whoever is working immediatey with the individua concerned (eg probation officer). 1 Time for Action Appendix 1 page Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse Second edition August 2010

19 What About Pastora Support For Perpetrators? 12 Desire to see the best in peope must not coud reaistic expectations and perceptions Those who are providing support wi need their own ongoing support, and opportunity to ensure they remain comfortabe with that roe, and the issues which may be raised. Second edition August 2010 Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse 19

20 13 Basic Principes Of Good Practice For Pastora Workers And Listeners PRIVACY RESPECT CONFIDENTIALITY BELIEVE WHAT IS SAID REASSURANCE KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS SAFETY Ensure that there is a private pace, where someone wanting to tak is comfortabe to speak. Don t put yoursef at risk. Aow enough time to tak, and LISTEN. It is important to be NON- JUDGEMENTAL, as peope may be afraid they wi be condemned by the church. Treat peope with respect and sensitivity it is difficut enough to tak about these issues. Don t ask what they did to provoke abuse. Treat what is said in confidence. Let the individua know that the istener can be trusted, but aso ensure that they are aware of the imits of confidentiaity. It might be necessary for safety reasons, either for the individua or for a chid, that some information is shared. Aways be prepared to ask the victim if you may speak to someone who can offer further hep, or to expain if an issues arises where you are aware of the need to tak to someone ese for exampe, if chid abuse is aso an issue, or if safety is compromised. Victims of abuse need to be beieved, and fear that they won t be, and may easiy be discouraged from ever speaking out again if they sense disbeief. It may be necessary to reassure someone who is suffering or has suffered from abuse more than once, that abuse is not the faut of the victim. Recognise the work of other agencies and work with them. Be abe to signpost someone to services that can hep, and encourage them to use appropriate hep. Offer to accompany them to an appointment if that woud hep. Safety is the first priority for the victim and any chidren. Pan ahead when possibe, so that workers or coeagues are not paced in a dangerous situation, and take sensibe precautions to avoid putting yoursef in danger. It is not safe to check the story with the perpetrator, or to chaenge him in any direct way. To do so paces the victim, chidren and yoursef at serious risk. If it is absoutey necessary to raise the issue with the perpetrator, you shoud pan carefuy and usuay obtain professiona advice before doing so. 20 Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse Second edition August 2010

21 Which Agencies Provide Hep, And What Do They Do? 14 Training and support for workers DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FORUM Most areas now have a domestic vioence forum, at which both statutory and vountary agencies are represented, to enabe agencies to work and pan together, with a fu-time or part-time co-ordinator who can offer information. The Forum wi usuay offer training opportunities at different eves for those who need to be aware, and for those who are working directy with victims or perpetrators. Detais can be found through the phone book or through Citizens Advice Bureaux. CAADA/MARAC Muti-agency risk assessment conferences are hed for the most serious situations. The aims is to produce a shared safety pan that a agencies work to. A referra to MARAC can be made by anyone working with the famiy. More information on the CAADA website (coordinated action against domestic abuse) RESPECT is a registered charity and nationa membership organisation, promoting best practice for domestic vioence perpetrator programmes and associated support services in the UK. Among RESPECT s aim are the beief that safety is the primary goa of a work with perpetrators and that domestic vioence is unacceptabe and must be chaenged, that men can change, that men are responsibe for their use of vioence. RESPECT wi provide information for those who are endeavouring to offer pastora hep for perpetrators. The Nationa Hepine is open Monday Friday 10am 1pm and 2pm 5pm. Men who are perpetrators of abuse on a partner can themseves ring. The hepine wi aso take cas from other professionas, from concerned reatives, and about concern in other reationships. RESPECT wi offer advice and aim to put caers in contact with appropriate oca support. NATIONAL HELPLINE NUMBER Support and hep for victims WOMEN S AID is the key vountary agency in this fied. Loca services may vary, but wi usuay offer emergency accommodation and often outreach support services. Each oca WA agency is autonomous, but inked to the nationa refuge network, through the Nationa Federation. Scottish Women s Aid is a separate federation. WALES SCOTLAND REFUGE aso offer emergency accommodation and one-to-one counseing support in some areas. Second edition August 2010 Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse 21

22 14 Which Agencies Provide Hep, And What Do They Do? REFUGE PROVISION is avaiabe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year through a nationa hepine run by Women s Aid and Refuge. FREEPHONE ENGLAND NATIONAL 24HR HELPLINE SCOTLAND 24HR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HELPLINE WALES 24HR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HELPLINE POLICE / PUBLIC PROTECTION UNIT The poice are often the first point of contact when domestic vioence takes pace. They aim to protect the victims, identify and protect chidren who may be at risk, take action where a crime has been committed and an offender identified, ensure appropriate support for the victim, identify cases of repeat victimisation and seek to provide necessary support. CHILDREN S SERVICES When chidren are present or invoved, information may be shared with Chidren s Socia Care by the Poice, in order that the most appropriate support can offered, dependent on the avaiabe information and risk factors. NATIONAL PROBATION SERVICE The Nationa Probation Service works with both perpetrators and victims of domestic abuse. It aso supervises peope on community sentences for domestic vioence offences, and those on reease from a custodia sentence under icence. The Service works to recognised nationa standards. HOUSING Loca priorities and poicies may differ, but councis have a duty to arrange housing for anyone who is homeess, in priority need, and not intentionay homeess. It may hep a victim to be accompanied to an appointment, to have a record of the episodes of vioence, and to have supporting evidence from a socia worker or doctor. In Scotand, the Protection from Abuse (Scotand) Act 2001 ensures the right of the abused person to remain in the famiy home in safety by the use of interdict and power to arrest the abuser. HEALTH Domestic abuse has a substantia impact on the heath and wefare of aduts and chidren, and heath care services are often the first point of contact for peope iving with domestic abuse. Victims may be reuctant to discose what is happening to them, but often they are hoping someone wi notice or ask, and so can be encouraged to speak to their heath care workers, and may have an excuse for attending for some other reason. HELP FOR DISABLED WOMEN experiencing abuse can be accessed through CHILDREN NEEDING HELP can find information at SUPPORT FOR OLDER PEOPLE The charity Action on Eder Abuse campaigns for the prevention of abuse of oder peope Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse Second edition August 2010

23 Which Agencies Provide Hep, And What Do They Do? 14 NATIONAL HELPLINE for oder peope Support for mae victims of abuse and vioence MALE (Men s Advice Line and Enquiries) nationa hepine SURVIVORS UK Open Mon, Tues, Thurs 7pm 9.30pm Hep for men who have been sexuay abused or raped Support for gay, esbian and bisexua victims of domestic vioence and sexua abuse BROKEN RAINBOW HOTLINE Open Mon 2 8pm, Wed 10am 1pm, Thurs 2 8pm. Hep for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexua and Transgender victims of domestic vioence Other Agencies Some of the agencies beow wi aso have a oca number in the phone book, which shoud aso be made avaiabe in any oca pubicity. RAPE CRISIS UK VICTIM SUPPORT VICTIM SUPPORT SCOTLAND CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAUX Contact oca branch ALCOHOL AND DRUGS ADVISORY SERVICES Contact oca agencies AGENCIES WORKING WITH MINORITY ETHNIC GROUPS The foowing offer advice across the UK Afruca If chidren are invoved Africans Unite Against Chid Abuse CIAC Chinese information and advice centre ex 211 Kiran Project Asian Women s support LAWRS (Latin American Women s Rights Service) Southa Back Sisters For Asian, African and African-Caribbean women Mon Fri 10am 5pm Cosed Wed NSPCC Nationa Chid Protection Hepine SAMARITANS (UK) Second edition August 2010 Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse 23

24 15 Mode Poicy And Action Pan For A Loca Church Aims and intentions This poicy aims to encourage the church feowship and organisations 1 to raise awareness about domestic abuse and its impact on individuas, chidren, the wider famiy and the community 2 to ensure that teaching and worship refect awareness of gender justice, use appropriate anguage, and say ceary that domestic abuse is wrong and must be condemned and affirm the Methodist Church stance that a human reationships are to be cherished. 3 to ensure that the safety of individuas suffering abuse or seeking hep is the first priority, and to be aware of the need for confidentiaity (uness there are specific indications to the contrary, such as chid protection or safety issues) 4 to consider how best to provide support and information for anyone seeking hep 5 to encourage discussion of how the church might ensure those who fee marginaized are made wecome 6 to inform discussion on impementing the good practice guideines, and the underpinning theoogy and principes. Action Pan 1 Discussion with the church eaders, introduction to the church meeting, affirmation of the poicy. 2 Defining the church s expectations of the feowship and organisations and deveoping an action pan i ii iii iv v Identification of an individua or group of peope to take this forward Understanding how to isten and recognise when hep and support are needed and how to access speciaist hep Introduction of appropriate information and eafets Identification of training needs and how these might best be met, with broader training using organisations outside the church speciaising in this fied, and a process for ongoing training A way of ensuring that peope are aware of the poicy and that principes are being met 3 Confirming when this poicy was agreed, and when it wi be reviewed (eg. annuay) Date: Signed by: Date of next review: Church Roe: 24 Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse Second edition August 2010

25 Further Resources 16 Bibe study booket What is this pace Six studies foowing the journey which a women experiencing vioence may make, from recognition of her situation to making a new beginning. Price: 2.00 pus postage and packing. Avaiabe from: Churches Together in Engand, 27 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HH Te: Fax: Foowing Jesus in a Vioent Word - Breaking the sience about domestic vioence Pack raising issues for oca churches. Incudes materia for ministers, for those iving with domestic abuse, and a charter for a oca church. Price Avaiabe from: Baptist Union of GB, Baptist House, PO Box 44, 129 Broadway, Didcot, Oxon OX11 8RT. Te: Home Truths Five young peope te of their experiences of domestic vioence in this short animated DVD. The DVD is suitabe for a wide audience, but is particuary designed for use with 8-13 year ods in a youth group or schoo setting. (Pubished: 2000) Price: 10 to hire, 40 to purchase. Avaiabe from: Leeds Animation Workshop, 45 Bayswater Row, Leeds LS8 5LF Te/Fax: Emai: info@eedsanimation.org.uk Women and Vioence Resource Pack produced by the Women s Network of the Methodist Church. (Pubished: 2000) Price 5. Avaiabe from: Women s Network Office, Methodist Church House, 25 Maryebone Road, London NW1 5JR Te: Fax: Emai: womens.network@methodistchurch.org.uk Hitting Home: Domestic vioence and young women YWCA Briefing giving information and hepfu resource ist, incuding detais of research papers. Price 4. Avaiabe from: YWCA, Carendon House, 52 Cornmarket Street, Oxford OX1 3EJ. Te: Emai: campaigns@ywca-gb.org.uk Breaking the Chains of the past, of the sience, of the churches teaching.. on vioence against women. A booket of theoogica refections and suggestions for discussion and action. Price 3.50, incuding postage For information, contact: CTBI, 39 Ecceston Square, London, SW1V 1BX. Te: Fax: Emai: chife@ctbi.org.uk Second edition August 2010 Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse 25

26 16 Further Resources Understanding Domestic Abuse nine-minute video and workbook. Usefu for opening the subject and raising discussion. Avaiabe from: Oadby and Wigston Domestic Vioence Forum, c/o Heping Hands Advice Centre, 11b Leicester Road, Oadby, Leicestershire LD2 58D Website Contains much hepfu information, and usefu inks to other sites Ecumenica organisations Action of Churches Together in Scotand / Network of Ecumenica Women in Scotand Network of Ecumenica Women in Scotand, Ingewood House, Aoa, Cackmannanshire, Scotand FK10 2HU Te: Churches Together in Engand 27 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HH. Te: Emai: women@cte.org.uk CYTÛN (Churches Together in Waes) 58 Richmond Road, Cardiff CF24 3UR Te: Emai: post@cytun.org.uk 26 Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse Second edition August 2010

27 Notes Second edition August 2010 Practice Guideines Domestic Abuse 27

28 Design and production: Methodist Pubishing, on behaf of the Methodist Church in Britain, Registered Charity no Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes 2010 Methodist Pubishing, 17 Tresham Road, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6SG Te: Emai: Web: