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Profiling domestic abuse across Dyfed Powys: Some emerging themes. Sarah Wydall Alan Clarke Aberystwyth University. Dyfed Powys LCJB Conference on Crime, Disorder and Anti-Social Behaviour.
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Profiling domestic abuse across Dyfed Powys: Some emerging themes Sarah Wydall Alan Clarke Aberystwyth University
Dyfed Powys LCJB Conference on Crime, Disorder and Anti-Social Behaviour Multi-agency round table discussions on improving DV policy and practice : (Police, Crown Prosecution Service, Chief Crown Prosecutor, Court Representatives, Probation and Community Safety Managers) • Option One: Each region examine one aspect of victims’ progress through the CJS e.g. from disclosure to arrest. • Option Two: A gap analysis of progression though the CJS across the four regions highlighting good practice.
Key Research Objectives: • A gap analysis of progression though the CJS across the four regions highlighting good practice. • An analysis of the Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel ‘failed cases’ involving domestic violence
Research Design • In-depth semi-structured interviews • Multi-agency focus groups in each of the four regions • Documentary analysis of the Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel’s minutes and additional notes • Analysis of secondary data on attrition rates from incident to post sentence
Emerging themes Inconsistencies in: • ‘Golden Hour’ evidence gathering at the scene • Safe-guarding victims using a risk-based approach
The Golden Hour • The police role is crucial in evidence gathering at the scene • The use of photographic evidence is limited and of insufficient quality to be used in court Hester and Westmarland (2005)
Safeguarding Victims using a risk-based approach • Risk – recognition by practitioners that ‘risk’ is a social construct • Access to resources • Different agencies using different risk assessment tools (CAADA/APCO) Implications for Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) and Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs)
Possible recommendations and further fieldwork • More co-ordinated multi-dimensional response • Consistency in use of risk assessment tools Fieldwork to explore: • How agencies perceive and respond to the needs of the victim e.g. CJS as a resource • The relationship between ‘choice’ and access to support via risk assessment scores. • Whether ‘real’ choice exists or is the idea of ‘choice’ just a new rhetoric that has been embraced by CJS