Agenda item

Response to Domestic Abuse during the pandemic

Minutes:

Councillor Jarvis who had declared an interest in this item left the meeting at this point and did not take part in the subsequent discussion and vote.

 

The Cabinet Member for Waste, Roads and Community Safety and the Assistant Director, Community Safety and Street Scene attend the meeting to present a report that provided an update in relation to the response by Domestic Abuse services to the current Covid-19 pandemic. The report also provided information in relation to the planning activity that was being carried out that would ensure services would be able to cope with potential increases in demand, or an extended period of operating in a different way, as a result of the pandemic.

 

The Cabinet Member advised that the report provided the most up to date information that was available with regard to the Council’s response to Domestic Abuse during the pandemic and noted that maintaining the delivery of services to support victims of Domestic Abuse was a priority for the Council and the Safer Rotherham Partnership.

 

The Cabinet Member advised that Domestic Abuse services had been maintained throughout the pandemic, but that in common with other the services the way in which services were provided had changed due to the restrictions imposed during the pandemic.

 

The report stated that the Domestic Abuse Priority Group, that reported to the Safer Rotherham Partnership had continued to meet during the pandemic and had increased the frequency of its meetings to ensure continued delivery and management of risk. It was noted that the partnership had also continued to monitor Domestic Abuse in relation to demand for Police services as well as for support services.

 

The Cabinet Member advised while there had been a slight increase of reports of Domestic Abuse incidents during that pandemic that it was a little too early to see whether there had been any significant changes or whether any significant trends in demand could be identified. The Cabinet Member noted that while reports of incidents had not increased significantly there had been a high number of charges issued and arrests made of alleged perpetrators. The officer’s report provided information on the number of incidents of Domestic Abuse and for demand for services through the pandemic.

 

The Cabinet Member provided information on an extra £98,000 of funding that the Council had supported Rotherham Rise to secure that would assist with the increased demand for emergency accommodation during the pandemic. It was also noted that the Safer Rotherham Partnership had provided an additional £12,000 of funding to expand the online and telephone contact offer and to ensure provision was delivered outside of normal office hours and that extra funding of £474,000 being allocated to the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner to support the delivery of Domestic Abuse support services during the pandemic.

 

The Cabinet Member advised that the issue of Domestic Abuse, while always a concern was particularly concerning during the pandemic  as when people had been restricted from normal movements, offices that offered support services had been closed and contact with families or friends had been limited. This may mean that it was less likely that victims would report incidents and seek help. It was noted in the report that while reports of Domestic Abuse were currently at normal levels there was concern that the pandemic and the restrictions imposed could have both reduced the reporting of incidents as well as creating additional pressures in the home, and that when current restrictions were lifted there could be a surge in demand for services. In the light of this risk it was noted that the Safer Rotherham Partnership had been working on developing partnership planning around increase demand for services.

 

Members asked if there was any lobbying activity taking place through the Local Government Association on obtaining extra funding for Domestic Abuse services. The Cabinet Member advised that activity regarding obtaining extra funding was taking place. The Cabinet Member noted that while extra funding was always welcome, and that Rotherham was very successful in obtaining this funding,  it is was frustrating that funding for such a key service had to be obtained in such a piecemeal way that created large amount of uncertainty for those involved in delivering services.

 

Members asked how Operation Encompass that enabled schools to connect with the Police to support children and young people who had been subject to or had witnessed Domestic Abuse incidents had been functioning during the pandemic. The Assistant Director advised that as schools had been open through the pandemic that this service had continued.

 

Members noted that accessing online support may sometimes be difficult for victims of Domestic Abuse and asked for further information about alternative ways that support could be accessed. The Cabinet Member advised that phone support was available, and that work had been carried out to establish alternative physical settings for victims to access support in a safe space. Members asked in regard to incidents and referrals to support services whether there had been an increase in male victims during the pandemic. The Assistant Director advised that he would arrange for this information to be circulated to members of the committee.

 

Members welcomed the high levels of arrests and charges made during the pandemic and asked whether the Police had been proactively encouraging victims to come forward. The Cabinet Member advised that they had not been, but that the issue increasing awareness of services would be raised again with the Police.

 

The Chair and members thanked the Cabinet Member for Waste, Roads and Community Safety and the Assistant Director, Community Safety and Street Scene for attending the meeting and answering their questions.

 

Resolved: -

 

1)    That the report be noted.

 

2)    That up to date figures on Domestic Abuse Incidents, Domestic Abuse Response (referrals) and Domestic Abuse Commissioned Service Caseloads be circulated to the members of the Improving Lives Select Commission in four weeks’ time.

 

3)    That information on the number of Domestic Abuse incidents and referrals for support services relating to male victims of Domestic Abuse during the pandemic. be circulated to members of the Improving Lives Select Commission.

Supporting documents: