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Peabody trains frontline staff to spot domestic abuse (27 November 2013)

Date: 27/11/2013
Duncan Lewis, Family Solicitors, Peabody trains frontline staff to spot domestic abuse

The Peabody Trust has introduced training for its staff to help them recognise instances of domestic violence and abuse in Peabody housing.

Writing in The Guardian, Peabody’s community safety team leader Guddy Burnet said that domestic abuse training was introduced for all frontline staff at the trust in response to calls by the Home Office earlier this year for an integrated approach to identifying and helping victims of domestic abuse.

The Home Office said that agencies involved in justice, education, health, housing and benefits should work together to “identify, protect and support victims” – and bring the perpetrators of domestic violence and abuse to justice.

Earlier this year domestic violence protection was extended to victims from the age of 16 for the first time.

Guddy Burnet says that domestic abuse can take many forms, including psychological, physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

Figures show that on average a woman endures domestic abuse more than 30 times before seeking help – even if the abuse is physical and violent.

Statistics also show that one-quarter of women experience domestic abuse at least once in their lifetime – and as many as two women every week are killed either by their current partner or a former partner.

Peabody is acting to tackle domestic abuse in its own housing association properties by developing a more efficient case management system, as well as strengthening its links with local authorities.

The community safety team now has two qualified independent domestic abuse advisers on board
Guddy Burnet says:
“Where previously we recorded and took action against one instance of reported domestic violence per quarter, we are now taking action against 18 reports.

“Our satisfaction scores for domestic abuse handling are now 15% higher than average.”

The Peabody Trust was founded in 1862 – it operates as a housing association and has more than 19,000 properties.

Guddy Burnet says that accessing tenants’ homes for maintenance purposes and routine checks has helped the community safety team at Peabody use intelligence from frontline staff about potential victims of domestic abuse.

“Having access to people's homes for maintenance purposes, and regular contact with residents through our community development activities enables trained housing professionals to identify signs of domestic abuse that would otherwise be hidden.

“As a result, staff are trusted and accessible – and are seen to be easier to approach than the police or other statutory agencies.”

The Mayor of London’s office, local authorities in London and outside the capital – as well as the Housing Minister for the Welsh Assembly – have now asked for Peabody’s input “to strengthen domestic abuse interventions”.

Vital work needed to recognise and tackle domestic abuse in Britain has this week been highlighted by the plight of three women allegedly held against their will as “slaves” for more than 30 years by a couple in a terraced house in south London.

Local residents have reported seeing one of the women holding up handwritten notes at a window in the house. One of the women phoned a domestic abuse helpline after seeing a TV interview on television.

A couple at the house arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment and alleged immigration offences have been bailed until January.

Legal help with domestic violence and abuse

For many victims of domestic abuse, the thought of leaving their home and the consequences of seeking help can sometimes seem more frightening than remaining in an abusive situation.

However, victims of domestic violence need expert help and support, either from the police or a trained counsellor.

Taking legal advice before making a report of domestic violence can also help victims come to terms with the action they must take to protect themselves –
and their children – against further domestic abuse.

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of family and childcare law solicitors – and its family law team consists of experienced domestic violence solicitors.

Duncan Law is also a leading Legal Aid firm.

Contact Duncan Lewis solicitors for expert advice on family and childcare law on 020 7923 4020.


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