Ask and ActGroup 2 Training
Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse
and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015
Housekeeping
breaks toilets mobile
phones
taking care of yourself
and each other
microphone mute
Ground rules...
confidentiality respect do you need
support?
agreement anything else?
Introductions
•Name
• Job title
•One thing you’d like to
learn today
What are these sessions about? (1)(sent out in email in advance of the training)
• How to recognise the signs and symptoms of violence
against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence;
• Understand the purpose of and demonstrate an ability to
undertake targeted enquiry.
What are these sessions about? (2) (sent out in email in advance of the training)
• Demonstrate knowledge around data protection and the
duty of confidentiality;
• Understand the purpose of risk identification in relation to
some forms of violence against women, domestic abuse and
sexual violence;
• Be able to implement the targeted enquiry care
pathway.
The language we use
Victim / survivor
Perpetrator / offender / abuser
Client / service user
"Ask“ and “Act”
People with a disability / the disabled
Domestic abuse
Sexual violence
Gender Based Violence & Violence Against Women
VAWDASV
FGM, FM, & HBV
Benefits of “Ask and Act” (1)
Increased identification of those experiencing
violence against women, domestic abuse and
sexual violence by using targeted enquiry.
Increased referrals to specialist services for those
identified;
Benefits of “Ask and Act” (2)
An improved culture across the Welsh Public Service where identification of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence is an accepted area of business and where disclosure is supported, accepted and facilitated.
Earlier identification ensures support services are available at the earliest opportunity, rather than just at the point of crisis!
Victims want to be asked
Child protection
Early intervention can
reduce impacts –
including death
Signals service as
somewhere that help can
be gained
Good clinical practice
Silence is not neutral
Helps to reduce stigma
and isolation
Targeted enquiry – why?
Prevalence of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence
Coercive Control
•Underpins violence and abuse.
•Most victims of abuse experience coercive control rather than isolated physical assaults alone.
• Victims often state that the coercive control is far more devastating than physical assaults.
• Instils fear, dependence, compliance and shame.
What might be some of the barriers for professionals
to make a targeted enquiry about one of the following:
- Sexual violence
- Female genital mutilation
- Forced marriage
- Domestic abuse
What might be some of the barriers for service users/survivors to make a
disclosure about VAWDASV?
In your groups respond to two questions:
Group activity
Survivors said they want
To be treated
with dignity and
respect
To be given help to get
themselves and their
children safe
For professionals to know
that abuse is universal; is
more than physical
assaults; is about power
and control and affects
the whole family and how
hard it is to disclose.
To be believed
How might you encourage disclosure?
Think about:
▪ Indicators;
▪The environment/creating a
supportive environment;
▪What the client may be feeling;
▪What barriers the worker may
create.
Build rapport
• Use the person’s name where possible
• Be polite and sympathetic
• Use active listening
• Agree with them to encourage talking
• Do not tell them what to do
• Let them know they are doing the right thing by telling you
• Let them know you are taking them seriously
• Do not act shocked or appear as if you do not believe them
Key Indicators
Of abuse or associated
impacts (such as anxiety or
depression).
Symptoms
The presence of some other
information which suggests the
experience of abuse.
Cues
Where asking all clients is
considered good
practices.
Settings
Indicators
Signs
The potential outward &
physical signs someone is
experiencing VAWDASV.
Socio Cultural Signs (1)
• Partner exerting unusual amount of control or demands
over interactions with service
• Reliance on partner for decision making
• Worried about leaving children at home with partner or
family
• Partner or ex-partner exerting unusual amount of
control or demands over clients schedule
Socio Cultural Signs (2)
• Changes in attitude or behaviour
• Constant accompaniment by partner
• Obsession with timekeeping
• Secretive regarding home life
• Social isolation
Physical Signs
• Unexplained injuries
• Change in the pattern or amount of make-up used
• Change in the manner of dress: for example,
clothes which do not suit the climate which may
be used to hide injuries
• Substance use / misuse
• Fatigue / sleep disorders
Key indicators Social Services (1)
• Cancelled or frequently not attending appointments
• Never allowed alone, partner or family member present
• Traumatic injury, particularly if repeated with vague or
implausible explanations
• Depression, anxiety, sleep issues
• Suicidal tendencies or self-harming
• Alcohol or other substance misuse
• Chronic pain (unexplained)
Key indicators Social Services (2)
• Children known to Social Services
• Not being able to meet anywhere public
• Reluctance to speak of personal matters
• Always seeming afraid or nervous
• Physical injuries
• Not wanting to meet at house
Key indicators Education – Pupils (1)
• Visible Bruising or Injury
• Vaginal bleeding or sexually transmitted infections;
• Change in behaviour
• Disengagement from school
• Tiredness
Key indicators Education – Pupils (2)
• Underachievement
• Overachievement/Perfectionism
• Absence/long holidays
• Not wanting to leave school
• Information from other services
Key indicators Education – Adults (Parents / Staff) (3)
• Visible Bruising or Injury
• Change in behaviour
• Disengagement from school / work
• Tiredness
• Absence/long holidays
• Working Late / unable to stay late
• Information from other
colleagues/parents
Key indicators Housing
• Rent Arrears
• Financial difficulties
• Damage to property
• Anti social behaviour call outs
• Requests for changes to tenancy agreements
• Requests to move/exchange property
• Isolation
Key Indicators: sexual violence
Indicators:
sexual
violence
Substance abuse /
dependency
Mental illness such as
Borderline Personality
Disorder
PTSD / flashbacks
Rape Trauma Syndrome
Eating disorder
Depression
Panic disorder / anxiety
Self-harm
Sexual Violence & Mental Health (1)
Anxiety 22.5%
Depression 21.2%
Difficulty Sleeping 17.3%
Flashbacks 11.8%
Self-Harm 11.1%
Attempted Suicide 9.5%
Panic Attacks 6.5%
Cues
A piece of information or pattern of behaviour which
merits enquiry.
To “Ask and Act” is not to interrogate, but where a cue is
observed or received, a professional should make
appropriate enquiry.
Settings
• Mental health
• Maternal and post partum settings
• Settings dealing with concerns about child abuse or
neglect
• Sexual health services
• Workplace
Video Clip
• How to ask and respond...
Questions that work
Think about
questions you
might ask in your
setting,
… and now think of
a follow-up
question.
How...
We know that…
Has your partner…
I can see…
Do you ever…
Has anyone…
Responding to disclosures
• ‘Thank you for telling me…’
• ‘I believe you…’
• ‘What you have described is not uncommon…’
• ‘You are not to blame for the violence / abuse / what happened
to you…’
• ‘Your safety and wellbeing is my priority…’
• ‘You have the right to be safe and get support…’
• ‘You have the right to feel the way you do and to talk about it…’
• ‘You are the expert on what you need…’
• ‘There is help available…’
Do not behave like the abuser
Judge
Deny
Disbelieve
Tell them what to do
BelittleAct without client knowledge
(and preferably, do not act
without consent)
Risk factors for violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence
•What do we mean by risk?
•Why is it important to identify risk?
•What are some of the most significant risk factors
associated with cases of serious harm or death in
relation to domestic abuse?
Additional resources available:
• Refer to an IDVA/ISVA/IPA (add local details);
• Refer to Welsh Women’s Aid / local specialists (handout with local
information);
• Refer to your group 3 champion;
• Refer to your Safeguarding Lead;
• Ensure they have the national helpline (give out cards/pamphlets).
• Key issues for survivors + safety, housing, money & children – you
might need to link into other agencies (refer to handout). Not
expecting you to be experts…. Group 3.
Unless your organisation requires it - YOU ARE NOT EXPECTED TO complete the RISK
identification form – ASK FOR SUPPORT AND ADVICE
Gathering & Sharing Information Legislation
• Data Protection Act (2018) - Prevention and detection of a crime and/or the apprehension or prosecution of offenders & General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• Human Rights Act (1998) – e.g. Right to life, right to be free from torture or inhuman or degrading treatment – Articles 2 & 3
• Children’s Act (1989) - disclosure to CYPS or the Police for the exercise of functions under the Children Act – Schedules 2 & 3, DPA
• Crime & Disorder Act (1998) – prevention and detection of crime
• Common Law Duty to act.
National Helpline
(professionals can also call the helpline for advice)
AVAILABLE TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY, SEVEN
DAYS A WEEK – FREE OF CHARGE.
Local Referral Pathway
Skills Practice
Your trainers will create a scenario where one is a service user, and the other
is a service provider.
Your role is to help the service provider to Ask & Act effectively.
Follow the trainers prompts, and using the knowledge and skills developed
today, help them to create a safe and conducive environment for the service
user to disclose.
Skills PracticeYou will all be working as a group of 3.
You will receive the information about an individual.
You’ll have 5 minutes to consider 3 key questions to ask.
You will then have the opportunity to ask your questions to the facilitator.
Dependant on your questions you may be able to complete the pathway.
Consider carefully what you need to know.
Consider how to engage with the person as highlighted earlier in todays
session.
Fill in the form/check the pathway….
Be aware of multiple needs, but also multiple disadvantage;
Consider the appropriateness of the risk assessment tool you are using;
If you need more information, for example, about forced marriage or
working with LGBT community then ask your Group 3 champion or contact
specialist services for more advice;
Use your referral pathway, ensure your decisions are documented and
information stored in line with your policy.
What to remember from the skillspractice:
Key messages:ASK consistently and ACT confidently;
Get as much information as you can about what services
and support are available;
Seek help and support from colleagues, your group 3 champion,
Safeguarding Leads, VAWDASV Leads, workplace champions, specialist sector
– there is a lot of support;
Leaving can be a very dangerous time for a victim and escalates their risk –
SEEK EXPERT ADVICE to ensure a client is supported through this process.
Ask & Act Group 2End of the full day version of
Ask & Act (group 2 professionals)
Diolch yn fawr - Thank you