Domestic Abuse - Safeguarding
What is Domestic Abuse?
The definition of domestic violence and abuse is 'any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.
The information provided below will help you spot the signs of domestic abuse and provide useful tools to support you in your work.
Domestic Abuse Procedure and Practice Guidance - Safeguarding Children and Adults with Care and Support Needs [PDF document]
Children and Adults with Care and Support Needs - Domestic Abuse - Co Durham and Darlington Multi-Agency Domestic Violence and Abuse Procedural Flow Chart [PDF document]
Adolescents - Domestic Abuse-Darlington Multi-Agency Child/Adolescent to Parent/Carer Violence and Abuse (CAPVA) Procedural Flow Chart-Child Adult and Family [PDF document]
A good practice guide: Improving service provision for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller domestic abuse survivors (Feb 2022) [PDF Document]
MARAC/DASH Risk Assessment Tool 2021
Stalking and Harassment Risk Assessment Tool 2021
Additional advice and guidance and information is available on
Darlington Borough Council website
Additional information and guidance is available including a domestic and sexual abuse directory and details of how to access the Sanctuary Scheme.
What is Clare's Law?
The Domestic Abuse Offender Disclosure Scheme (DAODS) known as Clare's Law was introduced in 2014 and is named after Clare Wood who was murdered by her ex-partner who had a history of violence towards women. Clare would not have been in a relationship with her killer if she had known about his abusive past with previous partners. The scheme allows information to be shared with an individual regarding the criminal history of their partner in relation to domestic abuse and any other information deemed proportionate and necessary to enable the individual to keep themselves safe and to prevent further crime.
Further details are available, see Durham Constabulary: Clares Law [external link]
Operation Encompass (children)
Darlington Borough Council is working with police and schools to improve the support for children affected by domestic abuse. Young people who see or hear arguments and violence at home often arrive for classes the next day upset and unprepared. Darlington Borough Council and the police are set to work more closely to better share information so teachers can provide the help their pupils may need. Further information and sample templates on the initiative can be found below:
Protocol [PDF document]
Poster [PDF document]
School sign up form [Word document]
Further information is available on the Operation Encompass Website [external link]
Hourglass - Safer Ageing- stopping abuse
One in six older people are victims of abuse. The hourglass mission is simple: end the harm, abuse and exploitation of older people in the UK. Hourglass provide a helpline for older men, women and their families suffering form abuse whether it is physical, psychological, financial, sexual or neglect.
Helpline telephone number: 0808 808 8141
website: wearehourglass.org
On Track: The Women's aid outcome measurement system
On Track is a comprehensive case management and outcomes monitoring programme created by Women's Aid for specialist support services including refuge providers which will provide vital insight into the domestic abuse sector and evidence of the value and impact of their services. Further information is available by clicking on the link below.
Understanding domestic abuse: findings from On Track [external link]
Domestic Violence and your workplace
A leaflet is available to support employers on raising awareness of domestic abuse within the workplace and how you can provide the best support for any of your employees suffering domestic violence.
Domestic Violence and Your workplace leaflet [PDF document]
Links between animal abuse, child abuse and domestic abuse
There is a growing research base in the UK to suggest that if a child is cruel to animals this may be an indicator that serious neglect and abuse has been inflicted on the child. Whilst research in the UK suggests that animal abuse by children is quite widespread, in a minority of more extreme cases it appears to be associated with abuse of the child or subsequent abusive behaviour by the child. For more information see www.nspcc.org.uk
Ask for ANI
The Government has launched a new initiative, Ask for ANI (Action Needed Immediately), which is a codeword scheme to enable victims of domestic abuse to access immediate help from the police or other support services, from the safety of their local pharmacy. The codeword will alert members of staff that a victim is seeking immediate, urgent help.
The pharmacy environment lends itself well to this scheme, as most pharmacies will have consultation rooms available and staff will have undergone safeguarding training. Boots stores are taking part and other participating local pharmacies will display posters to show they are also available to help. Staff can offer a safe space at the branch and a phone to call for help or information on what support is out there. Find out more here [external link].
Ask for ANI - visit Employers Initiative on Domestic Abuse website [external link]