Domestic Abuse Incidents

The request was successful.

Dear Avon and Somerset Constabulary,

Further to the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I would be most grateful if you could provide the following information regarding incidents of domestic abuse:

- The number of domestic abuse related incidents logged on the Force’s Crime Reporting Information System for each of the years from 2010 to present, broken down by month, if available.

The People Proceeded Against data relating to the aforementioned incidents, broken down by gender, if available.

Details of any organisation or service commissioned to provide victims’ services in the Force’s area

With best wishes,

E Martin

#Freedom of Information Requests, Avon and Somerset Constabulary

 

 

Corporate Information Management Department

Force Headquarters, PO Box 37, Valley Road,

Portishead, Bristol, BS20 8QJ

Facsimile 01275 814667

    

E Martin Our Reference 1546/15

[FOI #300875 email]
Date 6 November 2015
 

 

Dear Sir/ Madam

 

I write in connection with your request for information dated 5^th
November 2015 concerning incidents of domestic abuse. This request will be
dealt with under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

 

Your request will now be considered and you will receive a response within
the statutory timescale of 20 working days as defined by the Act. In some
circumstances Avon and Somerset Constabulary may be unable to achieve this
deadline if consideration needs to be given to the public interest test.
If this is likely you will be informed and given a revised time-scale at
the earliest opportunity.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Rebecca Pritchard

Freedom of Information Officer

Corporate Information Management Department

 

Please note;

1.     Requests and responses may be published on Avon and Somerset
Constabulary’s website (within 24 hours), some of which may contain a link
to additional information, which may provide you with further
clarification.

2.     Whilst we may verbally discuss your request with you in order to
seek clarification, all other communication should be made in writing.

3.     Avon and Somerset Constabulary provides you with the right to
request a re-examination of your case under its review procedure.

 

 

 

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#Freedom of Information Requests, Avon and Somerset Constabulary

5 Attachments

Corporate Information Management

PO Box 37, Valley Road, Portishead, Bristol BS20 8QJ

Telephone:  101   Facsimile: 01275 814667

Email: [email address]

Office Hours: 8am – 6pm

 

[1]E Martin [FOI #300875 email]   

Our Ref: 1546/15

 

                                     Date: 03 December 2015

 

 

Dear E Martin

 

I write in response to your request for information dated 5^th November
2015 under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Specifically you asked:

 

Further to the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I would be most grateful
if you could provide the following information regarding incidents of
domestic abuse:

 

Q1. The number of domestic abuse related incidents logged on the Force’s
Crime Reporting Information System for each of the years from 2010 to
present, broken down by month, if available.

 

Q2. The People Proceeded Against data relating to the aforementioned
incidents, broken down by gender, if available.

 

Q3. Details of any organisation or service commissioned to provide
victims’ services in the Force’s area

 

1. Please find number of recorded incidents with a domestic abuse flag
broken down by month in the attached file. This information runs up to
9/11/15.

 

The increase in recorded cases, noticeable from 2013 to 2014, can be
attributed to two reasons. Firstly, the Constabulary continues to advocate
and promote the reporting of Domestic Abuse, encouraging victims to come
forward wherever possible, providing the best support we can through our
innovative Lighthouse approach, supporting victims through the criminal
justice process, garnering their trust and confidence. Secondly, we are
maintaining a heightened rigour in our recording processes, to ensure that
historic abuse is recorded separately, which has contributed to some of
the increase. We wish to ensure that every instance of abuse, be it
current or historic, is treated with the gravity it deserves and
investigated fully.

 

Q2.  We have taken "proceeded against" to mean arrests. Please see the
total number of arrests for crimes recorded with a domestic abuse flag in
the attached file.

 

Q3. There are a number of commissioned services available across Avon and
Somerset covering substance misuse, mental health, victim support,
advocacy, specialist domestic and sexual abuse services and hate crime.
Full details of [2]victim commissioning can be found on the PCC website
and also local authority websites (councils). The PCC and councils are the
two main commissioners of services. I have provided a link to the Victim
Commissioning Information on the PCC’s website for reference.

 

Lighthouse Victim and Witness Care provide a support service to victims
during the investigation stage in accordance with Victims Code of Practice
guidelines. The service has a focus on enabling such victims to access
support services tailored to their needs if they wish to do so and in
order to support recovery from crime. For victims who do not wish to
report an offence but require support we have created the [3]Lighthouse
Victim and Witness Care site which details support services available
across Avon and Somerset. I have provided a link for reference.

 

When an individual is identified as being entitled to an enhanced service
we make contact with them to undertake a needs assessment which looks to
identify any additional vulnerabilities, existing support provision and
potential referral options.

 

Lighthouse also supports victims and witnesses through the criminal
justice process after a charge has been made by:

 

·         Explaining the processes and types of trials

·         Arranging special measures where required such as evidence via
video link or screens

·         Assisting victims in completing victim personal statements for
court

·         Making referrals to witness service for support prior to and on
the day of trial

·         Informing witness for court and updating victims in relation to
court outcomes and new hearing dates

·         Providing access to restorative justice for victims at all
stages of the criminal justice process and post sentence

 

Our [4]website also has information and advice for victims of domestic
abuse. I have provided a link for reference.

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

Rebecca Pritchard

Freedom of Information Officer

Corporate Information Management Department

 

Please note:

 

1.    Requests and responses may be published on Avon and Somerset
Constabulary’s website (within 24 hours), some of which may contain a link
to additional information, which may provide you with further
clarification.

2.    Whilst we may verbally discuss your request with you in order to
seek clarification, all other communication should be made in writing.

3.    Avon and Somerset Constabulary provides you with the right to
request a re-examination of your case under its review procedure (copy
attached).

 

 

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