Domestic Violence

The request was successful.

Dear Metropolitan Police Service (MPS),

Please supply me, under the Freedom of Information Act, the following:

1. Number of incidences of domestic violence calls that officers have attended for the period 2013-2014. Please specify the numbers of female victims and male victims separately.

2. Of the aforementioned, please supply the outcomes,such as prosecutions and charges, for females and males separately. Also supply a list of number of arrests for females and male victims, separately

3. Please supply a copy of your policies towards domestic violence when the female is the perpetrator and same again when the male is.

4. Please also supply a list of supporting tools you have for both genders that you put into place. Please list each gender separately.

Yours faithfully,

Dave Darby

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)

Dear Mr. Darby

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2015050001401

I write in connection with your request for information which was received
by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 21/05/2015.  I note you seek
access to the following information:

"Please supply me, under the Freedom of Information Act, the following:

1. Number of incidences of domestic violence calls that officers have
attended for the period 2013-2014. Please specify the numbers of female
victims and male victims separately.

2. Of the aforementioned, please supply the outcomes,such as prosecutions
and charges, for females and males separately. Also supply a list of
number of arrests for females and male victims, separately

3. Please supply a copy of your policies towards domestic violence when
the female is the perpetrator and same again when the male is.

4. Please also supply a list of supporting tools you have for both genders
that you put into place. Please list each gender separately."

Your request will now be allocated to the relevant unit within the MPS and
will be processed in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000
(the Act).  

You will receive your response directly from the relevant unit within the
statutory timescale of 20 working days as defined by the Act.  

In some circumstances the MPS may be unable to achieve this deadline.  If
this is likely you will be informed and given a revised time-scale at the
earliest opportunity.

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet, which details your right of
complaint.

If you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please contact
us at [email address] or on the phone at 0207 161 3500, quoting the
reference number above.  Should your enquiry relate to the logging or
allocations process we will be able to assist you directly and where your
enquiry relates to other matters (such as the status of the request) we
will be able to pass on a message and/or advise you of the relevant
contact details.

Yours sincerely

R. Loizou
Support Officer - Freedom of Information Triage Team

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the
decision is incorrect?

You have the right to require the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to
review their decision.

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome to discuss the
response with the case officer who dealt with your request.  

Complaint

If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of
the MPS made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information you can lodge a complaint with the MPS to have the
decision reviewed.

Complaints should be made in writing, within forty (40) working days from
the date of the refusal notice, and addressed to:

FOI Complaint
Public Access Office
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF
[email address]

In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 20 working days.

The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with the MPS if you are still dissatisfied with
the decision you may make application to the Information Commissioner for
a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with in
accordance with the requirements of the Act.

For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner
please visit their website at www.ico.org.uk.  Alternatively, phone or
write to:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone:  01625 545 745

Total Policing is the Met's commitment to be on the streets and in your
communities to catch offenders, prevent crime and support victims. We are
here for London, working with you to make our capital safer.

 

Consider our environment - please do not print this email unless
absolutely necessary.

NOTICE - This email and any attachments may be confidential, subject to
copyright and/or legal privilege and are intended solely for the use of
the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, please
notify the sender and delete it from your system.  To avoid incurring
legal liabilities, you must not distribute or copy the information in this
email without the permission of the sender. MPS communication systems are
monitored to the extent permitted by law.  Consequently, any email and/or
attachments may be read by monitoring staff. Only specified personnel are
authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of the MPS by
email. The MPS accepts no responsibility for unauthorised agreements
reached with other employees or agents.  The security of this email and
any attachments cannot be guaranteed. Email messages are routinely scanned
but malicious software infection and corruption of content can still occur
during transmission over the Internet. Any views or opinions expressed in
this communication are solely those of the author and do not necessarily
represent those of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).

 

Find us at:

Facebook: Facebook.com/metpoliceuk
Twitter: @metpoliceuk

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)

Dear Mr Darby

Freedom of Information Act Request Reference No: 2015050001401

I write in connection with your request for information which was received
by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 21/05/2015. I note you seek
access to the following information:

"1. Number of incidences of domestic violence calls that officers have
attended for the period 2013-2014. Please specify the numbers of female
victims and male victims separately.
2. Of the aforementioned, please supply the outcomes, such as prosecutions
and charges, for females and males separately. Also supply a list of
number of arrests for females and male victims, separately .
3. Please supply a copy of your policies towards domestic violence when
the female is the perpetrator and same again when the male is.
4. Please also supply a list of supporting tools you have for both genders
that you put into place. Please list each gender separately. "

This is to inform you that I cannot identify any specific records /
documents that will satisfy your request based on the details you have
provided. To enable the MPS to meet your request could you please provide
this office with further information. I provide some guidance that may
assist you more clearly describe the information you require:

Question 1

Please can you clarify whether you are referring to CAD incidents where
police attended, if so, we only have the following search criteria:
‘Opening Code 304 – Domestic Incidents’. However, we have no way of
telling what gender the caller was. As an alternative, we can offer a
count of Domestic Abuse offences from the Crime Recording and Information
System (CRIS) where we are able to extract gender data. This data may also
be more helpful because a CRIS report is created for every Domestic Abuse
incident.

Question 2

We can offer People Proceeded Against (PPA) data (this is a count of
police action against offenders e.g. charge, caution, PND etc.), for
domestic abuse by gender and outcome, and we would be able to provide
details of those people arrested broken down by gender also.

Question 4

Please can you clarify what you mean by 'supporting tools'. Please note
that we support male and female victims in the same way and under the same
policy. There is no separate policy in place for different genders.

After receiving your reply, your request will then be considered and you
will receive the information requested within the statutory timescale of
20 working days, subject to the information not being exempt or containing
a reference to a third party.

However, if the requested additional information has not been received by
22nd July 2015 I will assume you no longer wish to proceed with this
request and will treat it as withdrawn.

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologise for the
unforseen delays in responding to your FOI request.

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet which details your right of
complaint.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write
or contact me on telephone number 0207 161 4291 quoting the reference
number above.

Yours sincerely,

Deborah Solomon
FOI Manager
Metropolitan Police Service
COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the
decision is incorrect?

You have the right to require the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to
review their decision.

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome to discuss the
response with the case officer who dealt with your request.  

Complaint

If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of
the MPS made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information you can lodge a complaint with the MPS to have the
decision reviewed.

Complaints should be made in writing, within forty (40) working days from
the date of the refusal notice, and addressed to:

FOI Complaint
Public Access Office
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF
[email address]

In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 20 working days.
The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with the MPS if you are still dissatisfied with
the decision you may make application to the Information Commissioner for
a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with in
accordance with the requirements of the Act.

For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner
please visit their website at www.ico.org.uk.  Alternatively, phone or
write to:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone:  01625 545 745

Total Policing is the Met's commitment to be on the streets and in your
communities to catch offenders, prevent crime and support victims. We are
here for London, working with you to make our capital safer.

 

Consider our environment - please do not print this email unless
absolutely necessary.

NOTICE - This email and any attachments may be confidential, subject to
copyright and/or legal privilege and are intended solely for the use of
the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, please
notify the sender and delete it from your system.  To avoid incurring
legal liabilities, you must not distribute or copy the information in this
email without the permission of the sender. MPS communication systems are
monitored to the extent permitted by law.  Consequently, any email and/or
attachments may be read by monitoring staff. Only specified personnel are
authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of the MPS by
email. The MPS accepts no responsibility for unauthorised agreements
reached with other employees or agents.  The security of this email and
any attachments cannot be guaranteed. Email messages are routinely scanned
but malicious software infection and corruption of content can still occur
during transmission over the Internet. Any views or opinions expressed in
this communication are solely those of the author and do not necessarily
represent those of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).

 

Find us at:

Facebook: Facebook.com/metpoliceuk
Twitter: @metpoliceuk

Dear Metropolitan Police Service (MPS),

If it helps, Thames Valley Police have provided me with stats for the following;
Number of incidents reported as 'domestic dispute'
Number of incidents reported as VAP(violence against a person).
Number of VAP crimes that have been flagged with a 'domestic' marker', specifying the number of and being gender specific.
Arrest figures for VAP with the domestic marker flagged, specifying the gender numbers.
If you are able to supply the same or similar please do.
In regards to question 4, women are treated completely differently. Females victims of domestic violence are treated as if they are eggs in cotton wool and it is clearly evident that the forces across the UK, are infact gender bias towards domestic violence. This is clearly demonstrated by The Home Office and the posters it puts out....when do you ever see a male victim of domestic violence on those pictures. So, my question is, what tools/procedures are put in place for each gender of domestic violence as they are clearly different.

Yours faithfully,

Dave Darby

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)

I am out of the office until Tuesday 30th June.

If you are a member of the public and wish to submit a new FOIA request or are responding to a clarification request, please use the following email address: [email address]

Should you not do so, the 20 working day time period will only start (or in the case of clarified requests the clock will only re-start) on the day I return to the office.

If you are internal, please forward your email to "FOI Request Form - DOI" for one of my colleagues to action in my absence.

Otherwise I will respond to your query upon my return.
Total Policing is the Met's commitment to be on the streets and in your communities to catch offenders, prevent crime and support victims. We are here for London, working with you to make our capital safer.

Consider our environment - please do not print this email unless absolutely necessary.

NOTICE - This email and any attachments may be confidential, subject to copyright and/or legal privilege and are intended solely for the use of the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender and delete it from your system. To avoid incurring legal liabilities, you must not distribute or copy the information in this email without the permission of the sender. MPS communication systems are monitored to the extent permitted by law.

Consequently, any email and/or attachments may be read by monitoring staff. Only specified personnel are authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of the MPS by email. The MPS accepts no responsibility for unauthorised agreements reached with other employees or agents. The security of this email and any attachments cannot be guaranteed. Email messages are routinely scanned but malicious software infection and corruption of content can still occur during transmission over the Internet. Any views or opinions expressed in this communication are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).

Find us at:
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Twitter: @metpoliceuk

Dear Metropolitan Police Service (MPS),

Please note that I am still waiting for my information. This is long overdue.

Yours faithfully,

Dave Darby

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)

Dear Mr Darby

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2015080000960

I write in connection with your request for a review of the original MPS
decision relating to 2015050001401 which was received by the Metropolitan
Police Service (MPS) on 16/08/2015.  

Your request for a review will now be considered in accordance with the
Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act).  You will receive a response to
your request for a review of the original MPS case within a timescale of
20 working days.  In some circumstances the MPS may be unable to achieve
this deadline.  If this is likely you will be informed and given a revised
time-scale at the earliest opportunity.

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet, which details your right of
complaint.

Yours sincerely

R. Loizou
Support Officer - Freedom of Information Triage Team
COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the
decision is incorrect?

You have the right to require the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to
review their decision.

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome to discuss the
response with the case officer who dealt with your request.  

Complaint

If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of
the MPS made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information you can lodge a complaint with the MPS to have the
decision reviewed.

Complaints should be made in writing, within forty (40) working days from
the date of the refusal notice, and addressed to:

FOI Complaint
Information Rights Unit
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF
[email address]

In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 20 working days.
The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with the MPS if you are still dissatisfied with
the decision you may make application to the Information Commissioner for
a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with in
accordance with the requirements of the Act.

For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner
please visit their website at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk.
 Alternatively, phone or write to:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone:  01625 545 700

Total Policing is the Met's commitment to be on the streets and in your
communities to catch offenders, prevent crime and support victims. We are
here for London, working with you to make our capital safer.

 

Consider our environment - please do not print this email unless
absolutely necessary.

NOTICE - This email and any attachments may be confidential, subject to
copyright and/or legal privilege and are intended solely for the use of
the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, please
notify the sender and delete it from your system.  To avoid incurring
legal liabilities, you must not distribute or copy the information in this
email without the permission of the sender. MPS communication systems are
monitored to the extent permitted by law.  Consequently, any email and/or
attachments may be read by monitoring staff. Only specified personnel are
authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of the MPS by
email. The MPS accepts no responsibility for unauthorised agreements
reached with other employees or agents.  The security of this email and
any attachments cannot be guaranteed. Email messages are routinely scanned
but malicious software infection and corruption of content can still occur
during transmission over the Internet. Any views or opinions expressed in
this communication are solely those of the author and do not necessarily
represent those of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).

 

Find us at:

Facebook: Facebook.com/metpoliceuk

Twitter: @metpoliceuk

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)

Dear Mr. Darby  

Freedom of Information Request Reference No:  2015080000960

Further to our acknowledgement, I am now able to provide a response to
your complaint concerning your overdue Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
request (reference number: 2015050001401).  

DECISION

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has completed its review and has
decided there has been a breach of section 10(1) of the Act.

REASON FOR DECISION

I am aware that a response to your request was originally due on 24 June
2015.  However, you are yet to receive a response to this request.  In
terms of the processing of your request and the MPS failing to respond
within the statutory time frame, there has therefore indeed been a breach
of the Act.  Section 10(1) of the Act states that "subject to subsections
(2) and (3), a public authority must comply with section 1(1) promptly and
in any event not later than the twentieth working day following the date
of receipt".  It is clear that this has not happened in your case.

I appreciate that in this instance there has not only been a failure to
comply with your request within the statutory deadline, but also a failure
to provide you with a revised estimated date for a response.  Accordingly
I would like to take this opportunity to apologise and hope to reassure
you that the MPS do take compliance with the Act very seriously and are
working hard to promote good practice with regard to the processing of
requests.  The MPS is continually striving to ensure our statutory
deadlines are met.  To ensure good practice, all information managers are
advised to keep applicants regularly and meaningfully updated in good time
if there is a possibility their request deadline will not be met for any
reason.  I am sorry that this has not occurred in your case.

The MPS apologises for any inconvenience this ongoing delay is causing.  I
am aware of this case having discussed it with the Information Manager
responsible for your case.  I am aware that the reason behind the delay
was in relation to ongoing consultation with internal stake-holders about
the data.  The case is now awaiting final approval from the appropriate
decision maker before it can be sent to you.  The aim is to have the
response to you shortly, and ideally by the end of this week or the start
of next.  I will be in touch should any further unforeseen delays occur,
although I hope that this will not be necessary.

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

If you are dissatisfied with this response please read the attached paper
entitled Complaint Rights which explains how to contact the Information
Commissioner with your complaint.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please
contact me quoting the reference number above.

Yours sincerely

S. Stroud
FOIA Advisor
Information Rights Unit
COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the
decision is incorrect?

You have the right to require the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to
review their decision.

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome to discuss the
response with the case officer who dealt with your request.  

Complaint

If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of
the MPS made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information you can lodge a complaint with the MPS to have the
decision reviewed.

Complaints should be made in writing, within forty (40) working days from
the date of the refusal notice, and addressed to:

FOI Complaint
Information Rights Unit
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF
[email address]

In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 20 working days.
The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with the MPS if you are still dissatisfied with
the decision you may make application to the Information Commissioner for
a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with in
accordance with the requirements of the Act.

For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner
please visit their website at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk.
 Alternatively, phone or write to:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone:  01625 545 700

Total Policing is the Met's commitment to be on the streets and in your
communities to catch offenders, prevent crime and support victims. We are
here for London, working with you to make our capital safer.

 

Consider our environment - please do not print this email unless
absolutely necessary.

NOTICE - This email and any attachments may be confidential, subject to
copyright and/or legal privilege and are intended solely for the use of
the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, please
notify the sender and delete it from your system.  To avoid incurring
legal liabilities, you must not distribute or copy the information in this
email without the permission of the sender. MPS communication systems are
monitored to the extent permitted by law.  Consequently, any email and/or
attachments may be read by monitoring staff. Only specified personnel are
authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of the MPS by
email. The MPS accepts no responsibility for unauthorised agreements
reached with other employees or agents.  The security of this email and
any attachments cannot be guaranteed. Email messages are routinely scanned
but malicious software infection and corruption of content can still occur
during transmission over the Internet. Any views or opinions expressed in
this communication are solely those of the author and do not necessarily
represent those of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).

 

Find us at:

Facebook: Facebook.com/metpoliceuk

Twitter: @metpoliceuk

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)

2 Attachments

Dear Mr Darby

Freedom of Information Request Reference No:  2015050001401

I write in connection with your request for information which was received
by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 21/05/2015.  I note you seek
access to the following information:

1. Number of incidences of domestic violence calls that officers have
attended for the period 2013-2014. Please specify the numbers of female
victims and male victims separately.

2. Of the aforementioned, please supply the outcomes, such as prosecutions
and charges, for females and males separately. Also supply a list of
number of arrests for females and male victims, separately

3. Please supply a copy of your policies towards domestic violence when
the female is the perpetrator and same again when the male is.

4. Please also supply a list of supporting tools you have for both genders
that you put into place. Please list each gender separately.

Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to your request.

EXTENT OF SEARCHES TO LOCATE INFORMATION

To locate the information relevant to your request searches were conducted
with the Territorial Policing Capability and Support and Reporting
Services Units.

RESULT OF SEARCHES

The searches located records relevant to your request.

DECISION

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

1. Number of incidences of domestic violence calls that officers have
attended for the period 2013-2014. Please specify the numbers of female
victims and male victims separately.

Calls to the MPS and the subsequent dispatch of officers are recorded on
the CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) system.  The caller may not necessarily
be the victim of the offence (if an offence has occurred) and this system
does not record the gender of the caller. Therefore the information we can
provide you on this matter is limited to the number of domestic incident
flagged calls. You should also note that this information is recorded at
the time of the phone call and it may not always be apparent (or reported)
that the matter relates to a domestic incident. Finally I would like to
point out that one incident may prompt a number of 999 calls as there may
be a number of individuals independently reporting what they have
witnessed or heard.

2013 - 104,148 calls
2014 - 93,582 calls

Notes provided by our Reporting Services Unit: This is a count of computer
aided despatch records where the opening code of the record is 304 -
Domestic Incident. CAD records can be created from multiple sources of
information i.e. calls from members of the public or generated directly by
members of MPS staff.

Data provided to assist you

Our CAD system is not linked to CRIS (our Crime Reporting Information
System) and it is the latter that records any offences/alleged offences.
 In order to assist you I have obtained information below which relates to
the number of Domestic Abuse flagged offences.

2013 Offences with the Domestic Abuse flag
Violence against the person offences - 42,621
Other offences - 8,403

2014 Offences with the Domestic Abuse flag
Violence against the person offences - 51,761
Other offences - 10,789

This information is further broken down by gender in the attached
document.

2. Of the aforementioned, please supply the outcomes, such as prosecutions
and charges, for females and males separately. Also supply a list of
number of arrests for females and male victims, separately

As explained the CAD system is not linked to the CRIS system which records
offences therefore we cannot provide date in respect of "the
aforementioned".  While we cannot break down call as requests we can break
down offences (the data provided to assist you, see above).

Please see the attached document for this information

3. Please supply a copy of your policies towards domestic violence when
the female is the perpetrator and same again when the male is.

Please see the attached Domestic Abuse policy.

The MPS does not differentiate between domestic abuse committed by a male
against a female and domestic abuse committed by a female against a male.
 Furthermore this is not differentiated from individuals in same sex
relationships either (whether both parties are female or both male).
In September 2014 the MPS reviewed the domestic abuse policy and provided
practical toolkit/checklists to staff for each stage of the investigative
and supervisory process.

Our Policy Statement is quite clear - The MPS requires all officers and
staff to follow the guidelines set in our policy toolkit when
investigating cases of domestic abuse.  

When dealing with such incidents, officers and staff must:

·        Follow the guidance on dealing with victims and witnesses,
including children;
·        Ensure the protection and safeguarding of vulnerable adults and
children by assessing all victims/ witnesses/ persons in line with the
Vulnerability Assessment Framework (VAF);
·        Manage any risks to the safety of the victim;
·        Where powers/grounds exist, ensure the suspect(s) are arrested;
·        Ensure all relevant intelligence, including officer safety
issues, are recorded.

The aims of the policy are to:

·        Prevent and detect crimes of domestic abuse and by working in
partnership with other agencies;
·        Hold perpetrators of domestic abuse accountable for their
actions; and stop the abuse,
·        Ensure the safety of victims and their children experiencing
Domestic Abuse

When considering the different treatment of males and females within the
domestic abuse context, our accompanying Equality Impact Assessment
clearly states:

‘Policies are developed and reviewed using a consultative approach
involving relevant internal and external stakeholders. Additionally,
developers must consider what action needs to be taken to help overcome or
minimise any disadvantages that people who share a protected
characteristic will experience in compliance with the Equality Act 2010.
Finally, the impact of the policy will be monitored to identify any
emerging issues, learning and benefits post-delivery of the policy.’
Under the heading Sex, it states: - ‘The policy raises awareness and
removes any myths relating to domestic abuse and the gender of the victim,
witness or suspect. 7.1% of women and 4.4% of men were estimated to have
experienced any domestic abuse in the last year (2012/13) Equivalent to an
estimated 1.2 million female and 700,000 male victims. Officers and staff
are reminded that while most victims of forced marriages and honour-based
violence tend to be young women and girls, young men can also be victims;
also, both men and women may be the perpetrators of honour-based
violence.’

Within the policy checklist for officers who deal with domestic abuse
investigations there is a list of mandatory and non mandatory actions. The
third action on the list tells staff to:

·        Consider the protected characteristic/s of the
victim/witness/suspects (as defined by Equality Act 2010) and treat
according to their needs. Avoid making assumptions or stereotyping.

Our staff are also provided with an accompanying domestic abuse policy Q
and A’s document and I am including two of the questions I feel are
relevant to this response:

1. What statistics are there that show the level of Domestic Abuse?

‘The Crime Survey of England and Wales estimates of domestic abuse are
based on a relatively broad definition covering male and female victims of
partner or family non-physical abuse, threats, force, sexual assault or
stalking. The latest statistics show that in year 2012/13:
·        There were 7.1% of women and 4.4% of men who reported having
experienced any type of domestic abuse in the last year, equivalent to an
estimated 1.2 million female victims of domestic abuse and 700,000 male
victims.
·        Overall, 30.0% of women and 16.3% of men had experienced any
domestic abuse since the age of 16, equivalent to an estimated 4.9 million
female victims of domestic abuse and 2.7 million male victims.
Domestic Abuse (DA) continues to be perpetrated towards many members of
our communities. The impact is far reaching, permeating not just through
the home lives of those affected but also into school lives, workplaces
and social lives. The nature of the relationship between the victim and
the perpetrator means that domestic abuse has an impact on not just the
victim, but also children, family, friends and society itself.‘

2. Why is Domestic Abuse under reported?

‘Under reporting remains an issue. Certain groups may be reasons to be
reluctant to report to the police or prevented from doing so such as black
and minority ethnic (BME) people, the elderly, those with disabilities,
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and men.
Additionally, under-reporting, differing understandings of the definition
of the crime, the hidden and often perceived "private" nature of the crime
can mean the failure to identify domestic abuse as a crime and the extent
of the problem is often underestimated. For these reasons it is vital we
ensure our services are accessible to all.  

Some people may find it more difficult to talk to the police for a number
of reasons. All staff must consider how victims may perceive the initial
actions of police staff on their first encounter and treat them
sympathetically and according to their needs. When a victim reports
domestic abuse, police officers should not be influenced by or make
stereotypical assumptions based on the victim's protected characteristics
(defined in Equality Act 2010). The early actions taken by staff, the
recording and subsequent investigation of the allegation are of paramount
importance in both the evidential aspect and in establishing and
maintaining the trust and confidence of the victim.

Partnership working and information sharing should be seen as essential
factors in meeting the needs of the victims, their children and families.
 It is rare for police to be notified of the first domestic incident in
any relationship and it must be borne in mind that there will always be a
history whether reported or not. It is important incidents are not dealt
with as isolated incidents but are considered as a continuum of events.
This will make a difference to how the risk is assessed and managed and
inform the future investigation.’

Therefore the MPS makes it quite clear that this offence type is not only
experienced by women and our staff should always try and avoid
stereotyping. This stance is supported within our Policy Statement, Policy
Checklists and Policy Q and A’s documents.

4. Please also supply a list of supporting tools you have for both genders
that you put into place. Please list each gender separately.

The MPS does not hold lists of supporting tools, each borough will utilise
both local and national support agencies that it can refer victims to.
 These are not MPS support agencies and their details are available
through internet searches. Some boroughs refer victims to an IDVA
(Independent Domestic Violence Advocate) and the criteria for this will be
dependent on availability and funding and would be set by an individual
borough.

The victims codes of practice applies to all victims of domestic abuse. If
a case went to court then victims would also be referred to our witness
care unit.

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet which details your right of
complaint.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write
or contact David Edwards on telephone number 0207 161 3583 quoting the
reference number above.

Yours sincerely

David Edwards
Information Rights Unit

In complying with their statutory duty under sections 1 and 11 of the
Freedom of Information Act 2000 to release the enclosed information, the
Metropolitan Police Service will not breach the Copyright, Designs and
Patents Act 1988. However, the rights of the copyright owner of the
enclosed information will continue to be protected by law.  Applications
for the copyright owner's written permission to reproduce any part of the
attached information should be addressed to MPS Directorate of Legal
Services, 1st Floor (Victoria Block), New Scotland Yard, Victoria, London,
SW1H 0BG.
COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the
decision is incorrect?

You have the right to require the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to
review their decision.

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome to discuss the
response with the case officer who dealt with your request.  

Complaint

If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of
the MPS made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information you can lodge a complaint with the MPS to have the
decision reviewed.

Complaints should be made in writing, within forty (40) working days from
the date of the refusal notice, and addressed to:

FOI Complaint
Information Rights Unit
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF
[email address]

In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 20 working days.
The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with the MPS if you are still dissatisfied with
the decision you may make application to the Information Commissioner for
a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with in
accordance with the requirements of the Act.

For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner
please visit their website at www.ico.org.uk.  Alternatively, phone or
write to:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone:  01625 545 745

Total Policing is the Met's commitment to be on the streets and in your
communities to catch offenders, prevent crime and support victims. We are
here for London, working with you to make our capital safer.

 

Consider our environment - please do not print this email unless
absolutely necessary.

NOTICE - This email and any attachments may be confidential, subject to
copyright and/or legal privilege and are intended solely for the use of
the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, please
notify the sender and delete it from your system.  To avoid incurring
legal liabilities, you must not distribute or copy the information in this
email without the permission of the sender. MPS communication systems are
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authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of the MPS by
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but malicious software infection and corruption of content can still occur
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this communication are solely those of the author and do not necessarily
represent those of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).

 

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