Domestic violence and abuse

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Freedom of Information request
Would you please provide us with following information:
For the year 2012/13 (or latest year of complete record):
1 What services or provisions did the Council provide directly or indirectly to support specifically:
(a) female victims of domestic violence/abuse
(b) male victims of domestic violence/abuse.
2 What funding did the Council expend in the same period to provide such services for specifically:
(a) female victims of domestic violence/abuse
(b) male victims of domestic violence/abuse.

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Brighton and Hove City Council

For the year 2012/13 (or latest year of complete record):

1 What services or provisions did the Council provide directly or indirectly to support specifically:

(a) female victims of domestic violence/abuse?

In 2013/14 (the latest year of complete record) Brighton & Hove City Council commissioned RISE, a specialist domestic abuse charity, to provide a specific range of services for female victims of domestic violence/abuse and their children (girls and boys). This included:

• Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) service: for victims who are at high-medium risk of harm from partners, ex-partners or family members, with the aim of securing their safety and the safety of their children, and referring them on to the domestic violence community outreach service for domestic violence specialists to provide ongoing support once risk is reduced.

• Crisis service (including the Helpline): a key point of access to the city’s specialist domestic violence services and is used by survivors, their friends and families, and by professionals seeking information and support about domestic violence.

• Prevention and Recovery service: provision of information, advice, advocacy, practical and emotional support to survivors experiencing domestic violence across the city though individual support and advocacy, group-work programmes and counselling for women, children and young people living in the community, in Refuge or who are resettling.

• Refuge: Provision of accessible refuge support service for women and children.
In addition, female victims of domestic violence/abuse are able to access support from other services where they have other needs, this includes services provided by the Brighton & Hove City Council itself (for example, in relation to Children’s Services or Housing Options) or other services commissioned by the Council (for example, advice on finance and debt).

(b) male victims of domestic violence/abuse?

In 2013/14 (the latest year of complete record) Brighton & Hove City Council did not commission any specific services for heterosexual male victims of domestic violence/abuse. Boys would be able access services for the children of victims as described in the response to 1(a) above.

In addition, Brighton & Hove City Council commissioned specific provision within the Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) service (described in the response to 1(a) above for victims (including male victims) who identified as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Trans (LGBT).

However, male of domestic violence/abuse are able to access support from other services where they have other needs, this includes services provided by the Brighton & Hove City Council itself (for example, in relation to Children’s Services or Housing Options) or other services commissioned by the Council (for example, advice on finance and debt).

Brighton & Hove City Council has recognised that there is an issue with male victims requiring support and has taken steps to ensure this problem is addressed, including:

• Setting up the Domestic Abuse Surgery [weekly drop in], launched in January 2014 year, which is accessible to women and men.

• Developed a care pathway for victims of domestic abuse; this includes outlining the provision for heterosexual men.

• Worked with RISE to develop a care pathway for heterosexual men, so that where RISE’s services are based in ‘universal settings’ [Police, Ambulance, GP, A&E] it will provide any man who approaches them with on-the-spot advice, initial assessment and signposting.

Where a need for casework support for a man is identified is then be referred to support services such as Victim Support, the Men's Advice Line or Respect Phone Line, or equally other local services such as mental health teams or social services.

• Training has been delivered to a group of core staff from across the statutory and voluntary sector, on working with male victims.

• The Council is in the process of finalising a care pathway for victims of domestic abuse; this will include outlining the provision for heterosexual men.

2 What funding did the Council expend in the same period to provide such services for specifically:

(a) female victims of domestic violence/abuse?

Female victims may access a range of different services, provided or funded by the City Council, relating to their experience of victimization; we do not collate or hold information in a format that would enable a response to this enquiry

However, the funding for specialist services as described in the response to 1(a) for 2013/14 (the latest year of complete record) is available as a response to Freedom of Information Request 2462 (https://foi.brighton-hove.gov.uk/request...)

(b) male victims of domestic violence/abuse?

Male victims may access a range of different services, provided or funded by the City Council, relating to their experience of victimization; we do not collate or hold information in a format that would enable a response to this enquiry.

However, the funding for specialist services as described in the response to 1(a) for 2013/14 (the latest year of complete record) is available as a response to Freedom of Information Request 2462 (https://foi.brighton-hove.gov.uk/request...).

This includes provision for victims (including male victims) who identified as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Trans (LGBT).

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