Home Affairs - Sixth Report
Here you can browse the report together with the Proceedings of the Committee. The published report was ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 20 May 2008.
Contents
Key facts
Terms of Reference
Summary
1 The Committee's inquiry
2 Context
Definitions and nature of abuse
So-called "honour"-based violence
So-called "honour"-based violence and forced marriage: mainstreamed or separate?
Scale of abuse
"Honour"-based violence
Forced marriage
The cost of domestic violence
The current legislative picture
Government responsibilities
3 Victims and survivors
Male victims
Children
Those with insecure immigration status
Other groups with specific needs
Victims' voices in our inquiry: the Committee's eConsultation
4 Prevention
Raising public awareness through information campaigns
Education in schools
Abuse in teenage relationships
Some schools have developed educative programmes
But other schools seem reluctant to take action
Domestic and "honour"-based violence and forced marriage must be integrated into the curriculum
Amending visa application rules to prevent forced marriage
UK residency as a contributory factor in forced marriage
Using visa application procedures to tackle forced marriage is controversial
The UK Border Agency is consulting on changes to visa application procedures
Evidence on whether or not raising the age of sponsorship for a marriage visa would prevent forced marriage
The Government has a mechanism to help reluctant sponsors
But visas are still granted in forced marriage cases
Engaging communities is key to tackling "honour"-based violence and forced marriage
Resourcing of the Forced Marriage Unit
5 Identification of abuse
The role of health professionals
Health professionals routinely come into contact with victims
Initiatives have been introduced within the health sector
But the health sector was still singled out as being poor at engaging with domestic violence
Victims of abuse particularly mentioned General Practitioners
Perpetrators seek help from health professionals
Health professionals require accredited training
The role of schools and education authorities: children "missing" from schools
Training education professionals
Ofsted has a role to play
6 Emergency interventions
Helplines provide a lifeline in emergencies
The police response
Police risk assessment tools
The police response to victims has varied
More consistent training is required for front-line police officers
A police protection programme should be made available to victims of extreme "honour"-based violence
Emergency housing
There is a shortage of refuge space across the UK
Sanctuary Schemes allow victims to remain in their own homes
Victims with insecure immigration status are acutely vulnerable
7 Longer-term resettlement and post-separation support
Victims require long-term support
There are inadequate services for BME victims
Victims have long-term physical and mental health needs
Longer-term housing
Social housing is often inaccessible to victims of domestic violence
Private rental accommodation is inaccessible
Victims require financial support
The value of survivors' networks
8 Prosecution and the courts
Convictions for domestic violence are low
Measures have been introduced to increase successful prosecutions
Victim retractions and use of other evidence
Supporting vulnerable and intimidated witnesses
Specialist Domestic Violence Courts
Linking civil, criminal and family courts
Barriers still prevent victims from accessing the courts
Many victims cannot afford legal fees for civil courts
Child contact cases are being used to perpetuate abuse
Inadequate sentencing
Some report ignorance from judges and magistrates
9 Perpetrators
Behavioural programmes for perpetrators
Anecdotal evidence suggests programmes are effective in changing behaviour, but systematic evaluation is needed
There is a desperate shortage of perpetrator programmes run by the Probation Service
Community based programmes meet a specific need, but also face funding shortages
Rationalising services provided by the statutory and voluntary sector could maximise use of resources
"GO" orders: removing the perpetrator from the home
10 Partnerships
Multi-agency responses are needed to respond effectively to domestic violence
Appropriate data sharing is essential for agencies to work together
'One-stop shops'
Multi-agency risk assessment conferences (MARACs) and Independent Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVAs)
Reducing repeat victimisation
Criticism for focusing on high risk, disempowering victims and not being mandatory
11 Provision and funding of services
Service provision is a postcode lottery
Interventions are overly focused on 'high risk' cases
Commissioning and funding of domestic violence services
'Supporting People' funding
Local authority commissioning processes
Single Group Funding: the Community Cohesion agenda
Local Area Agreements have reduced the requirement on authorities to provide domestic violence services
The role of the Equality and Human Rights Commission
12 Legislation and strategy
The Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004
Breach of non-molestation orders: new police powers
The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act (2007)
Should forced marriage be made a specific criminal offence?
The cross-Government response to domestic violence
Government action on domestic violence is weighted towards criminal justice responses
A national strategy on domestic violence
Conclusions and recommendations
ANNEX
Summary of Home Affairs Committee eConsultation on Domestic Violence, Forced Marriage and "Honour"-Based Violence
The Committee's Domestic Violence inquiry and eConsultation
The purpose and value of the eConsultation
Site structure and development
Registration
IT access and computer literacy
Publicity
Management and moderation
Facilitation of moderation by committee staff
Profile of respondents
Appendix 1: Stakeholder organisations
Formal Minutes
Witnesses
List of written evidence
List of Reports from the Committee during the current Parliament
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE - VOLUME II (HC 263-II)
WRITTEN EVIDENCE - VOLUME II (HC 263-II)
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