Domestic Violence
Through the TVCP a main focus of activity to reduce domestic violence has been on increasing sanction detections and offences brought to justice. To achieve this we are working to improve evidence-gathering and investigation capabilities to ensure that more cases go to court, even in some cases where the victim withdraws from giving evidence.
A 999 call prompt card and a workbook for investigators of domestic violence have been developed and are being rolled out to all TVCP areas.
Ongoing activity to reduce domestic violence in the TVCP areas includes:
- DV action days targeting DV suspects
- Developing research packages on high risk individuals
- Target hardening
- Establishing links with housing providers so victims can find alternative accommodation at short notice
- Use of digital cameras to gather evidence
Specialist Domestic Violence Court Programme (SDVC)
TVCP work on domestic violence is part of wider work underway by the Home Office. Click here for details.
This includes the Specialist Domestic Violence Court (SDVC) Programme which brings together the police, CPS, HM Court Service, Probation Service and the voluntary sector, and has developed a co-ordinated local delivery model which complements the TVCP approach.
The number of areas involved in the SDVC has recently been extended to over 50, some of which are also in the TVCP.
Click here for more information and SDVC guidance.
Click here for the SDVC resource manual.
Domestic Violence Enforcement Campaigns (DVECs)
A Domestic Violence Enforcement Campaign (DVEC) took place between January - March 2006 in the TVCP and Specialist Domestic Violence Court areas to promote use of the 999 call prompt card and investigation workbook for domestic violence. As part of the campaign the Home Office funded the use of response cars in each of the areas, to attend to incidents and ensure the right evidence was taken and followed through. A DVEC conference took place on 3 May 2006, to discuss lessons learned from the campaign.
A second DVEC campaign took place during the 2006 football World Cup. All TVCP and SDVC areas were funded to carry out enforcement activity on key match days.
Click here to download Lessons Learned from the Domestic Violence Enforcement Campaigns 2006.
Body-worn camera equipment
The equipment, also known as 'headcams', has been trialled in Plymouth for 6 months and in other area across the country to varying degrees. The equipment has proved particularly useful for police officers attending domestic violence incidents. In some areas it is also used by officers dealing with other types of crime, for example public order offences.
This is essentially a small video camera wirn on the side of the head linked to a recording unit worn on the belt or in a pocket which allows an officer to record everything he or she sees, while keeping hands free for other tasks and enabling the officer to maintain the use of peripheral vision. Evidence captured using this method can be much more compelling than simple written statements. The hope is that more guilty pleas will result from using this type of evidence, and that, consequently, more offences will be brought to justice.
during the trial victims of Domestic Violence indicated that they felt they had a much stronger case when supported by the Body Worn Video evidence which captured all significant statements made during the police attendance.
A report into the Plymouth Trial to assist police areas or other public bodies with implementation and use was published on 12 July. Please click here to go to the online version of guidance via the home office website.
Last update: Friday, November 21, 2008