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Working with Resistance in Families Experiencing Violence:

Evidence based practice & local resources

Dr Amanda Bremble & DI Gary Bohun January 2009

A call is made every minute to the UK police reporting an incident of domestic abuse. DI Gary Bohun South Wales Police Service Public Protection Unit recognised that officers have little or no training in relation to domestic abuse (DA) after completing their initial training. Drawing on his own experience as a police officer he recognised how officers can become “conditioned” towards domestic abuse as a result of the number of incidents they deal with. In turn this can sometimes affect their response to victims, a view backed up by research (summary Hester, Pearson & Harwin, 2006).

DI Bohun wanted to provide officers with information and an appreciation of domestic abuse from the victim’s perspective. To this end DI Bohun wished to increase officers’ understanding as to why victims may not report incidents, may not make statements or withdraw them, and why victims may stay in abusive relationships. In addition DI Bohun wished to show how officers might maximize their duty to protect people and highlight what could be done in the face of victim opposition to police action.

Joint working in the local community

Option 2 in Cardiff & the Vale is an intensive intervention service for families experiencing child protection difficulties. The service has a background of working with families experiencing violence and utilises proven models of working with resistance.

DI Bohun approached the Option 2 Team to consider devising a 1-day training programme for Shift Supervising Officers with two main aims:

To give officers an understanding of the role of resistance in working with families experiencing violence.

To equip participants in supporting colleagues in engaging those family members into appropriate local support resources.

Content

The day’s training built on the skills and knowledge of the participants and included:

Experiential tasks focussing on the Process of Change and the role of resistance and motivation in behaviour change.
Workshop style input relating to violence in families and myths surrounding this, as well as considering the police response.
Information exchange regarding the role of the Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) and Domestic Abuse Unit, and best practice in taking statements, evidence collecting and recording.
Next steps looking at the local & wider implications for the participants.

Option 2 facilitated the day. The Domestic Abuse Unit and local IDVA presented in the Info Exchange slot and DI Bohun led the Next Steps discussion.

Outcome

Two cohorts of officers attended the day’s training delivered on 2 separate days a month apart. As part of the evaluation of the training participants completed an evaluation form on the day. In addition they also gave verbal feedback on what they felt had been beneficial about the training.

Participants on both days reported valuing the opportunity to spend a day “out” of the usual work demands to focus on DA. Officers welcomed the chance to explore the difficulties for victims of DA in progressing through the Process of Change. All reported how useful it had been to hear how the DA Unit and IDVA might support their work.

All those attending reported they would recommend the training to colleagues. Participants rated the days on three axis Helpfulness, Clarity and Value. Average scores are reported below:

Helpfulness 4.47 out of 5
Clarity in delivery 4.68 out of 5
Value 4.58 out of 5

Additional comments included:

“Really enjoyed it and glad I attended”

“Well structured day”

“Worthwhile, thank you”

“Gave me a more in depth knowledge into the support agencies”

“Useful to see how other divisions work and compare working practices”

DI Bohun reports that the training has not only achieved its aims but also exceeded them and has given officers a different perspective on DA. Feedback he received has been positive with officers reporting they feel more equipped to deal with DA incidents.

Impact

An unexpected outcome reported by DI Bohun was for the DA Unit on how they might further support response officers who deal with first reports of DA. This has led to the introduction of a leaflet for victims that can be handed out by response officers at incidents. The leaflet explains to victims how the police treat DA and what they can expect to happen following a police response. This has been recognised as best practice and introduced on a South Wales basis.

Future

The DI wants to explore how the training can be built on. He is eager to introduce it to all response staff if at all possible. This best hope was echoed by a number of the participants as reflected in the following feedback:

[I would] recommend the training for uniform response officers to heighten their awareness and preconceptions of DA.”

“This training should be given to all officers regardless of rank.”

References

Hester, M., Pearson, C. & Harwin, N. with Abrahams, H. (2006). Making and Impact: Children and Domestic Violence. A Reader. (2^nd Edition). London: Jessica Kingsley Pubs.

Stanko, E. (2000). The Day to Court: A snapshot of the impact of domestic violence in the UK. Criminal Justice, 1:2

Contact Details: Option 2 (Mike Maw Admin)

Haydock House, 1 Holton Rd Barry CF63 4HA 01446 725264

Option2@cardiff.gov.uk