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NPT Healthy Relationships Summary Strategy

Our Objectives

The strategic objectives for 2020-2023 will mirror those in our original strategy. Our chosen objectives are derived from the Welsh Government National VAWDASV Strategy. Having similar Objectives within Neath Port Talbot enables us to demonstrate how we will support the Welsh Government in achieving its policy objectives regarding Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence.

However, it is important to note that Objective 7 does not form part of the Welsh Government National Strategy as this is focused on Criminal Justice. Welsh Government do not have devolved responsibility for this area, it remains the responsibility of the UK Government. In order to ensure a holistic response to VAWDASV in NPT we want to reflect the contribution that CJS partners are making locally, and how we will work to improve these arrangements.

Objective 1

Increase the reports of Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence in Neath Port Talbot, through awareness raising and challenging attitudes

For 2020-2023, on a regional basis, we will;

  • Combine the Communications and Engagement Group with the sister arrangements in Swansea, and ensure the membership of the group is extended to include;
    • a local survivor(s), to help shape future awareness raising campaigns and initiatives
    • Area Planning Board representative
    • Swansea Bay University Health Board representative
  • Raise awareness of the following initiatives to further encourage victims to come forward and access appropriate help and support;
    • Clare’s Law – Clare’s Law, also known as the Domestic Abuse Disclosure Scheme, allows people to find out if their partner has an abusive or violent past. It is named after Clare Wood, who was killed by her former partner in 2009.
    • Bright Sky – Bright Sky is a free to download, discreet mobile app providing support and information for anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know
    • Ask Angela – Ask Angela is a sexual violence prevention campaign which aims to help individuals feel safe when they are on a night out. An individual can get help by asking a member of staff for Angela at the bar if they are feeling uncomfortable on a date, or in a potentially dangerous situation.
  • Actively promote the Respect Helpline for victims and perpetrators during local engagement events
  • Continue to amplify Welsh Government campaigns regarding VAWDASV, to ensure we play our part in strengthening the messages and making them recognisable across all areas of Wales.
  • Consider alternative approaches to engage with the following groups, encouraging more people to come forward if they are experiencing VAWDASV;
    • Young women
    • Older victims
    • Disabled victims
    • Male victims
  • Develop, launch and evaluate a local Sexual Violence Prevention campaign, using local data to ensure messages are targeted at those who may be at most risk within our communities
  • Develop a calendar of national and local events and activities for every year

Objective 2

Increase awareness in children and young people of the importance of safe, equal and healthy relationships and that abusive behaviour is always wrong.

For 2020-2023, on a local basis we will;

  • Work with Welsh Women’s Aid and the Education Directorate to participate in the Whole School Approach pilot in 4 schools across the borough
  • In partnership with the Relationship & Sexuality Education Group, ensure the Healthy Relationship lesson is rolled out to all schools across Neath Port Talbot, ensuring take up is monitored and increased over the next 3 years.
  • Using existing initiatives (such as Crucial Crew, It’s Your World Wellbeing Workshops, the Healthy Relationship Lesson, Spectrum programme and the Whole School Approach) to ensure all children are aware of services or points of contact with whom they can share any concerns they may have about their own relationships or their friends, family or others in the community.

For 2020-2023, on a regional basis we will;

  • Raise awareness of the Welsh Government VAWADSV campaign targeted at CYP, to strengthen the messages and ensure they become recognisable to as many young people as possible

Objective 3

Increased focus on holding perpetrators to account and provide opportunities to change their behaviour based around victim safety.

For 2020-2023, on a regional basis we will;

  • We will work in partnership with Swansea CC to explore funding opportunities and appropriate implementation plans for the regional commissioning of the Equilibrium Programme
  • Ensure we have a suitable referral pathway, to encourage referrals, use and attendance of the programme
  • Consider what measures we can take to improve the identification of perpetrators and engage them in programmes that tackle their behaviour and hold them to account
  • Work with Housing Options to monitor the number of perpetrator evictions under the Renting Homes Wales Act, which states ‘perpetrators of domestic abuse can be targeted for eviction to help prevent those experiencing domestic abuse from becoming homeless; supporting the aims of the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015 to provide preventive, protective and supportive mechanisms in the delivery of services’
  • Continue dialogue with Welsh Government to establish who is responsible and accountable for this area of work

Objective 4

Make early intervention and prevention a priority – To reduce the number of repeat victims and reduce the number of high risk cases

For 2020-2023, on a local basis we will;

  • Work with Supporting People, Area Planning Board, Community Safety and Families First commissioners to refocus funding in line with a new service model
  • In considering the findings of the Dr. Jane Monckton Smith research; work with providers to seek out further funding opportunities to support the expansion of early intervention and prevention initiatives
  • Continue to work with South Wales Police on the Early Action Together programme, incorporating ACE’S into their work and integrating services into the Social Services front door
  • Conduct research to identify unidentified need – working with local services to better understand the needs of male victims, LGBT victims, BAME victims, disabled and older people, identifying any gaps in current provision

For 2020-2023, on a regional basis we will;

  • Work with the Health Board to implement, monitor and evaluate the roll out of IRIS across the region
  • Work with the Health Board to consider establishing a hospital based IDVA provision
  • Work with Welsh Women’s Aid to deliver on their Change That Lasts Model

Objective 5

Relevant professionals are trained to provide effective, timely and appropriate responses to victims and survivors

For 2020-2023, on a local basis we will;

  • Work with local service providers to ensure they receive appropriate training on complex needs
  • Ensure all agencies in the local VAWDASV partnership give a commitment to training plans within their own organisation over the next 3 years.
  • When delivering VAWDASV training, give consideration to the recommendations of local Domestic Homicide Reviews, to ensure everyone feels confident to signpost victims to appropriate support services or VAWDASV champions
  • Raise awareness, through our training roll out, of the newly developed ‘Safe Leave’ policy for NPT staff who are affected by VAWDASV

For 2020-2023, on a regional basis we will;

  • Continue roll out of Group 1 training to all NPT staff and commence roll out of ‘Ask & Act’ Group 2 Training across Neath Port Talbot and Swansea
  • Work with Welsh Women’s Aid to deliver Group 6 of the National Training Framework to all local members and senior leaders

Objective 6

Provide all victims with equal access to appropriately resourced, high quality, needs led, strength based,
gender responsive services across Neath Port Talbot

For 2020-2023, on a local basis we will;

  • Embed and incorporate the VAWDASV Commissioning Guidance into our practice so that those who commission services can ensure activity is better informed, more joined up and value for money, ensuring that specialist services in NPT meet victims’ needs
  • Further develop links with local specialist providers who meet the needs of people affected by other forms of violence such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
  • Work with Supporting People to complete the commissioning exercise to implement a new service model for Accommodation and Support.
  • Further develop links with local housing providers and Housing Options to ensure victims in need of alternative housing are appropriately supported
  • Conduct a further review of high risk arrangements to ensure the changes identified are embedded and having a positive impact
  • Work with Social Services to review the response to Adults at Risk, specifically in respect of domestic violence and abuse.

For 2020-2023, on a regional basis we will;

  • Work with Swansea CC to consider the demand for regionally developing the SWAN project (The SWAN Project, delivered by Swansea Women’s Aid, supports women who are sex working. They provide practical and emotional support and aim to improve the safety and well-being of women accessing the service)

Objective 7

Increase focus on improving the recognition of, and responses to VAWDASV in all Criminal Justice proceedings

For 2020-2023, on a regional basis we will;

  • Work in partnership with South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner to further improve outcomes; to reduce the number of repeat victims; and to identify how we can intervene effectively much earlier
  • Working in partnership with the Police and Courts, identify what needs to change to better support victims, including victimless prosecutions and how evidence is gathered.
  • Increase awareness with local solicitors and legal reps of the importance of recognising all forms of VAWDASV and providing appropriate responses in family court situations