Such violence includes: domestic violence sexual violence and abuse stalking

2. Violence Against Women and Girls -The United Nations (UN) Declaration (1993) on the Elimination of Violence Against Women defines such acts as Such violence includes: • domestic violence • sexual violence and abuse • stalking • female genital mutilation • so called “honour” based violence • forced marriage • prostitution and sexual exploitation • trafficking

3. Revised Definition of Domestic Violence (March 2013) Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour,  violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. This can encompass, but is not limited to, the following types of abuse: psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional Controlling behaviour is: a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour. Coercive behaviour is: an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim. This includes issues of concern to black and minority ethnic (BME) communities such as so called ‘honour based violence’, female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage.

4. Violence Continuums… • Emotional –conditions victim to accept abusive behavior • Physical – keeps victim in fear • Financial – keeps victim dependent • Social / environmental – isolates victim • Sexual – victim cannot say no All are underpinned by coercion, all can have varying consequences, but all stem from a desire to control and dominate a partner or other household member and have a psychological impact

5. Causes and Effects Everyone deserves a life free from abuse • Domestic and sexual abuse is not caused by alcohol, drugs, unemployment, mental ill-health cultural values or lack of control • It is caused by a desire to control, have power and dominate usually in an intimate or close relationship. • It can happen to any-one at any time in their lives regardless of race, religious beliefs, level of education, sexual orientation, occupation, income, age, community position or cultural / ethnic background. • Perpetrators are responsible for their own actions and will be held accountable by Suffolk’s criminal and civil justice systems.

6. Handling Disclosure • Take disclosure seriously – believe the victim • Abuse is not their fault – its unacceptable • Victim cannot change abusers behavior • Reassure victim – you are not the only one • There is life after domestic violence • Domestic violence rarely happens only once • Break the silence – don’t remain isolated • Confidentiality and its limits

7. Our Responsibility • Domestic violence is an under-reported crime that affects women and men across all communities, ethnicities, religions and cultures. Given the high correlation between domestic violence and mental and emotional health problems, chances are that if you work in mental health, as a counsellor, psychotherapist or therapeutic practitioner, you may have a client who is affected by this issue. It is vital to understand domestic violence and its impact on survivors in order to ensure you are working ethically and providing the best possible support.

8. Further Understanding • VAWG / Domestic Violence Awareness • HBV – Honour Based Violence, Forced Marriage & FGM • MARAC / Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference – CAADA DASH Risk Indicator Checklist • Safety Planning • Domestic Abuse & the Effects on Children • Teenage Relationship Abuse • Child to Parent Violence & Abuse