§ Ms ShipleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what initiatives have been taken by the police during the last year in respect of training relating to domestic violence. [30983]
§ Mr. MichaelThe probationer foundation course and post foundation training have both been revised during the last year to include material which reflects the implementation on 1 October 1997 of Part 4 of the Family Law Act 1996, including the civil remedies available for domestic violence and occupation of the home. Post probationer training also now includes inputs on the470W enforcement of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, with information about civil redress and the use of domestic violence units.
A course aimed at improving the quality of service given by the police to women who are victims of domestic violence is provided at the Police Staff College, Bramshill, for officers ranging from senior detectives who direct force crime strategies to more junior ranks who have daily dealings with victims and perpetrators of domestic violence.
More specific training on the handling of domestic violence takes place within forces and many forces have undertaken their own initiatives to reflect local needs. The guidance given to police forces emphasises:
the overriding duty to protect victims and children from further attack;the need to treat domestic violence as seriously as other forms of violence;the use and value of powers of arrest;the dangers of seeking reconciliation between assailant and victim; andthe importance of record keeping to monitor the policy in practice.All police forces now have policy statements on domestic violence. In many forces, Domestic Violence Units have been set up or Domestic Violence Officers appointed, with special responsibility for following through incidents of domestic violence, particularly in giving support and advice to victims and helping them get in touch with relevant outside agencies. Practice and procedures in this area are examined within forces by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. Current research into police practice in the area of domestic violence includes an evaluation by the Home Office of a repeat victimization policing response to domestic violence in West Yorkshire and newly-commissioned research into the connections between Domestic Violence Units and Child Protection Units in police forces. Reports are currently being drafted on inter-agency initiatives in Islington and Leeds.