DASH Risk Assessments

1. Ensuring all DV/DA reports are risk assessed on the front line by officers and how is this monitored

2. Which of the following is the constabularies policy in regard to risk assessments:

a. That it Risk Assess only the alleged victim (IE the reporting party)or

b. That it Risk Assess both alleged victim and alleged perpetrator no matter who reports (IE Dual Risk Assessment)In either case before or after an arrest or other change in the proximity of one person to the other (IE Either officers conduct as a matter of policy a single or dual risk assessment regarding each individual DV report.]

3. In the following how many risk assessments were done in the last year

a. Single Risk Assessments

b. Dual Risk Assessment (a single count for both assessments)

The above is raised in light of in DV/DA Risk Assessments there are a number of scenario dynamics that need to be considered as possible, listed as follows IE who is the victim and who is the perpetrator, a report alone cannot evaluate the matter.

 Male Perp

 Female Perp

 Both Perps (common couple ie equal)

 Both perps but one is reactive victim

 Perp makes victim look like perp

 Perp Inciting other to go for victim (Other here can also include other family and officials like the police) Abuse by proxy.

Dual Risk Assessments are a vital too enable the above to be evaluated.

In some cases where dual risk assessments have been done previously thought of as perpetrators have been found to be a very high risk victims IE at risk of murder, this has resulted in MARAC, with out this not only adult victims would have been previously more at risk of being mis-categorised as perpetrators but this could also have put children at more high risk.

4. Does the constabulary have a policy that would include recording crime/prosecuting both parties if both were as above “Both Perps (common couple ie equal) or would it only prosecute or only one and how would it decide which one.

5. Given that false allegations of DV can be made to gain advantage for another purpose, say for control of a home or in civil proceedings say involving children, what is the forces policy in regard to crime recording and prosecutions in such matters

6. If the event that the constabulary:

a. Does have a dual risk assessment policy for front line officers: How has it performed and what benefits have been seen.

b. Does not have a dual risk assessment policy is it willing to introduce one as being consistent with its duty to ensure public protection and its gender equality duty (GED)

7. Does the constabulary have a gender inclusive DV policy and DV definition as a part of its GED

8. In the event that:

a. The constabulary has a dual risk assessment policy has it ensured that its partner agencies, via it’s local area DV officers/coordinators, in local DV forums are aware and practice this as well as a part of their GED and as a part of MARAC’s and where applicable to assist in their duties under the sex discrimination act

b. That the constabulary introduces as dual risk assessment policy will it ensure that its partner agencies, via it’s local area DV officers/coordinators, in local DV forums are aware and practice this as well as a part of their GED and as a part of MARAC’s and also where applicable to assist in their duties under their sex discrimination act

In accordance with section 1(1) (b) of the Act our response is provided below;

1. Cheshire Constabulary utilise the DASH Risk Assessment Model for Domestic Abuse Incidents. It's use is monitored by area Public Protection Units who complete a secondary assessment.

2. Cheshire only uses the DASH RA Model for victims

3. Domestic Abuse Incs = 5381 Domestic Incs = 11617

4. Each individual case would be investigated and liaison with CPS as appropriate.

5. Notwithstanding the suggestion that false reports of Domestic Violence may, or may not be made, the Constabulary is unequivocal in it`s support for and compliance with the National Crime Recording Standard, and all allegations of crime, whatever their classification will be considered on individual merit.

An incident will be recorded as a crime, for offences against an identified victim, if, on the balance of probability:

The circumstances reported amount to a crime defined in law, and there is no credible evidence to the contrary, a notifiable crime will be recorded.

A crime will remain recorded unless additional verifiable evidence is available to determine that no notifiable crime occurred.(As per NO 4)

6. At this time there are no plans to introduce a dual risk assessment, however Cheshire Police risk assess all parties within the incident, the family unit and community when dealing with Domestic Abuse

7. The Cheshire Policy is gender non specific. We have resources and services in place for both female and male victims.

8. N/a

For your further information please see also national guidance document produced by the NPIA

Domestic Abuse Guidance 2008

You may wish to view our policies in relation to the protection of vulnerable people which can be found in the following section of our web site: Policies & Procedures