The Isles of Scilly Domestic Violence (Abuse) Forum
The Isles of Scilly DV Forum was first initiated in 2007, and a terms of reference was agreed upon in early 2008.
Our members are from all corners of the local community, and experts from further afield, and together we look at DV issues on the islands and seek to improve the situation for victims and families.
We meet quarterly, though members are in touch with each other inbetween meetings as well, so if something is urgent then we can react quickly.
Our role is basically to look at the mechanisms around DV, how easy is it for a victim to come forward, what services can we offer them, housing issues surrounding DV cases, protocols surrounding case meetings, securing the home, educating the community, trying to guide perpetrators to help, raising the profile of this crime on the islands.
The Forum is funded by the IOS Community Safety Partnership, this funding is targeted by the Forum members each year and put towards projects that collectively we think will best benefit the islands, which could be training, equipment, publicity or otherwise.
The following list constitutes the aims of the Forum, and is based on our terms of reference:
To develop, promote and achieve a shared responsibility and effective joint working between agencies and professionals within the voluntary, statutory and community sectors. This includes the indentification of barriers to the delivery of interventions and services that support victims of domestic violence and abuse and their families
To provide a local Forum for the sharing of good practice and exchange of depersonalised information on domestic violence and abuse issues
To promote equality of access to services across the Isles of Scilly for those affected by domestic violence and abuse
To ensure the views of users are obtained and such views inform the development of services
To contribute to the achievement of County-wide targets in respect of
Domestic violence and abuse through receiving, analysing, reviewing and taking responsibility for performance at the district level and taking or recommending appropriate action through the County structure e.g. LAA Outcome Delivery Group.
Members to have the responsibility of reporting back new initiatives, projects and updates regarding domestic abuse in the Isles of Scilly to their respective agencies
To promote education and awareness of domestic violence issues and the services and support available to the community. This includes the promotion of a definition of ‘domestic abuse’ which facilitates a wider understanding and acknowledgement of the issue.
To support the work of the county domestic violence co-ordinator.
To achieve and maintain links with the Children and Young People Partnership and the Local Safeguarding Children Board.
To identify gaps in service provision and make recommendations for the development of future services in Scilly.
For further help, guidance or advice on DV services, or the work of the DV Forum, then email Jane Stewart or Joel Williams at jstewart@scilly.gov.uk or jwilliams@scilly.gov.uk, or contact them via 01720 424000.
