See the Safeguarding Adults section of the Council website

Anger management is considered an unsafe and inappropriate intervention for perpetrators of domestic violence as it is controlling behaviour, not anger, that is the problem. Perpetrators are selective about who they are violent towards and managing anger is not the issue.

The DASH (Domestic Abuse, stalking and honour based violence) risk model is a risk management tool developed by CAADA (Coordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse) to help front line practitioners identify high risk cases of domestic abuse, stalking and ‘honour’- based violence. It aims to identify what support may be required aid decision making on which cases need to be referred to MARAC. It is a shared tool to be used across agencies which provides a shared understanding of risk.

West Midlands Police DASH form

DASH form

The term "female genital mutilation" (also called "female genital cutting" or “female circumcision”) refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It is often undertaken due to culture or tradition and is not religious.

The World Health Organization estimates that 100-140 million women and girls have undergone FGM internationally. The International Centre for Reproductive Health estimate 279,500 women in the UK have undergone FGM with approximately 22,000 girls at risk each year.

Female genital mutilation has been reported to occur in all parts of the world, but it is most prevalent in: the western, eastern, and north-eastern regions of Africa, some countries in Asia and the Middle East and among certain immigrant communities in North America and Europe. It is nearly always carried out on minors and is therefore a violation of the rights of the child. The most common age range is 4 – 14.

FGM in Birmingham usually comes to light either at the point of pregnancy or through schools and teaching staff who have children from the practicing communities. For schools one of the key times that young girls are vulnerable is during the 6 week summer holiday, where there is an opportunity for recovery from the effects of FGM.

FGM is a criminal offence under Female genital Mutilation Act 2003. It is an offence under the Act to arrange, procure, aid or abet female genital mutilation. The penalty if convicted is up to 14 years imprisonment. Parents or carers may, therefore, be liable under the Act. It is also an offence for a person to conspire to commit or procure FGM outside the country, regardless of the law in the country in which the act is being committed.

Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board have procedures on FGM which can be found at www.lscbbirmingham.org.uk/

FGM is a crime. If you are concerned for the safety of a child contact the Police.

Forward is a national charity that provides information and support in relation to FGM. They can be contacted on 020 89604000 or www.forwarduk.org.uk

If you would like to know more about the work of Birmingham Against FGM working group, please contact info@bdvf.org

The ‘Together we can end violence against women & girls strategy’ was launched November 2009

The National Domestic Violence Delivery Plan was first published in 2005 and is updated annually, outlining Government action to address domestic violence. The plan covers forced marriage, FGM and honour based violence.

So called honour based violence is rooted in unequal and unjust gender relations where women are denied the right to exercise choice and control over their own lives. Violence, including murder, occurs as a result of actual or perceived immoral behaviour, which is deemed to have breached the honour code of a family or community, causing shame. It includes early and forced marriage, dowry-related incidents and female genital mutilation (FGM).

London Safeguarding Children Board gives advice for professionals, including:

“When dealing with victims of honour based violence, do not speak with them in the presence of their relatives. Women that return to their families should be offered support including, escape plans, the option to deposit their DNA, finger marks and photograph with the police. Ensure that you make a full record of what is said, what you have done and to whom you have referred onto.

Where a victim has fled, be aware that members of the family may make false allegations of crime against them in an attempt to enlist your support to track them down. This may be in the guise of missing person reports or an alleged theft. They may also employ bounty hunters/contract killers to trace and return the victim.”

For further guidance, see their website

Association of Chief Police Officers guidance

Also see Government Equalities Office

An IDVA is an independent support worker supporting victims of domestic violence who may be involved with statutory agencies. In Birmingham, the IDVAs are based at the Women’s Safety Unit run by Women’s Aid. Birmingham has IDVAs provide support to victims through the criminal justice process and both Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield Courts; a Civil IDVA, helping women gain protection through civil action and soon there will be MARAC IDVAs helping women at high risk engage with services to protect them.

An ISVA is a support worker who works with victims of sexual violence, independently from any statutory agencies. Advocacy, information, emotional & practical support are provided to victims by the specialists, including advice on the criminal justice system and can support victims in reporting to the police if it is the person’s wish. Birmingham has ISVAs who work with people aged 13 and upwards and are contactable through RSVP, listed in the directory.

See our Mental Health page

Also see the guide for mental health and substance misuse workers

The vast majority of perpetrators of domestic violence are men, who use abusive behaviour to control their partners and former partners.

If you are a man who is worried about your behaviour towards your partner, or if you have been abusive or violent, you can get information from the Respect Phoneline. Respect is the UK association of domestic violence perpetrator programmes and associated support services for women. Not every area in the UK has a perpetrator programme – the Phoneline can provide details of the one nearest to you. 

Respect Phoneline - 0845 122 8609 

The Phoneline is an information line and doesn't provide counselling or emotional support. It is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am-1pm and 2pm - 5pm. You can also email phoneline@respect.uk.net or send a text to 07624 818 326. 

A new tool for screening the risk to children and young people exposed to domestic abuse is being piloted by Children’s Social Care. The tool was developed by Barnardos and is available to download here.

Additional guidance is available in this Barnardos report from two pilot studies using the risk assessment model

Sexual violence includes a range of different behaviours, many of which - such as sexual assault or rape - are crimes.

Sexual abuse is often a component of domestic violence - for example, partners and former partners may use force, threats or intimidation to engage in sexual activity; they may taunt or use degrading treatment related to sexuality, force the use of pornography, or force their partners to have sex with other people. Rape and sexual assault are crimes, whether or not they take place within marriage or between partners or ex-partners. Most serious sexual assaults are perpetrated by someone known to the victim (89% of women know the perpetrators according to the 2005/6 Britsh Crime Survey).

RSVP (Rape & Sexual Violence Project) are an agency specialising in sexual abuse in Birmingham 0121 236 5763

Also see ISVAs

Also see the government’s Sexual Violence & Abuse action plan

Stalking is defined as a constellation of behaviours in which an individual inflicts upon another repeated unwanted intrusions and communications (Mullen, 1999).

Intrusions include making approaches, maintaining surveillance and gathering information. Communication can be by telephone, letters, cards, faxes, internet, graffiti, gifts, or ordering goods and services on the victim's behalf.

Stalking is one of the most frequently experienced types of abuse – and contrary to common belief, most stalkers are former partners or friends of their victims. According to the British Crime Survey, nine per cent of women and seven per cent of men reported having been stalked in the last year, and just under a quarter of women (23%) reported having experienced stalking since the age of 16. Obscene or threatening phone calls or letters were the most common types of stalking behaviour experienced. (BCS 2005/06)

Anonymous registration for electoral roll (June 07): Victims of stalking and domestic violence can now benefit from new legislation which is designed to protect people at risk if their details appear on the electoral register. Those at risk can apply to their local authority in England and Wales to be registered anonymously while still being able to vote.

Victims of stalking can gain protection under either the civil or the criminal law through the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. The police can take action against stalkers, and it can be a good idea to some friends, neighbours and colleagues aware.

Further information can be found through:

Network for Surviving Stalking - www.nss.org.uk

Suzy Lamplugh Trust - www.suzylamplugh.org

For support with domestic violence, see the directory of services.

The White Ribbon Campaign is an international campaign encouraging men to take action to end violence against women. Information and resources area available through the campaign website. White ribbons are typically worn around November 25th each year in recognition of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.