Chapter 51: Guidelines on Dealing with Victims of Violence

These are common guidelines to be adopted when dealing with a potential or actual victim of violence who may approach your service for assistance.

The guidelines should be read alongside the Luton Safeguarding Children Board Inter agency Safeguarding Procedures at contained in this manual.

The guidelines on dealing with victims of violence apply to both male and female victims.
The most important factor to remember is that the person may be fearful and possibly cautious when approaching a large organisation that they may perceive as being linked to the police or legal services.
Sometimes people who are victims may claim to be seeking advice on behalf of someone else.
Staff must be reassuring and calm in manner, affording the person the time to speak and gain trust, before they may actually share their problem with you.
The location is extremely important. A victim of violence should be offered the opportunity to be interviewed in a quiet secure area, which cannot be overlooked from outside and protects their identity. There should be no distractions and where possible no barriers e.g. protective screens (Unless of course these are strictly necessary for health and safety reasons).
Reception staff should be aware that some service users may be victims of violence. They should seek clarification if necessary, in a separate area away from the public.
All victims of violence should be offered the opportunity (where possible) to be interviewed by a member of staff of the same sex.
Interpreters should be engaged at the earliest available opportunity.
Where it is not appropriate to speak to the victim immediately, for example, in a busy reception area. The victim should be offered a convenient appointment when a more in depth conversation can take place.
All victims of violence should be offered the opportunity to bring along a friend or support worker when interviewed.
When interviewing a victim of violence, staff should always endeavour to be supportive and sensitive. Whilst it is important a victim is informed of any rights or legal remedies available to them, this must be communicated to them sensitively. It must be explained that any assistance offered is not solely dependant on the victim taking particular legal action. A follow up interview should always be offered.
All victims of violence should be offered the opportunity to get specialist support and help. Contact numbers should be offered where appropriate. Frontline staff should seek support/guidance from their line managers and refer to relevant local policies.
In instances where children have witnessed or been directly affected by a violent incident, the Referral and Assessment Team must be informed so that an assessment of support needs can be made.
Staff should also be aware that where a vulnerable adult is believed to be suffering abuse, Adult Social Care Services have a duty to investigate. A vulnerable adult is someone who is or may be in need of Community Care Services and who is unable to take care of themselves, or protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation. If you think that you are dealing with someone who meets this definition of vulnerable, you should contact the Adult Social Care Duty Desk.
All information and advice given should be recorded on the clients file in line with Data Protection principles.
Staff should not contact the victim in relation to the violent incident, unless the victim has indicated it is safe to do so.

Useful telephone numbers;

In an Emergency Call	999
Luton Domestic Abuse Unit	01582 394384
Social care (out of hours)	0870 238 5465
L & D Hospital	0845 1270 127
Alcohol Services for the Community	01582 723 434
Foreign & Commonwealth Office	020 7008 0151 020 7008 1500
Samaritans	01582 720 666
Luton Women's Aid	01582 391 856
Victim Support	01582 723 779
NSPCC	01582 436 070
Luton All Women's Centre	01582 416 783
Bedfordshire Police	01234 841212
Luton Referral and Assessment Team	01582 547653
Adult Social Care Duty Desk	01582 547659/547660

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