8th August 2014

New initiative to improve police training on domestic abuse

New initiative to improve police training on domestic abuse

Domestic abuse victims will benefit from an improved police response thanks to a new review of police training on the issue, it was announced.

National domestic abuse charity CAADA and the College of Policing are working in partnership to review and improve the training that frontline and specialist officers receive, with the aim of driving up standards across the service.

The work, which will complete by early 2015, is part of a package of recommendations made by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) in a recent review of the police response to domestic abuse, published in March this year. HMIC also recommended that the experience of domestic abuse victims should play a central role in the new improved training, to ensure that police officers fully understand the complex nature of domestic abuse and are equipped to respond in the most effective way.

Diana Barran, Chief Executive of CAADA said: "We're delighted to work in partnership with the College of Policing to improve training on domestic abuse. A good police response can make a huge difference to a vulnerable victim who is calling the police for the first time - perhaps the difference between life or death. This work reflects a real commitment from both organisations to improve police standards in line with HMIC's recommendations."

Chief Executive of the College of Policing, Chief Constable Alex Marshall, said:

"The way in which the police service responds to domestic abuse has changed enormously in recent years. Experience has shown us that where we work with health and social care agencies and the voluntary sector, we can make a huge difference for victims of domestic abuse.

"The police do not work in isolation and this partnership with CAADA will ensure that our partner agencies are at the heart of the police service's initial response to domestic abuse cases so that more victims get the most appropriate support from the right agency at the right time."

Notes to editors:

The partnership includes the secondment of a CAADA employee to the College of Policing for 6 months to:

Review existing police training materials and revise as necessary

Design/deliver new train the trainers pack to upskill frontline and specialist officers

Design/deliver new qualification for chairs of multiagency forums, such as Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) and Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPAs).

For more information please contact Samantha Brown, Head of Communications at CAADA on 07935 268427 or emailing samantha.brown@caada.org.uk

Co-ordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse (CAADA) is a national charity supporting a strong multi-agency response to domestic abuse. Our work focuses on saving lives and saving public money. CAADA provides practical help to support professionals and organisations working with domestic abuse victims.

The College of Policing is the professional body for policing. It sets high professional standards to help forces cut crime and protect the public. The College is here to give everyone in policing the tools, skills and knowledge they need to succeed. The College of Policing will enhance the ability of police forces and individuals to deliver their mission of preventing crime and protecting the public.

The College of Policing is responsible for:

• Setting standards
• Promoting evidence-based good practice
• Accrediting training providers
• Supporting partnership working
• Leading on ethics and integrity