Merton tackled domestic violence (DV) as a priority after high-profile cases of honour-based violence and domestic violence homicide reviews found their approach was lacking. They focused on DV, honour-based violence, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, and sexual violence under the government's Violence Against Women and Girls agenda. Investing in local DV services is important because it reduces costs to the community from issues like homelessness and children's behavioral problems, and improves outcomes like decreased repeat victimization and increased reporting of DV incidents. Merton established a champion for DV, built partnerships, and implemented initiatives like multi-agency risk assessment meetings, a one stop shop for victims, and school programs to

1. Local delivery of DV services Mertons Story and how and why we focus on DV as a priority

2. Why did Merton tackle DV? High profile HBV (honour based violence) DVHR (domestic violence homicide review) Looked at what we were doing Found that we were lacking Learning Then the government brought in the VaWG agenda Fragmented approach to linked services Competition for scarce resources Gender specific (age limiting)

3. What is covered? Domestic Violence Honour Based Violence Forced Marriage Female Genital Mutilation Sexual Violence Sexualised Behaviour in Young People Services

4. Why is it a local issue? COST !!! Community impact and perception costs Reputational costs Long term costs Immediate costs Associated partner costs SOMEONES LIFE

5. The real costs to a local area Children’s services care – support – emotional and behavioural issues Housing re-housing – homelessness – cost of refuge places Adult social care - health – public health drugs – alcohol – mental health – physical health Criminal justice and crime Police – Prison – crime – perceptions of crime

6. What did we do? We got our self a ‘Champion’ We built on ‘Partnership’ commitment MARAC (multi agency risk assessment case conference) OSS (one stop shop) The Forum Schools programme

7. What more did we do? Training Front line staff - the MET Information Directory of Services – leaflets - 16 days Innovative support Lip balms - credit card information PAP - positive arrest policy Staff outside the CSU trained

8. How do we know it works? Increase in reporting (4%) Decrease in repeat victimisation (28%) Improved successful convictions (anecdotal) Male victims (28%) Numbers at the OSS (projected100) Number of staff trained (in excess of 300) Cost savings unquantifiable – case by case

9. Why invest in DV services? Do you have any questions?