Non-molestation pilot receives national award

North Yorkshire Police has been announced as a regional winner in the first National Police Chiefs' Council and College of Policing's recognition event for police officers, staff and volunteers who are working to tackle violence against women and girls.

At ane event held on 6 September 2023, the force won the recognition under the technology category for its ground-breaking Project Shield​ that brought together the police, His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service, Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS), technology company, CGI, and Edge Hill University, to launch a Domestic Abuse Non-Molestation Order Pilot.

Non-Molestation Orders (NMO) are civil orders granted by the courts to protect victims of domestic abuse from further harm. Breach of a NMO is a criminal offence.

In March 2019 the Centre for Women's Justice called for changes in the processes around enforcing protective orders to better support vulnerable victims. His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary Fire and Rescue Service then called for better data collection and a requirement for research to identify a more robust system of nationwide information sharing which can be used to improve the safety of vulnerable people.

North Yorkshire Police and partners had already picked up this challenge. Project Shield developed a new approach to ensure vital information about the existence and conditions of victims' non-molestation orders that had been granted by the courts, was easily accessible to safeguarding professionals and police officers.

The pilot utilised the Police National Database to share the information so that every police service in the country would know if a person they encountered was subject to a non-molestation order and what those conditions were.

The Court service also improved the information it collects to aid police identification of applicants and the perpetrators. They have also launched a pilot scheme to disclose non-molestation orders to the police before serving orders on the perpetrator.

The key benefits of the pilot were independently verified by Edge Hill University. The force's Domestic Abuse Officers were able to identify potential risk to victims earlier, allowing more time for critical safeguarding measures to be put in place to prevent harm.

The pilot also delivered real improvements to the frontline, by making essential information about the conditions of an individual's NMO accessible to police officers, meaning they could take quicker enforcement action when breaches of orders had taken place.

The solutions identified by the Project Shield team can be upscaled and rolled out nationally, so that all police forces and safeguarding agencies can experience the same benefits, and importantly, deliver a better level of service and safety to those who are most at risk of harm – the victims and survivors of abuse.

The scheme also helped to improve disclosures under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, meaning more victims could be informed about perpetrators who posed a threat to them.

Inspector Clare Crossan (pictured right, above), North Yorkshire Police's lead for Domestic Abuse, attended the event. She said: “The pilot has not only achieved our objectives of improving protection and safety of domestic abuse victims and survivors, it has also hugely increased visibility of perpetrators and those subject to non-molestation orders. This can only help prevent further people from becoming victims of what is one of the most prolific forms of abuse that we encounter.

​“Direct feedback from victims who have been informed through the scheme has been extremely positive. Safety planning has been undertaken with the victims, provided them with reassurance and given them the confidence to report any future breaches." 

The recognition event

The recognition event was developed and judged jointly by police forces and representatives from charities including SafeLives, Suzy Lamplugh Trust and Karma Nirvana, alongside the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, Nicole Jacobs, and police staff associations. Over 140 entries were received which were initially judged regionally by police and third sector panels, before being put in front of a national panel who decided the 13 overall winners.

All winning entries had to demonstrate how they built trust and confidence, that their approach was victim-centred, and they had to show impact, including how they were pursuing perpetrators. Judges were impressed with the effectiveness of many of the entries, giving particular praise to those officers, staff and volunteers who listened to victims and survivors, and then shaped their activity accordingly.

Other winners include a campaign to tackle misogynistic and sexist behaviour internally (Avon and Somerset Police), reducing violent crime committed against sex workers (Cleveland Police), educational sessions for schools (West Midlands Police) and a survivor of rape who has helped Lincolnshire Police by telling her story of the criminal justice system in order to support other victims.

DCC Maggie Blyth, National Police Chiefs' Council violence against women and girls' coordinator, said: “Thank you to everyone who works in policing and whose focus is on making society safer for women and girls.

“Having regional and national judging panels made up of experts from inside and outside policing have really helped us to focus on winners who have demonstrated both an understanding of what victims want and expect, but also on activity that is sustainable. It's only by modelling this excellent work that we can hope to achieve consistency for women and girls across our police forces. Entries also showed how we are pursuing perpetrators and showing them that there is nowhere to hide. We all want policing to achieve more and although we still have much to do, I am heartened by the quality of work that is underway."

Judging panel

Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales:

“I was honoured to participate in the judging panel for the violence against women and girls' recognition event as it is important to shine a spotlight on those who have gone above and beyond to help children and young people affected by VAWG. It is great to see that there were so many remarkable people who have shown great dedication to their work, and this is something that we should strive to achieve across all police forces. A huge congratulations to all!"

Ellen Miller, interim CEO, SafeLives:

“I was keen to take part because although there has been some appalling behaviour, and cultures that don't take this seriously enough, I know from experience that there are also many in the police who are working hard to improve the response for victims and survivors of abuse. I want to celebrate and promote what they do because the police have a unique role in protecting and obtaining justice for survivors. There's lots more to do but it's clear there are some stars working hard to transform the police from within and I celebrate the fact that they're listening to survivors and making a difference.“

Suky Bhaker, CEO, Suzy Lamplugh Trust:

“The Suzy Lamplugh Trust works with the National Police Chiefs' Council and local police forces to improve their response to stalking and ensure victims get the support and justice they deserve despite this devastating crime. We were glad to be able to support in the development of the categories for the VAWG police awards, in order to ensure that the voices of the tens of thousands of victims we represent were reflected and that the lived experience of victims of crime remained at the centre of the process. We very much hope that this event will champion best practice and ultimately improve the national police response to victims of all forms of violence against women and girls."

Natasha Rattu, Executive Director, Karma Nirvana:

“It is great to be part of the panel for the first National Violence Against Women and Girls' Policing recognition event. We know that the epidemic of VAWG requires clear and strong accountability to address the many harms arising from policing failure. We also recognise it very important to acknowledge positive policing practice to tackle VAWG to support a 'culture change' and inspire confidence for victims to come forward and report the violent crimes committed against them."

Steve Hartshorn, Chair, Police Federation of England and Wales:

“There is so much work and activity taking place across the country in relation to violence against women and girls, I was delighted and honoured to have been asked to sit as a  panel member to witness the sheer volume of commitment to address the very real and pressing issues. I commend every entrant, thank you."

Harvi Khatkar, Vice President, Police Superintendents' Association:

“Much of my work for the Police Superintendents' Association focuses on the importance of valuing difference, and doing all we can as an association to support inclusive environments.  The issue of violence against women and girls is very much a part of this, as it extends across our own working environments and our services to the public.

“It was therefore a privilege to be part of the judging panel. The calibre of nominations was extremely high, and reflective of the excellent work that many forces are undertaking to build trust and confidence with women and wider communities.  I hope these examples of best practice will instigate further positive change across the service."

Debi Potter, chair of UNISON's Police & Justice Service Group and Police Sector Committee (England and Wales):

“During the judging phase I was really pleased to see police staff and volunteers as well as officers stepping up and trying to improve the service that policing offer communities.  Those nominated should feel rightly proud of the work that they are doing in this arena"

The event has been kindly sponsored by Salesforce and Kulpa who have provided the venue free of charge, event support and a contribution towards the printed materials.

 

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