Report Summary
This report provides members of the Policing Performance Committee with an overview of HMICS Review – Domestic Abuse Phase 1.
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Meeting
The publication discussed was referenced in the meeting below
Policing Performance Committee - 15 June 2023
Date : 15 June 2023
Location : online
Further Detail on the Report
HMICS last undertook a thematic inspection of domestic abuse in 2008, and note the strategic shift in policing to tackle this issue since then. The report notes a proactive approach to identifying and tackling the most persistent offenders of domestic abuse.
The enactment of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 and the introduction of the Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Act 2021 are highlighted within the report as delivering a significant commitment by both Government and Police Scotland to continue to tackle this issue. However the report also highlights the under reporting of domestic abuse and the barriers (social, economic and cultural) which persist.
The report acknowledges the improvement work undertaken by Police Scotland in this area but calls for further improvement in prioritising and tackling domestic abuse. In particular the report draws out the need for prioritisation of trauma informed practice and lived experience training as well as improved communication methods.
In total the report makes 14 recommendations for Police Scotland covering a range of operational and collaborative areas of focus, with two of these relating to the Authority. An additional 13 areas for development have been identified. Police Scotland and SPA officers have developed a suite of improvement actions and associated timescales which will deliver against the recommendations made by HMICS. The improvement plan will be presented to September committee.
