Minister outlines ‘more co-ordinated plan of action’ to deal with domestic violence
Police, child protection workers and health professionals are expected to be among those who will come together to devise action plans for people affected by domestic violence.
Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Social Development and Seniors, highlighted how the Government, in partnership with SafeLives UK, will introduce a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference model.
She explained that all the necessary agencies will take part “in a more co-ordinated plan of action to manage the conduct of perpetrators and provide protection for victims of domestic violence”.
The approach was announced in the Throne Speech this month.
At a press conference yesterday, Ms Furbert said: “The Covid-19 pandemic magnified the unfortunate fact that economic stresses lead to increased social dysfunction and domestic abuse, and family violence in some extreme cases.
“A Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference — a MARAC — is a meeting in which representatives from critical agencies share information on the highest-risk domestic abuse cases.”
The minister added that representatives from housing and probation were also expected to be involved as well as specialists from the public and private sectors “relevant to the case at hand”.
She explained: “The primary focus of a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference is to use all relevant information to discuss options to create a co-ordinated action plan to safeguard the adult victim and children where applicable.
“It will also connect with other agencies to manage the perpetrator’s behaviour.
“I am pleased to share that the Ministry of Social Development and Seniors, the Bermuda Police Service, and the Centre Against Abuse, in partnership with SafeLives UK, who are specialists in domestic violence, have already commenced this collaborative initiative.
“Bermuda will be the first country to implement a MARAC outside the 270-plus existing conferences across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
“At the heart of a MARAC, as defined by SafeLives UK, is the working assumption that no single agency or individual can see the complete picture of a victim’s life, but all may have insights crucial to their safety.
“Our efforts will focus on a national cross-ministry and agency approach to increase public awareness of the damaging effects of domestic abuse and family violence on the island’s public health and improve the island’s systemic response to domestic abuse and family violence.
“Bermuda remains committed to ending domestic violence and establishing our own MARAC is vital to safeguard our people.
“It will also strengthen our commitment to the UK Ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women.
“This is growth in a positive direction for Bermuda and on behalf of the Government of Bermuda, thank you to the agencies working alongside us to implement this vital resource.
“We understand the importance of all agencies working together for a common cause and goal as addressing the safety of domestic violence victims requires a co-ordinated approach.”
Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Social Development and Seniors, provided progress reports on areas of work in her ministry.
Amending the Senior Abuse Register Act 2008
Ageing and Disability Services started working with organisations such as banks and the National Anti-Money Laundering Committee.
Ms Furbert said: “Their focus has been on improving the reporting, investigation and protection of seniors from financial exploitation within the legislative framework and using existing resources.”
She added: “To protect seniors against the growing prospect of financial abuse, our ministry is aware that more substantial protection is needed.
“This will require further development, and the work will continue as we look into key resources such as the Office of the Public Guardian.”
Developing a formal register of persons with disabilities
Ms Furbert said that the ministry was working to finalise a consultation paper on the introduction of a register.
She explained: “We have done extensive research on what databases exist in Bermuda that collect data on persons with disabilities and on other jurisdictions that have successfully established registers for persons with disabilities.
“In 2023, the public consultation will commence. The purpose is to consult with the general public on the feasibility of establishing a national disability registry; recognising the views of persons who have a disability, and those who are parents or guardians of persons with disabilities and whether they would utilise the registry, is critically important to advancing this initiative.”
Ms Furbert added that a register will help to identify which essential services are needed and the extent of the services required by people living with disabilities.
Litigation Guardians
Ms Furbert said that litigation guardians “were selected, appointed, and trained”.
She explained: “The primary purpose of a litigation guardian is to inform the court about the child’s voice and their professional analysis of what needs to happen going forward to guarantee that child’s safety and wellbeing.”
Ms Furbert said in July that litigation guardians would be gazetted that month but the notice was not published.
She said today: “We were in the process of redoing some of the contracts for litigation guardians so that has been quite a hold up in actually gazetting, but we will gazette the names of the litigation guardians. I believe we have five.”
Independent Living Programme
A scheme for young people who “age out” of care at 18 continues to progress, although the minister expected in March that it would be operational “within the next two months”.
She said today: “This programme will provide housing, intensive support, and guidance to our young adults, so that they may become successful and productive citizens.”
An independent living co-ordinator, who will oversee the programme, completed certification as an independent living specialist with the Daniel Memorial Institute.
Ms Furbert explained: “The Daniel Memorial Institute is an organisation that promotes best practices and innovations in foster care, adoption and independent living.”
She added: “Independent living support staff will be participating in therapeutic crisis intervention for families training next week to better equip them when working with young people and their families to achieve positive outcomes.
“A suitable multi-purpose facility has been identified, and the Department of Child and Family Services will continue the work necessary to ensure the facility is safe for occupancy.
“Additional town hall meetings have been scheduled with relevant stakeholders and community partners for this week.”
Ms Furbert said: “We are meeting with the area residents to inform them of what our aims and objectives are, wanting this to be community-based, making sure that security is in place, making sure that staff are trained.”
She added that six men and six women aged from 18 to 24 could qualify for the programme.
• To read the minister’s remarks in full, click on the link under “Related Media”.
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