Version control
| Version number | Date | Author | Comments |
| 001 | 15/01/2025 | Lucy Thomas & Louise Andrews | |
Overview
| Name of product under development or review | Surrey Domestic Abuse Partnership (SDAP) |
| Description of the product | Surrey Domestic Abuse Partnership (SDAP) is a group of independent charities who work together across the whole of Surrey to ensure that survivors of domestic abuse (DA) are safe, and to build a future where DA is not tolerated. The service is open to anyone affected by domestic abuse regardless of age, gender, sexuality, religion, mental and physical health. They offer a free, confidential, non-judgemental, impartial, and independent service; in which service users are believed, listened to and supported both emotionally and practically. They can provide advice on a wide range of issues including housing, benefits, safety planning and the needs of children affected by domestic abuse, which ensure survivors have the information and advice they need to make informed choices. Domestic Abuse (DA) outreach refers to specialist DA services that include any intervention or service that supports survivors of domestic abuse (children and adults) at any point in a survivor’s journey, from early experiences thorough to crisis. This includes: Community Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVA); advocacy; 1:1 work with children and adults; out of core hours support through various channels. Anyone can access DA services if they are experiencing or have experienced DA and live in Surrey – this also includes anyone being supported in DA safe accommodation services in Surrey. Existing DA Outreach services in Surrey are jointly commissioned by Surrey Police, The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for Surrey and Surrey County Council (SCC). Domestic abuse is defined by the UK government: ‘Behaviour of a person (“A”) towards another person (“B”) is “domestic abuse” if A & B are each aged 16 or over and are personally connected to each other, and the behaviour is abusive. Behaviour is “abusive” if it consists of any of the following: physical or sexual abuse; violent or threatening behaviour; controlling or coercive behaviour; economic abuse; psychological, emotional, or other abuse’. As well as co commissioning the core DA service provision with Surrey, the OPCC also commission the following roles and services within SDAP: VAWG Prevention Workers – This service supports with the Preventing VAWG and Supporting children project funded by the Home Office until March 2025, as part of this project SDAP have recruited 4 x VAWG workers. Surrey Steps to Change -SDAP works alongside other expert services to support the Home Office funded DA Perpetrator Program called Surrey Steps to Change. Steps to Change includes a central hub which co-ordinates a trauma informed and multiagency approach to end abusive behaviour. This program funds the SDAP hub navigators within this hub model. As part of this program SDAP have been influential in creating a bespoke intervention for victims of DA who have used Retaliatory violence. SDAP DA Police advocates – Three DA Specialist work across Surrey alongside officers in the Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPT) and Domestic Abuse Teams (DAT) to provide an enhanced level of support to survivors of domestic abuse, whilst supporting the professional development of officers and staff. Additional MOJ Funded posts: Disabled Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) – provides specialist support for disabled survivors of DA. Hospital IDVA – providing specialist support to survivors of DA in Royal Surrey Hospital. They can provide training to hospital staff to increase their confidence in asking patients about DA. Counselling Service – To expand East Surrey Domestic Abuse Service’s (ESDAS) existing group work and counselling service for both adult and child survivors of domestic abuse. Waiting time for these services are high due to the impact of survivors bring locked in with their abusers and a lack of appropriate trauma informed services elsewhere. Young Persons Independent Domestic Violence Advisor’s (IDVA) A pilot in 2021 demonstrated the need for a young person’s IDVA due to growing concerns about coercive control, sexual and physical abuse young survivors, in particular women, were experiencing. This pilot has reaffirmed the need for this service to engage with young people (aged 16-24) differently, by using language they can relate to and to raise awareness of healthy relationships at the earliest opportunity. Utilising the MOJ fund the OPCC funds 4 x 0.65 FTE child and young person IDVA’s to be deployed across Surrey’s four DA Outreach Providers LGBT+ Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) –To provide specialist support for LGBT+ Victims of domestic abuse. Core Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) Provision To provide an IDVA capacity uplift of 4 x 1FTE to be deployed across Surreys four Outreach providers. Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) Service Managers To provide additional manager capacity to oversee increased workload. To fund 4 x 0.65 FTE service managers to be deployed across Surrey’s four DA Outreach Providers. Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee Services (BAMER) IDVA To provide specialist support to BAME victims of domestic abuse. Stalking Advocate –A Stalking Advocate is embedded in East Surrey Domestic Abuse Service (ESDAS) to support victims of intimate stalking only. Rural IDVA – To provide specialist support to rural communities and farming areas in the county. These communities are often isolated geographically and with technology. The risks associated with DA victims within the farming community are more unique with heavy machinery, firearms and chemicals all present. DA Helpline – The OPCC has awarded funding to extend SDAP’s specialist DA helpline. |
| EIA start date | 18/03/2024 |
| EIA author and role | Louise Andrews |
| EIA owner and role | Lucy Thomas – Policy & Commissioning Lead for Victim Services |
| Date of last review | N/A – published on 15th January 2025 |
| Date of next review | 15th January 2026 |
Key product development dates
To evidence PSED compliance, equality and inclusion must be considered throughout the life cycle of a product. You can do this by integrating EIA reviews into key product development stages. List your product’s key stages and the dates you will review your EIA here.
| Key stage | Date |
| Victims Fund 24/25 – funding from MOJ | April 2025 and October 2025 |
| Home Office funding 24/25 – Prevention VAWG and Supporting Children project. | April 2025 |
| Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Fund 23/24 & 24/25 | April 2025 |
Research and evidence
To undertake effective equality assessment that meets PSED compliance standards, you must work from an evidence base. Use this section to list the research you will use to understand the product’s potential or actual equality impacts (for example, surveys, customer feedback, protected characteristic data, academic research).
- The latest Surrey census information: https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census_2021/report?compare=E10000030
- SDAP MOJ reports – includes details around those who access this service and their protected characteristics.
- SDAP obtain customer feedback from young people using their service as well as their parent & carer during engagement and prior to closing.
- Home Office reports for the Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programme – Surrey Steps to Change
- Home office reports for the Preventing VAWG and Supporting Children project.
- Feedback from the PVSC project – Surrey Healthy Schools PSHE training
- Surrey Police Domestic Abuse force data.
- Surrey DA Needs assessment The DA Needs Assessment (completed June 2023)
- Recommission of Domestic Abuse Outreach Services – SDAP Equality Impact Assessment 2023.
- SafeLives website – https://safelives.org.uk/resources-for-professionals/spotlights/spotlight-honour-based-violence-and-forced-marriage/
- Disability and crime, UK – Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)
Consultation record
Stakeholder consultation will give you a better understanding of your product’s impacts and is crucial to satisfying the PSED requirements. Use this section to record the engagement you have undertaken, summarise the feedback received and note subsequent actions. This section can also be used to record nil returns.
| Name of group or organisation | Date of contact | Date reply received | Feedback | Action taken or reason why no action was taken |
| Victim and Witness Care Unit (VWCU) | 22/07/2024 | 09/08/2024 | The VWCU have a good relationship with the individual Outreach Teams, and they contact them for guidance and confirmation of any referrals and if support is open or not for individual cases. Joint working with Caseworkers on specific cases and tapping into specialist knowledge and guidance as required for individual cases. Outreach have provided input session to the VWCU in the past and they have a good working relationship with the individual teams across the County. | No further action taken due to positive feedback. The services are working well together. |
| Raven Housing Association | June 2024 | 22nd July 2024 | Excellent support service. To ensure that collectively we are offering the best service possible to our customers who experience DA, ESDAS have helped us write ourDA Policy – putting customers at the heart of what we do. ESDAS have been open, honest & flexible when working with us & the support they provide to our customers ensures that they can continue to live safe & secure in their homes. | |
| Surrey Police | June 2024 | 22nd July 2024 | I find it really helpful working alongside ESDAS. We are able to easily share information, knowledge ideas and this helps to provide a great support system to our victim survivors. | |
| HhHHHousing options officer at Mole Valley. | Sep 2024 | 05/09/2024 | The outreach worker has been supporting one of our clients for a period of time now. Not only has the outreach worker worked with the client to keep them safe going forward but also to convince them to obtain a Non-Molestation Order against her ex-partner The outreach worker has now just done some fantastic work in helping this client to access a Refuge at short notice but with additional support on top of this. The outreach worker has helped the client find and be accepted for a refuge. The outreach worker then found funds to arrange transport for them via a taxi and train. The outreach worker has ensured both the client and her Four children have provisions for the long journey and arranged for the refuge to collect them from the station platform with help for their bags. I feel this is Stirling work by the outreach worker in her ESDAS role and worthy of a mention. |
General considerations
Use this section to note any general diversity, equality and inclusion activities or considerations that are relevant to the product. Please only document general considerations here. Protected characteristic analysis can be completed in the section below.
Domestic abuse is defined by the UK government: ‘Behaviour of a person (“A”) towards another person (“B”) is “domestic abuse” if A & B are each aged 16 or over and are personally connected to each other, and the behaviour is abusive. Behaviour is “abusive” if it consists of any of the following: physical or sexual abuse; violent or threatening behaviour; controlling or coercive behaviour; economic abuse; psychological, emotional, or other abuse’.
Impact assessment and actions
Apply learning from research, consultation and project knowledge to consider equality considerations relevant to your project. This should include any potential or actual impacts (positive or negative), as well as how the project will uphold the three PSED aims for each of the protected characteristics.
- Eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimization.
- Advance equal opportunity.
- Foster good relations between people of different characteristics.
If you have identified a negative impact, note what mitigating action will be taken to reduce or eliminate that impact. If no mitigating action can be taken, please explain why. The issues or impacts identified may change, or new factors may emerge, as your project develops. Use the EIA to document these and how your project has evolved to accommodate equality considerations.
Don’t forget to consider intersectionality. This refers to when characteristics overlap to shape experiences of inequality and discrimination. For further information, please refer to the ‘Addressing Intersectionality within Policing’ report.
Duplicate the boxes below if required. If you need further information about a protected characteristic, open the webpage linked to each subtitle.
All characteristics
| Details of positive and/or adverse impact or other issue |
| Mitigating action for any adverse impact or rationale for no further action |
Age
| Details of positive and/or adverse impact or other issue |
| This service supports adult and child victims of DA (SDAP also provides safe accommodation for victims of DA and their children via Surrey County Councils safe accommodation fund). According toSurrey census information 29.2% of the Surrey population are under the age of 25. 11.3% were aged between 25 -34 years old, 20.8% aged between 35-49, 20 % aged between 50-64, 9.6% aged between 65-74 and 3% aged 85 or older. MOJ data from FY 23/24 shows that SDAP supported 3,624 victims of DA. Out of these victims; 54 were aged 12 years and under, 60 were 13-17 years old, 1008 were 18-34 years old, 1454 were 35 – 54 years old, 278 were 55-74 years old and 49 were 75 years and older. 721 victims didn’t state their age. The above data shows that the most represented age group in referrals were those 35-54 which is reflective of Surrey’s population data. Of the victims supported through the Home Office funded Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Hub (Surrey Steps to Change) 223/24 30% were aged between 35-39, 20% aged between 30-34 and 30% aged between 40-54, 20% of the ages were unknown. Through the Preventing VAWG and Supporting Children Home Office 2023/24 Project this service has supported victims aged 9-19 with the majority aged between 9-11 years old. Through MOJ funding this service has been able to recruit 4 x 0.65 FTE child and young person IDVA’s to be deployed across Surrey’s four DA Outreach Providers Young Persons Independent Domestic Violence Advisor’s (IDVA). A pilot in 2021 demonstrated the need for a young person’s IDVA due to growing concerns about coercive control, sexual and physical abuse young survivors, in particular women, were experiencing. This pilot has reaffirmed the need for this service to engage with young people (aged 16-24) differently, by using language they can relate to and to raise awareness of healthy relationships at the earliest opportunity. The SDAP EIA (2023) shows that between April 2021 and September 2022, 7,229 individuals were referred to DA Outreach services. Of the 7,229 individuals referred, 349 children were supported by DA Outreach services, even though this service primarily works with adult survivors. The above data shows that the most represented age group in referrals were those 25-34 years old who are overrepresented compared to Surrey’s population. Furthermore, older age groups were underrepresented in accessing this service as were children and adolescents (SDAP EIA 2023). Surrey’s population is growing older demonstrating a need to ensure that the DA Outreach services are set up to support older people and their specific needs. The growth in adolescents could also increase the need for DA support for this cohort who are experiencing early intimate relationships for the first time. The largest age groups in Surrey are those aged between 40- 60; therefore, it is likely that a larger number of people from this age group would be requiring support from DA Outreach services (DA Outreach EIA, 2023). The DA Outreach specification includes the requirement for all staff to be trained on supporting survivors across all age ranges, particularly adolescents and older people. Interviews with DA survivors identified several barriers to accessing services specifically for older survivors. This could explain why older age groups are underrepresented in those accessing the DA Outreach service. These barriers were: The abusive behaviours not being recognised as abuse by the survivor, family, friends, or professionals, Complexity of abuse where it is intergenerational or child on parent abuse, reliance on perpetrator for care, lack of digital confidence, leaving their own home often not seen as an option, as they may own it and have lived there for a long time, not having capacity or having fluctuating capacity and not wanting to move into communal living such as refuge. This learning highlights the need to review how information is communicated to older survivors to ensure it is available and accessible in ways that are not reliant on the use of a computer or smartphone. (DA EIA 2023). |
| Mitigating action for any adverse impact or rationale for no further action |
| Surrey OPCC commission Hourglass which supports elder victims of DA and therefore can try to address some of barriers to elder victims of DA reporting as mentioned above. There is a requirement that SDAP’s referral routes are open to survivors which are not reliant on having a computer or smartphone which could deter older people from self-referring for support (SDAP EIA 2023). As part of the Home office Preventing VAWG and Supporting children project from 2023 to 2025 SDAP have recruited 4 x SDAP VAWG prevention officers. This has helped this service to proactively reach the children and adolescents that are currently underrepresented in accessing this service. The OPCC has also commissioned Young people’s IDVA’s due to recognising the need to engage with this age group. Following the re commissioning of SDAP in 2023 additional data reporting requirements required by SDAP will improve understanding of how well different age groups access and engage with support. This data will help services to develop communication plans to ensure survivors of all ages are communicated with and supported in the best way for them. The above shows that this service is working hard to ensure that victims of all age are able to access their service. |
Disability or neurodiversity
| Details of positive and/or adverse impact or other issue |
| According toSurrey census information of all the usual residents, those that are disabled under the equality act equate to 13.8 % of the population and 7.4 % have a long term physical or mental health condition (A usual resident is anyone who on Census Day, 21 March 2021, was in the UK and had stayed or intended to stay in the UK for a period of 12 months or more or had a permanent UK address and was outside the UK and intended to be outside the UK for less than 12 months). MOJ data from FY 23/24 shows that SDAP supported 514 victims that had a disability, 895 didn’t have a disability, 2215 of the victims supported didn’t state whether they had a disability. Of the victims supported through the Home Office funded Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Hub (Surrey Steps to Change) 40% had a mental health impairment and 10% had a physical disability. Through the Preventing VAWG and Supporting Children Home Office 2023/24 Project this service has supported 11.11% of victims with a mental health impairment and 22.2% of victims with a learning difficulty. Through MOJ funding this service has a Disabled Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) who provides specialist support for disabled survivors of DA. DA Outreach data from between April 2021 and September 2022 shows that 7229 individuals were referred to the Outreach services. This has been broken down by the different type of disability in the table below. Disability or long-term condition % of survivors who disclosed this disability Mental Health 8% Physical Disability 5% Long Term Conditions 2% Learning Disability 2% Vision Disability <1% Hearing Disability <1% This data shows that 18% of survivors referred in this period had a disability and 2% had a long-term condition which they did not consider a disability. This data does show that the percentage of those accessing the service with a disability is marginally higher than the general population of Surrey. Disabled women were more than twice as likely to experience domestic abuse than non-disabled women, and almost twice as likely than disabled men (Disability and crime, UK – Office for National Statistics). Interviews with practitioners who work with those with disabilities identified barriers to reporting DA that demonstrate the need for providers to consider the physical access to all venues, as well as adopting a range of communication methods to ensure accessibility, including recognising the specific needs of survivors who are neurodivergent. Children and young people with additional needs (including disabilities) make up a significant proportion of those accessing SCC Early Help. Between January 2022 and December 2022, 11% (444 out of 4,197) children and young people with a disability were supported by Family Centres or the Family Support Programme. Anecdotally, in quarterly and annual performance conversations providers have highlighted that the main disabilities young people present with are learning disabilities, Autism, and poor mental health. Therefore children, young people and families will benefit from the co-location of services. The most prevalent recorded form of disability among current DA Outreach service users was a mental health disability which demonstrates the need for the providers to enhance their partnership working with mental health services. The DA Outreach specification includes requirements on ensuring communications, especially online documents, and websites, meet high accessibility standards, including full screen reader accessibility and appropriate colour contrast. Additional data reporting requirements will improve understanding of how well different groups access and engage with support. This data will inform the development of communication plans to ensure all survivors, including those with disabilities, are effectively communicated with and supported in the best way for them. Enhancing Surrey Against Domestic Abuse branding and developing a practice standard that will be shared by DA services to provide consistency and ensure that Surrey residents can easily identify safe spaces to access support. (SDAP EIA, 2023) |
| Mitigating action for any adverse impact or rationale for no further action |
| This service has identified what they need to do to ensure that those with disabilities are able to access their service and they are aware of their need to work closely with mental health services. Through the recommissioning process of this service SDAP, the DA Outreach specification will include data collection requirements around outcomes at closure which can be broken down by different protected groups including disability. Data can then be reviewed to see if those with a disability are more likely to decline the service, disengage, or reach a successful outcome. This data will identify if there are groups who did not achieve a positive outcome from the intervention and help inform continuous improvement of services. |
Gender reassignment
| Details of positive and/or adverse impact or other issue |
| According toSurrey census information of all usual residents aged 16 and over, 94.4 % of people identified as having the same gender identity as their sex registered at birth. 0.4% either identified as the different sex that they were registered at birth, as a trans women, trans man, or non-binary. 5.2% didn’t answer this question. MOJ data from FY 23/24 shows that SDAP supported 0.08% of victims identified as non-binary, 167 victims did not provide their gender identity. Surrey Police data for 23/24 shows that 0.07% of victims identified as trans or non-binary. Through the Preventing VAWG and Supporting Children Home Office 2023/24 Project 0% of the victims that this service supported identified as transgender or non-binary. Currently, DA Outreach providers collect information on gender and gender reassignment including the reporting of non-binary, trans, other, male, and female as gender options. Between April 2021 and September 2022, 7229 individuals were referred to the DA Outreach service and none selected Trans as their gender, and less than 1% choose either Non-Binary or Other. SDAP believe that this is unlikely to accurately demonstrate the number of people whose gender identity was different to their sex as registered at birth. This is because Trans men and women could answer the question by choosing the gender they identify as e.g., male or female, instead of choosing the trans option which is not a specific gender but a term which denotes that the individuals gender identity is different to their sex registered at birth. This service will try and address this gap through changes to how gender and gender reassignment data is collected. Interviews with practitioners who work with those who identify as trans and non-binary found a number of barriers that can prevent people from seeking help but acknowledge these barriers will vary depending on the individual. Some barriers include: The perception that refuge is only for ciswomen, few established networks or communities for sharing information for those who do not identify with the sex they were registered at birth who are experiencing DA (Or these networks are not well known by professionals)Fear of being “outed”, and that this could result in discriminationLack of specialist outreach workers for those who do not identify with the sex they were registered at birth, Assumptions are often made around genderLower levels of trust in the police, Legal definition of rape excludes female on female, Trans people face high levels of hate crimeTrans people might not to trust professionals due to prevalence of transphobia which is inflamed by current public discourse. This demonstrates a need for DA Outreach services to be accessible to all genders. Furthermore, staff need to have appropriate training to understand and appropriately respond to the needs of trans and non-binary survivors. Steps should be taken to proactively engage with these communities, to show support services are inclusive and challenge the perceptions that they are just for ciswomen. This is especially important in the context of the prevalence of transphobia and ongoing political conversation about single sex spaces which, can result in trans people feeling less able to ask for help or access services. The DA Outreach specification includes requirements around training DA staff on identifying and responding appropriately when working with those whose gender identity is different to their sex as registered at birth. This service is looking into how their communications and existing networks are used to actively engage with seldom heard groups including those who’s gender identity is different to their sex as registered at birth, to ensure that these communities are aware of the support available. This will also create opportunities to work with these groups to develop our understanding of how we can make services easier for them to access. This service has an LGBT+ Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) who provides specialist support for LGBT+ Victims of domestic abuse. |
| Mitigating action for any adverse impact or rationale for no further action |
| The above shows that SDAP is aware of the barriers to victims who are transgender or non-binary being able to access support and they are proactively looking at ways to ensure that all victims feel able to access their service. |
Marriage and civil partnership
| Details of positive and/or adverse impact or other issue |
| According toSurrey census information of the residents aged 16 and over 50.6 % were married or registered in a civil partnership. Of the victims supported through the Home Office funded Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Hub (Surrey Steps to Change) 60% were married or in a civil partnership. 20% were cohabiting and 20% were separated. The Surrey DA Needs Assessment notes that one of the factors hindering survivors from accessing DA services is if they are in a forced marriage or relationship and unable to leave. One of the types of abuse individuals experience is forced marriage. Forced marriages are more common in specific minority groups. The importance of gathering data and learning more about the cultural practices of individuals from these groups will help with tackling issues around forced marriage. Additionally, the emphasis on continuous improvement of services will ensure that providers develop a strategy to be able to identify patterns or signs of a forced marriage. People at risk of ‘honour’-based violence (HBV) and forced marriage experience domestic abuse for longer, on average, than those not at risk. They are also more likely to experience harm from multiple perpetrators (SafeLives website). According to outreach services, 160 individuals accepted into casework between April 2021 and September 2022 experienced forced marriage. The same source also outlines that 371 out of 4648 perpetrators were married to the survivor. While 1268 were intimate partners and 2441 were former intimate partners. However, marital status may have changed as a result of the abuse experienced. Married individuals or ones in a civil partnership are already less likely to experience DA than individuals that are single, divorced or separated (SDAP EIA 2023) However, this does not mean that people that are married or in civil partnerships will not benefit from DA services. This service is working to reach victims of DA within marriages/civil partnerships where it may be harder to seek help. SDAP work alongside statutory services, and voluntary services, that come into contact with individuals experiencing DA and raise awareness to enable early identification and intervention for married or civil partnership survivors. |
| Mitigating action for any adverse impact or rationale for no further action |
| The above shows that this service is being proactive in ensuring that everyone is able to access their service. It would be beneficial to review what this service is doing to ensure that they engage with communities that are at higher risk of forced marriage. |
Pregnancy and maternity
| Details of positive and/or adverse impact or other issue |
| The office for national statistics shows that in Surrey between 2013 to 2020 there were 15,070 conceptions within Surrey (all ages), 174 were aged under 18 year old. In 2020 there were 11,880 live births within Surrey and in 2020 there were 7,596 births within marriage or civil partnership Statistics about births and conceptions: parental characteristics, home births and birthweight | Surrey-i (surreyi.gov.uk). The 2021 census provides data on the age of individuals in households in 5-year age cohorts such as 0-4, 5-10. This cannot be used to determine the number of pregnant people or persons in the maternity period in Surrey, however it is possible to see the birth rate trends which in turn indicates the number of people with this protected characteristic. Of the victims supported through the Home Office funded Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Hub (Surrey Steps to Change) 40% had an additional need of children and parenting and 10% reported pregnancy. Through the Preventing VAWG and Supporting Children Home Office 2023/24 Project this service didn’t support young people up to the age of 19 who were pregnant or had an additional need of children of parenting. In Surrey there has been an 8% decrease in 0–4-year-olds since 2011. However, those aged 5-9 have increased by 12.5% since 2011 which suggests this decrease in the 0-4 years took place four years before the 2021 census. There were 11,880 births in Surrey in 2020 (8% decrease from 2017), with the highest number being born to women aged 30-34. This age range mirrored the group with the highest referral rate into the current DA Outreach IDVA service between April 2021 and September 2022 (25-34, 28%), with 22 women disclosing they were pregnant. Between October 2021 and September 2022, 127 referrals were received by the Health IDVA from the maternity unit, with 66 pregnant women engaging with support. Extensive research tells us that there is an increased risk of DA when a woman is pregnant, with Safelives reporting nearly one in three women who suffered DA during their lifetime reporting that the first incidence of violence happened while they were pregnant. It is therefore critical that services who meet with expectant mothers are aware of this and ask the right questions to enable early identification and intervention. The recommissioning of SDAP includes new requirements to co-work with statutory services and utilise buildings such as Family Centres to ensure that there are safe spaces for survivors to access support. This will benefit survivors who are working with Early Help by making it easier to access both services in the same place. This will also create opportunities to share learning and skill sets between the two services which should improve Early Help services awareness of DA and ensure they play an active part in safety planning. Additional data reporting requirements will improve their understanding of how well different groups, including new and expectant mothers, access and engage with support. This will help SDAP to continue to develop communication plans to ensure all survivors are communicated with and supported in the best way for them. SDAP will work alongside statutory services, including Health, Early Help and voluntary services, that come into contact with expectant mothers to raise aware of the increased risk of DA and ensure the right questions are asked to enable early identification and intervention. Through MOJ funding this service has a Hospital IDVA who provides specialist support to survivors of DA in Royal Surrey Hospital. They can provide training to hospital staff to increase their confidence in asking patients about DA. |
| Mitigating action for any adverse impact or rationale for no further action |
| The above shows that this service is being proactive in ensuring that everyone is able to access their service. It will be interesting to see what effect of this service working more closely with Early Help will have on referrals. |
Ethnicity
| Details of positive and/or adverse impact or other issue |
| According to Surrey 2021 census ethnicity data 85.5% of people identified as white, 7.7% as Asian, 1.7 % as black, 3.4% as mixed or multiple ethnic groups and 1.7% as other ethnic group. 91.2 % of all the adults in household have English or Welsh as a main language. 4.2 % had at least one but not all adults in household who have English or Welsh as a main language. 1.1% had no adults in household, but at least one person aged 3 to 15 years who had English or Welsh as a main language. 3.5% had no people in their household that had English or Welsh as a main language. Census data was also collected on the languages that residents spoke. 93.1% of residents aged 3 and over reported English as their main language. The next most common main languages were Polish, Romanian, Portuguese, and Spanish. 0.8% of residents aged 3 and over could not speak English well or at all. 3.5% of Households (17,050 households) did not have a resident whose main language was English. MOJ data from FY 23/24 shows that SDAP supported 1670 victims that were white, 89 were from mixed/multiple ethnic groups, 193 were Asian/Asian British, 74 were Black/African, Caribbean/Black British, 116 described themselves as from another ethnic group, 1482 didn’t provide their ethnicity. Surrey Police data from 23/24 shows the 60.25% of DA victims identified as White British, with 15.16% of victim’s ethnicity either not recorded or not stated. Of the victims supported through the Home Office funded Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Hub (Surrey Steps to Change) 70% identified as White: English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British, 10% identified as any other ethnic group and 20% preferred not to say or ethnicity was unknown. 100% of the victims did not require an interpreter. Through the Preventing VAWG and Supporting Children Home Office 2023/24 Project this service has supported 88.8% of victims who identified as White: English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British and 11.11% f victims who identified as any other Asian background. 0% of the victims required an interpreter. In 2023, 67,337 applications for asylum were made in the UK, which related to 84,425 individuals (more than one applicant can be included in a single application).Data from the end of June 2022 shows that asylum seekers and refugees made up approximately 18% of immigrants to the UK. The number of Ukrainian refugees who arrived in the UK in 2022 was equivalent to the number of people granted refuge in the UK from all origins, in total, between 2014 and 2021 (House of Commons Library Asylum applications). The number of refugees entering Surrey is higher than ever before. It is therefore important to consider the type of support required to help this group. Some immigrants in the UK are subjected to a status known as No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF), this prevents them from accessing public funds. This has an impact on survivors from migrant backgrounds that are living with abuse or violence as they are forced to choose between staying with the perpetrator or facing poverty and homelessness. The focus on ensuring that the SDAP being accessible to all, based on necessity, will help ensure that even survivors who have NRPF are still supported by providers and partners. SDAP have supported 83 victims who have NRPF in the financial year 23/24. SDAP Outreach data shows that between April 2021 and September 2022, 7229 individuals were referred to the Outreach Service, and for 29%, their ethnicity was recorded as unknown. If unknown records are removed for the data source, 88% of those referred indicated their ethnicity was White, 6% Asian or British Asia, 3% Black or Black British, 2% Mixed, and 1% other ethnicities. White and Black or Black British ethnicities were both overrepresented when compared to the 2021 census results while Mixed and Asian or British Asian were both underrepresented. It is not known how many survivors were from Gypsy, Roma and Travelling communities which is a key data gap as it is known that mainstream provision is often not accessible to these groups, so a better understanding of these communities and how to make services accessible to them is a key area of work. SDAP’s interviews with survivors and practitioners who work with those from seldom heard minoritised communities identified barriers that can prevent people seeking help, acknowledging these will vary depending on the individuals ethnic or national identity. Interviews were also carried out specifically with those working with members of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. It should be noted that there are a large variety of different cultures within this broad category and as such, these barriers will not apply to all. Some of the barriers included; pressures to stay in the relationship, survivors do not feel able to speak out within their community, those in forced marriages or those stuck in relationships they cannot leave, Immigration status can be a barrier to accessing support, communication / language barrier, not seeing themselves or their community represented within services (SDAP EIA). Practitioners who work with the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, noted the following barriers faced by survivors within these communities: Strong faith can make it hard to leave a perpetrator that they are married to, refuge can present a significant change in lifestyle which can be daunting, Low levels of literacy can make it hard to access information about services, lack of trust in professionals outside of their community, the prevalence of discrimination, fear of backlash from the community, fear of loss of contact with children. Through the recommissioning of this service additional data reporting requirements will improve our understanding of how well different groups access and engage with support. This will help this service to continue to develop communication plans to ensure all survivors are effectively communicated with and supported in the best way for them. This will help SDAP to proactively respond to gaps / concerns highlighted through data and client / referrer feedback. The recommissioning will explore the inclusion of specialist by and for services for minoritised groups within the DA Outreach specification. This will ensure a wider range of survivors see themselves represented in the service. The DA Outreach specification to require providers work closely with local BAME communities to help raise awareness, understand specific barriers/needs/strengths and sensitively support the early identification and access to support. This will also create opportunities to work with these groups to develop our understanding of how we can make services easier for them to access. The specification includes the requirement for all staff to be trained on supporting survivors from seldom heard groups, including Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities and refugees. SDAP work closely with BAME specialists to ensure support is offered to survivors who may feel more comfortable seeking advice and guidance from someone within their community. They have access to translation services to ensure survivors who cannot speak English well or at all can access support. This includes refugee survivors from any background. The following positive feedback was provided to SDAP in relation to a female victim of DA who was British Asian. ‘I was made homeless by my family last month and reached out to my local authority. They were neglectful and offered me zero support. After reaching out I was referred to ESDAS and Reigate and Banstead Borough Council. The contrast between the two councils was stark. Every single member of staff I spoke to were patient and polite. I would especially like to take the time to thank my outreach worker she was amazing. She referred me to a women’s refuge, and in the days leading up to finding me suitable accommodation, she ensured I had a safe place to sleep. This is something the other council failed to do. They were happy for me to continue to sleep in my car. I have had such a positive experience with Reigate Council and ESDAS, specifically my outreach worker.’ This service has a Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee Services (BAMER) IDVA to provide specialist support to BAME victims of domestic abuse. |
| Mitigating action for any adverse impact or rationale for no further action |
| The above shows that this service is being proactive in ensuring that everyone no matter their ethnicity can access their service. |
Religion or belief
| Details of positive and/or adverse impact or other issue |
| According to Surrey census data 50.1% identified as being Christian, 36.6% had no religion, 3.2% identified as Muslim, 2% as Hindu, 0.6% as Buddist, 0.6% as Sikh, 0.3% as Jewish and 0.5% as other religion. Of the victims supported through the Home Office funded Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Hub (Surrey Steps to Change) 10% identified as Christian, 30% had no religion and 60% ither preferred not to say or religion was unknown. Through the Preventing VAWG and Supporting Children Home Office 2023/24 Project this service has supported 66.66% of victims who had no religion, 11.11% identified as being Christian, 11.11% as Muslim and 11.11% of the victim’s religion was unknown. The breakdown of the Surrey population by religion changed considerably for certain groups between 2011 and 2021. Christianity was the only religion which experienced a reduction between the 2011 and 2021 Censuses. While still the most common religion in Surrey, the proportion of Surrey residents reporting as Christian declined from 62.8 per cent (711,110) in 2011 to 50.2 per cent (603,072) in 2021, representing a reduction of 15 per cent in ten years. The reduction in the reports of Christianity was mainly due to more residents reporting ‘no religion’ in the most recent Census alongside much smaller increases in certain non-Christian religions. The population reporting ‘no religion’ rose from 24.8 per cent (280,814) in 2011 to 36.3 per cent (440,069) in 2021, representing a growth of 57 per cent in ten years. This trend of growing ‘no religion’ alongside reductions in residents self-reporting as Christian was also captured between the 2001 and 2011 Censuses and is therefore a long-term shift. A full breakdown of this data including by District and Borough area is available from Surrey- I (Religion from the 2021 Census) A high proportion of survivors supported by SDAP were either not asked or a religious belief was not known, with 27% of referrals providing data on their religion. Aligning with the 2021 Census data, Christianity was the most common religion with other religions accounting for less than 1%. However, the significant data gap makes it difficult to draw any conclusions about the needs of different religious groups in Surrey or the reach of current provision into those communities. An individual’s religion can have a large impact on what they consider to be a healthy relationship, who they would turn to for support, where they feel comfortable accessing that support, and can inform the strategies their perpetrator chooses to use to control them. This highlights the need for providers to ensure all demographic data, including religious beliefs, are recorded so gaps can be identified, and actions taken to address these. As a result of the recommissioning of this service additional data reporting requirements will improve their understanding of how well different groups access and engage with support. This will help them continue to develop communication plans to ensure all survivors are effectively communicated with and supported in the best way for them. This will include more specific categories around religion. The DA Outreach specification requires SDAP to work closely with local communities and leaders to help raise awareness, understand specific barriers/needs/strengths and sensitively support the early identification and access to support. This will also create opportunities to work with these groups to develop our understanding of how they can make services easier for them to access. SDAP are required to acknowledge and understand how ethnicity, culture, and religion will affect survivors experience of abuse and as result should inform the way they are offered support. |
| Mitigating action for any adverse impact or rationale for no further action |
| The above shows that this service is being proactive in ensuring that everyone no matter their religion is able to access their service. |
Sex
| Details of positive and/or adverse impact or other issue |
| According to Surrey census information 51.2% of all usual residents were female and 48.8% were male. According to SDAP’s EIA 2023, 51.3% of Surrey’s population were female which is slightly above the national average for England of 51%. Tandridge had the highest proportion of females with 51.8% and Woking had the lowest with 50.3%. Of the victims supported through the Home Office funded Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Hub (Surrey Steps to Change) 90% were female and 10% were male. Through the Preventing VAWG and Supporting Children Home Office 2023/24 Project this service has supported 55.55% of victims identified as male and 44.44% of victims who were female (the age of these victims were between 9-19. Between April 2021 and September 2022, 7229 individuals were referred to SDAP, of which 89% were female, 9% male and for 2% their sex was unknown. Wasn’t asked, non-binary and other each accounted for less than 1% of the responses. The national data with the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) estimated that 1.7 million women (71%) and 699,000 men (29%) were victims of domestic abuse in the year ending March 2022. Multi-agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) data collected by SafeLives showed that only 6.2% of survivors discussed at MARAC were male. Surrey Police data 23/24 shows that 70.3% of victims were female and 27% were male. 19.3% of the female victims were aged between 30-39 and 15.4% were female aged between 20-29 (this reflects the findings from the CSEW). Due to the nature of DA as an underreported crime, it is expected that all data sets will underreport the amount of DA which makes it impossible to precisely determine the actual proportion of females that are survivors compared to males. It is, however, clear that females are significantly more likely to be survivors of DA than males. SDAP carried out interviews with survivors and practitioners which identified several barriers that males may face when accessing DA services: Cultural expectations of masculinity can create additional stigma for male survivors, communication can make men feel excluded, fear of loss of contact with children, sexual abuse of men can be hard to identify and hard to discuss, if they have a female partner who is being supported by specialist DA services, those services will often turn away the male, lack of recognition of DA committed by females or wider family, a perception that DA services are not for men, lack of refuge provision for men. This shows that there is a need to adapt communications, websites and other materials to ensure that they do not exclude male survivors, this could include some targeted communications at male survivors. It also shows the need for those working with residents directly to be aware that while females are more likely to be victims of DA, it can affect anyone regardless of their sex. It also shows the need for practitioners to have confidence to talk to men about DA and to challenge traditional ideas of masculinity which can be barrier for men to access support. Through the recommissioning of this service, additional data reporting requirements will improve our understanding of how well different groups access and engage with support. This will help us continue to develop communication plans to ensure all survivors are effectively communicated with and supported in the best way for them. The ‘Refuge For All’ programme has helped in uncovering important information relating to the anxiety and depression male survivors of DA experience. Male survivors are more likely to experience a high-level of mental health issues because of DA. They also seem cautious of services because of the lack of resources that have been designed for these groups. However, in SDAP’s model this gap will be addressed, and active efforts will be made to engage male survivors. The positive impact will be improved relationship and confidence with services. This should result in a higher engagement rate which is essential to ensure survivors receive all the help they need. The refreshed Domestic Abuse Strategy Action Plan should consider how communications and existing networks are used to actively engage with different groups including men, women, and those who are non-binary, to ensure that these communities are aware of the support available. This will also create opportunities to work with these groups to develop our understanding of how we can make services easier for them to access. The DA Outreach specification includes the requirement for all staff to be trained on supporting male survivors. SDAP are required to work closely with Male Outreach services to ensure support is offered to male survivors who might feel more comfortable seeking advice and guidance from another male. |
| Mitigating action for any adverse impact or rationale for no further action |
| The above shows that this service is aware of the barriers that male victims of DA have in relation to accessing their service and are looking at ways to improve access. SDAP’s referral figures between April 2021 and September 2022 show that 9% of the survivors accessing their service were male which is lower than the CSEW estimates (29%) and the Surrey Police reporting figures (27%). DA is a gendered crime as accredited by Women’s Aid (womensaid.org.uk), ‘Domestic abuse is a gendered crime which is deeply rooted in the societal inequality between men and women. It is a form of gender-based violence, violence “directed against a woman because she is a women or that affects disproportionately.” (CEDAW, 1992) and this service is fully aware of this. |
Sexual orientation
| Details of positive and/or adverse impact or other issue |
| According toSurrey census information of all usual residents aged 16 or over 90.7% residents stated that they were straight or heterosexual, 1.2% identified as gay or lesbian, 1.1% as bisexual, 0.1% as pansexual, 0.1% as asexual and 0.1% as all other sexual orientations. 6.9% didn’t answer this question. There is a lower percentage of LGBT+ individuals in Surrey (2.48%) than the England average which was 3.17% (DA Needs Assessment 2023) Through the Preventing VAWG and Supporting Children Home Office 2023/24 Project this service has supported 100% of victims who identified as heterosexual or straight. While nine of the eleven districts and boroughs in Surrey had lower proportions of residents who reported that they identified with an LGB+ orientation than England’s 3.17 per cent, Runnymede and Guildford had higher proportions than the England average at 3.48 per cent and 3.45 per cent respectively. Elmbridge had the lowest proportion of residents who reported that they identified with an LGB+ orientation at 2.03 per cent (SDAP EIA 2023). SDAP’s Outreach data shows that 75% of referrals identified as heterosexual with 23% not answering the question, meaning less than 1% identify as LGB+. Of the victims supported through the Home Office funded Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Hub (Surrey Steps to Change) 90% identified as heterosexual or straight and 10% as bisexual. Interviews with practitioners who work with the LGBTQ+ community found several barriers that can prevent people from seeking help acknowledging these barriers can vary depending on the individual. The barriers reported were: The perception that support services are for straight women, not gay men, women or trans people, Lack of specialist services/workers, Fear of being ‘outed’, Low trust in police, Police may not recognise DA in a same-sex relationship, Feelings of shame prevent seeking help, Female on female rape not seen as a crime. This demonstrates that there is a need for the DA Outreach services to put measures in place to ensure services are inclusive of all sexualities and staff have received appropriate training to understand and respond appropriately to their specific needs. Steps should be taken to proactively engage with these communities to show support services are inclusive and can meet the needs of all survivors. Through the recommissioning of this service in 2023 there are several positive impacts which are expected to be achieved including DA Training specification should acknowledge the need to explore different ways abuse can present and how this may differ where a survivor is LGBTQ+. This is anticipated to increase the identification of DA and improve practitioners’ ability to identify and respond, acknowledging the way abuse looks and the support needed may differ. It is anticipated that this will improve the quality of practitioners work with survivors making it easier for them to engage with services and as a result keep them safer. Additional data reporting requirements will improve SDAP’s understanding of how well different groups access and engage with support. This will help them to continue to develop communication plans to ensure all survivors are effectively communicated with and supported in the best way for them. SDAP works closely with local communities to help raise awareness, understand specific barriers/needs/strengths and sensitively support early identification and access to support. This will also create opportunities to work with these groups to develop their understanding of how they can make services easier for them to access. The DA Outreach specification to include the requirement for all staff to be trained on supporting survivors from seldom heard groups, including LGBTQ+ communities. SDAP will work closely with the LGBTQ+ specialist to ensure support is offered to survivors who may seek advice or guidance from someone within their community. |
| Mitigating action for any adverse impact or rationale for no further action |
| The above shows that this service is aware of the barriers that sexual orientation can have on victims of DA feeling able to access their service and are looking at ways to improve this. |
Socio-economic background
Our socio-economic background is a combination of different factors, such as our income, occupation and social background. A person’s socio-economic background can expose them to inequalities, so it’s important to understand how your project could affect different socio-economic groups. Further information about socio-economic status can be found in the Cabinet Office Measuring socio-economic background in your workforce guidance.
| Details of positive and/or adverse impact or other issue |
| According to Surrey census information 30.8% of households are deprived in one dimension, 9.9% of households are deprived in two dimensions, 2% are deprived in three dimensions and 0.2% in four dimensions. The dimensions of the deprivation are based on four household characteristics including education, employment, health and housing. 2.6% of all the population have bad health and 0.7% very bad health. 1% of the population does not have central heating. 3.2% of households have fewer bedrooms than required.11.4% of all households live in social rented housing through a local council or housing association. 0.8% of all households live in a caravan or other mobile or temporary structure compared with 76.6% who live in a whole house or bungalow. 5.5% of the population aged 16 and over have never worked and are long term unemployed. 12.9% of the population aged 16 and over have no qualifications. Between 9.9% and 14.9% of households in Surrey do not have a car or van – there continues to be a need for flexible domestic abuse service delivery (DA Needs Assessment 2023) Of the victims supported through the Home Office funded Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Hub (Surrey Steps to Change) 10% stated that they had an additional need of drug misuse. SDAP try and place themselves within the community that they support and make sure their leaflets, contact details etc are placed at any place a victim may be accessing. They attend the poverty truth commission, local food banks and food clubs and sit on community partnership meetings and boards for their stakeholders- this helps SDAP to build local connections to ensure services are aware of their service, they also hold regular DA clinics at the Mary Frances Trust and Richmond Fellowship. They regularly look at their data to spot trends such as identifying the increase in those from rural areas and now placing a rural communities IDVA across the partnership. Their rural IDVA provides specialist support to rural communities and farming areas in the county. These communities are often isolated geographically and with technology. The risks associated with DA victims within the farming community are more unique with heavy machinery, firearms and chemicals all present. They try to ensure that they can refer people to the right legal support so have links to a solicitor that offers legal aid and another firm that provides low-cost fixed fee help as well as a high street solicitor. SDAP also have direct pathways into pay plan for debt and budgeting support. They work closely with the Lord lieutenancy, High Sheriff and Judiciary. They accept referrals from local MP’s and they work closely soroptimists and rotary clubs. It is a requirement that SDAP’s outreach workers drive and have access to a vehicle so that they can meet people in the community. They pay expenses for those coming to their group work programmes and they currently have funds to cover the cost of travel to therapy sessions. SDAP currently attend Breakfast Club with Probation once a month in Redhill and they have a worker providing specific work to victims that use retaliatory violence who have been referred via checkpoint or the steps to change hub. |
| Mitigating action for any adverse impact or rationale for no further action |
| This service is working hard to ensure that they can reach all victims of DA no matter their background. |
Other characteristics
Use this section to consider the PSED aims and any impacts your product may have on characteristics that are not protected under the Equality Act 2010 but are still significant to equality and inclusion. For example, your product may have a particular effect on people with caring responsibilities or on people with English as an added language, or you may need to consider the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 in delivery. Think creatively and invite input from stakeholders.
| Details of impact or other issue |
| Mitigating action or rationale for no further action |
Action log
Record EIA actions and monitor action progress in the optional action log.
Age – To explore whether the additional data reporting requirements required by SDAP has improved understanding of how well different age groups access and engage with support.
Disability – To confirm how this service is working more closely with mental health services.
To explore whether the additional data reporting requirements required by SDAP around different protected groups including disability has informed the improvement of services.
Gender Reassignment – To explore the success of the proactive measures this service is working on to ensure all victims regardless of their gender feel able to access their service.
Marriage and Civil Partnership – To review what this service is doing to ensure that they engage with communities that are at higher risk of forced marriage.
Pregnancy and Maternity – To establish the effect of SDAP working more closely with Early Help has on referrals.
Ethnicity – To explore whether the additional data reporting requirements required by SDAP has improved understanding of how well victims of different ethnicities access and engage with support.
Religion or Belief – To explore whether the additional data reporting requirements required by SDAP has improved understanding of how well victims of different religions and beliefs access and engage with support.
Sex – To explore whether the measures that this service have put in place to ensure that males as well as females feel able to access support have been successful.
Sexual Orientation – To explore whether the measures that this service have put in place to ensure that all victims no matter their sexual orientation feel able to access support have been successful.