Life events | What an integrated approach would add |
Julia marries Alan in 1980 and endures many years of domestic violence, including threats to kill. In 2002 Julia informs Alan that she wants a divorce. Alan threatens that if she proceeds he will kill her and commit suicide. The next morning Julia wakes with Alan’s hands around her throat. Over the following two days Julia and her brother repeatedly call the police to report the deaths threats and beg for help. | Policy at the level of Home Office and Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) are often not implemented at local levels. An integrated approach with oversight and mandatory training for police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) could address these gaps more effectively. An integrated multi agency approach would mean that cases are shared and victims receive automatic support. |
Following the death threats Julia goes to the police station in search of support. She is advised to get an injunction and informed by the police that they have ‘flagged’ her home as a high-risk address. | Some form of oversight could ensure that a protocol for assessing risk is implemented consistently, and that steps are taken to manage high risk. National roll out of good practice instead of ‘postcode lottery’ would ensure women experiencing all forms of violence receive the protection they deserve |
With extreme difficulty Julia secures an injunction. At one of the hearings the judge expresses concern about Alan’s mental stability. | An integrated approach could also ensure roll out of good practice with respect to safety planning and risk assessment, with a commitment to updating this as wider implementation increases the evidence base. |
Alan continues to send threatening texts, make abusive phone calls and drive past the house frequently. He also makes frequent suicide threats to Julia and their two young children, and makes calls and writes letters to members of Julia’s family. There were at least four separate occasions when the police were contacted about the death threats and the breaking of the injunction. During each of these incidents the police were approached repeatedly. | A ‘joined-up’ strategy would also mean that Alan received support from a recognised perpetrator programme. |
Alan moves in with another woman mid 2003. She has two shotguns in her home. Alan stops financial support to the family. Julia is forced to draw on life savings to live. A couple of months later the locks to Julia’s property are glued up, this is reported to the police. | An integrated approach and oversight body could address the inadequacy of both police and CPS to fully utilise the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and the lack of training for police. Social services would have procedures in place to allow domestic violence victims to access benefits quickly thereby removing the need to rely on a violent perpetrator for finance. |
In late spring Julia’s son is sent a copy of their first sworn affidavit, which contains death threats from Alan. Julia, with her brother, again goes to the police, who promise to act. | |
During this period Alan is being treated by his GP and a psychiatrist for depression. He is signed off from work. | Core professional training, through an integrated approach would alert professionals to key risks, such as separation, death and suicide threats. |
The police install a panic alarm, but shortly after the magistrate reduces the injunction to an undertaking. Confusingly, despite alarm, Julia is told to call 999 if Alan threatened to enter the house. | Most dangerous perpetrators across a form of Violence Against Women (VAW) are known to the victim. An integrated approach, supported by the right training and therefore knowledge would mean that risks would be identified much sooner in the process. |
Alan fails to turn up for an appointment with his psychiatrist. Decree nisi is issued. Julia receives a letter from Alan in which he gives a deadline to make contact. Disillusioned with police response, Julia posts the letter to her solicitor. | An integrated approach could promote the kinds of advocacy projects/work, which is known to be effective across a range of forms of VAW. For example multi disciplinary responses where communication happens across all relevant agencies |
Alan arrives at the family home. Julia hears gunshots and immediately calls 999. It takes 10-12 minutes for the call to be taken seriously, but she is told the police are on their way now. During the time Julia was on the phone to 999, Alan killed his 17 year-old son, William, on the driveway of the house as he fought to prevent his father from entering. By the time armed police arrived, about an hour or more after Julia dialled 999, Alan has also shot Julia and then himself. | With an integrated strategy in place all domestic violence incidents will be taken seriously by police, thereby avoiding crisis point. VAW must be integrated across all police policy areas. |
After a hugely unsatisfactory inquest, Julia’s family is still seeking recognition of the failure to protect by state agencies with the aim to ensure measures are put in place to prevent further domestic violence homicides. | An integrated approach would ensure that lessons are learnt and are automatically fed into policy and practice. Investment is needed in securing minimum standards across all services and service providers. |
