West Lothian Council delivers

Domestic violence

 

THE DOMESTIC & SEXUAL ASSAULT TEAM

The Domestic and Sexual Assault Team (DASAT) - formerly known as the Domestic Abuse Service (DAS) - was set up in February 2007 to provide a specialised service to women and children in West Lothian are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse. In December 2010 the service was expanded to provide support to victims of recent rape and/or sexual assault. In August 2011 the service was made available to both victims of recent and historical rape/sexual assault.

DASAT has a versatile and committed team comprising of manager, two fulltime children's workers and two fulltime women's workers, one with a remit to work with women from minority populations and the other working with women having substance misuse issues. Sessional workers are currently supplementing the team as a result of the Safer Streets initiative. A counsellor from Open Secret has been seconded to the DASAT team with a remit to work with adult survivors of child sexual abuse and domestic abuse. All adult support workers are involved in supporting both victims of domestic and rape/sexual assault.

Working with children and young people

Services to children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse are delivered in a range of ways to meet their individual needs which can include both individual support and group work programmes.

Individual Support to children and young people is tailored to suit their age, ability, awareness and individual needs and circumstances. It is available to children and young people in the refuge or in the community. It generally involves safety planning and looking at feelings and emotions, anger and aggression and other relevant topics and can use mediums such as art, games and other opportunities according to each individual child and his or her preferences.

Group Work is targeted at 5-7 year olds, 7-9 year olds and 9-11 year olds. The programme includes feelings/emotions, anger/aggression, safety and other topics.

Generally, when children are 3 years or under, support to the mother/main carer is considered to benefit the child in a more sustainable way than just individualised attention to the child. This can include work with the mother on play, routines, safety, emotional security and other factors.

Schools Work - Preventative Education Programme

In recognition of the importance of effecting culture change among children and young people on the issues of Domestic Abuse, DASAT and Education have worked with key partner agencies to deliver a preventative education programme and/or awareness raising sessions to secondary schools within West Lothian. It is envisaged that this work will be piloted in some primary schools in the near future.

Working With Women

The DASAT team has specialised staff to provide support to all women experiencing domestic abuse, rape and/or sexual assault. Women's workers provide a range of services including:

• Safety planning
• Emotional support
• Advice/advocacy
• Information and contacts for other services

Safer Street Initiative

DASAT, in partnership with Lothian & Borders Police and Victim Support, implemented a pilot scheme in December 2009 aimed at offering early intervention (within 24 hours) following incidents of reported domestic abuse. The pilot was based on the premise that the sooner women are contacted after an incident of domestic abuse the more likely they are to engage with services. The co-location of DASAT and the Police in the Civic Centre in Livingston has improved communication and effective working practices. Due to the success and unprecedented demand for this service, the pilot has been extended.

Rape and Sexual Assault Support Service

A multi agency initiative to support adult victims of recent rape and sexual assault began on the 1st December 2010. This support service will complement and work in tandem with Victim Support and the Federal unit. Federal is a team of dedicated police officers, based in West Lothian, who investigate crimes of sexual violence. In August 2011 the support service was extended to both victims of recent and historical rape/sexual assault, e.g. the service is now available to adult victims/survivors of child sexual abuse.

Counsellor

The DASAT team includes a counsellor seconded from Open Secret. The worker offers a service to adult survivors of child sexual abuse and, more recently, the service has been opened up to adult survivors of domestic abuse. Surgeries are held throughout West Lothian.

Art Therapy Group

The Open Secret counsellor facilitates this group which meets every Tuesday in the Howden Park Centre in Livingston and is open to adult survivors of abuse. This offers survivors the opportunity to engage in a specialised therapeutic service.

Training

The team has a limited training remit and, as resources allow, will provide training on issues surrounding abuse. DASAT continues to have a key role in the delivery of Routine Enquiry Training to NHS staff with a parrticular focus on midwives, mental health professionals and those staff dealing with substance misuse.

If you require more information on any of the above services please contact Diane Stott on 01506 281055 or email susan.lawson@westlothian.gov.uk

Useful telephone numbers

Victim Support   -   01506 635050
Domestic Abuse Helpline   -   0800 027 1234
Childline   -   8088 1111
Shakti Women's Aid   -   0131 475 2399
Family Mediation Lothian   -   0131 226 4507
Edinburgh Women's Rape & Sexual Assault Centre   -   0131 556 9437
SCET (Social Work Emergency Team - Out of Hours Service)   -   01506 281028 or 281029
West Lothian Council Housing   -   01506 775000
Domestic Abuse Liaison Officer   -   01506 833834
Breathing Space   -   0800 838587 (Lines open Monday-Thursday, 6pm to 2am and Friday 6pm to Monday 6am)
Rape Crisis Helpline   -   08088 01 03 02 (Lines open 7 days from 6pm to midnight)

updated: 09/09/11