Recently the Minister of Social Development and Seniors, The Hon. Tineé S. Furbert, JP, MP, and the Commissioner of Police Mr. Darrin Simons provided an update on the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) Model and The SafeLives Bermuda: Public Health Approach Report.
PRESS CONFERENCE STATEMENT: The Hon. Tinée Furbert, JP, MP, Minister of Social Development and Seniors
Good morning, Bermuda
Thank you for joining us today as we provide an update on the progress we have made in enhancing Bermuda's response to domestic abuse.
I am joined by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Darrin Simons, and Acting Chief Inspector, Mrs. Derricka Burns and Inspector Ms. Sharnita Tankard, on behalf of the Bermuda Police Service. Senior Programme Manager at the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS), Mrs. Renee Brown and MARAC Committee Members, Mr. Damon Wade, Co-Chairperson of Centre Against Abuse.
As initially highlighted in the 2022-2023 Throne Speech, Bermuda is implementing the MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference) Model.
A MARAC is a regular meeting to discuss how to help victims at high risk of serious harm in domestic situations. It is a confidential meeting where attendees will discuss the victim and share relevant information in order to support and protect the victim and their family.
Together, the meeting will put together a risk management action plan individualised for each victim so that each agency is aware and understands their role in protecting and supporting the victim.
The participants in a MARAC are:
- Police: Vulnerable Persons Unit
- Department of Child and Family Services
- Support Services (Centre Against Abuse, Women’s Resource Centre, Ageing and Disability Services)
- Health (where necessary)
- Other relevant agencies who have knowledge of or works with the victim or family (ex: Court/Probation Services, Mental Health Services, Substance Misuse Services)
Since 2022, we have undertaken a comprehensive review of our systems, aiming to improve our response, early intervention, and prevention of domestic abuse in our community. This review was conducted by SafeLives UK, an organisation/charity dedicated to ending domestic violence that works with organisations across the UK to transform the response to domestic abuse.
SafeLives took a systems-wide assessment of our current landscape, engaging with various stakeholders, including survivors, perpetrators, professionals, and the general public. They used a range of methodologies, including public surveys, face- to-face interviews, and consultations with service users and providers. Through this collaborative effort, we have gained valuable insights and identified key opportunities for improvement.
The SafeLives Bermuda: Public Health Approach Report includes the following content:
- Prevalence of Domestic Abuse in Bermuda
- The Systems in Bermuda
- Domestic Abuse Awareness
- Multi-agency working
- Governance and information sharing
- Referral Pathways
- Support Services and Commissioning
- Working with those who harm
- Whole Family working
- Authentic Voice
- Risk Assessment & MARAC
- Summary of Recommendations
One of the most significant outcomes of this review is the establishment of a Domestic Abuse Strategy for Bermuda. Today, I am proud to share with you the priorities for the 2023/2024 period, which will guide our efforts in addressing domestic abuse:
Priority 1: Establishment of the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Committee (MARAC) Model
One of the significant advancements is the establishment of the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Committee (MARAC) Model in Bermuda. This committee will regularly review the highest risk domestic abuse cases and bring together core agencies such as the Bermuda Police Service, the Centre Against Abuse, and the Department of Child and Family Services, along with other specialists, when necessary. The MARAC will provide a vital platform for sharing information and expertise. The MARAC has convened meetings to review cases.
Priority 2: Implementation of a multi-agency information-sharing agreement
To support the MARAC process, we will implement a multi-agency information- sharing agreement. This will facilitate the sharing of information between agencies, enabling a more coordinated and effective response.
Priority 3: Increasing domestic abuse awareness among professionals
We are committed to increasing domestic abuse awareness among professionals, ensuring they have a shared understanding and language when addressing domestic abuse. It is crucial that survivors feel believed and supported when seeking help. We will develop a clear pathway and flowchart for multi-agency working, ensuring a coordinated response. We will also look to work with agencies to commission perpetrator services to create programmes that are robust and risk-focused.
Priority 4: Engaging political partners and strategic leaders
We will actively engage our political partners and strategic leaders to raise awareness about domestic abuse and make it a key priority. By fostering awareness, we can secure the necessary resources to effectively tackle this issue and create lasting change.
Priority 5: Specialised police training
Recognising the critical role of the Bermuda Police Service, specialised training to increase police awareness of domestic abuse will be provided. This will improve survivor experiences when seeking support, and the Commissioner of the Bermuda Police Service will provide further details shortly.
Priority 6: Shared standardised risk assessment tools
We recognise the importance of consistent risk assessment in domestic abuse cases. Therefore, we will implement shared standardised risk assessment tools across core agencies. This will ensure a unified approach to assessing the level of risk and inform appropriate interventions.
Priority 7: Improved data collection
Enhancing our data collection efforts is essential in addressing domestic abuse. We will work closely with core agencies to improve data collection surrounding domestic abuse instances. This will enable us to monitor trends, measure progress, and make data-informed decisions.
Priority 8: Review of agency policies and procedures
We will conduct a thorough review of individual agency policies and procedures, aligning them with the Bermuda Domestic Abuse Strategy and the MARAC. This alignment will ensure a cohesive approach and effective collaboration among agencies.
Priority 9: Support from a Domestic Abuse Specialist
We will implement a process whereby survivors are supported by a single specialist domestic abuse professional who can identify needs and coordinate support from other agencies
Priority 10: Public awareness campaign
To raise awareness island-wide, we will launch a comprehensive public campaign. This campaign will inform the public about available support services and instill confidence in professionals' responses to domestic abuse.
These are just the first ten priorities of our comprehensive Domestic Abuse Strategy for Bermuda. Each one plays a crucial role in improving our response to domestic abuse and creating a safer environment for all members of our community. For anyone who is experiencing domestic violence, we want:
- Action before someone is harmed or harms others
- Harmful behaviour identified and stopped
- Increased safety for everyone at risk
- The ability for people to live the life they want after harm has happened
Bermuda, our response to domestic abuse is vital and I will highlight a few statistics that we should all consider:
- Bermuda’s estimated adult female population is 27,723 (According to the 2016 Bermuda Government Census)
- Research from the World Health Organisation (WHO), estimates that:
- 1 in 3 (30%) of women globally have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.
- 27% of women aged 15-49 reported that they had experienced intimate partner violence (IPV).
- Furthermore, the WHO estimate that globally in a 12-month period 13% of the female population will have experienced IPV.
- Based on this research we estimate that 27% of the female Bermuda population will have experienced intimate partner violence or abuse at some point in their lifetime.
- The 2016 census data therefore suggests that over 7000 women in Bermuda have experienced IPV in their lifetime.
- We further estimate that over 3000 women in Bermuda have experienced IPV in the last 12 months.
- Male victims: whilst domestic abuse is a gendered crime and the majority of victims worldwide identify as female, we know that anyone, regardless of their sex, gender identity, sexuality, disability or age, can experience domestic abuse. Therefore, we know that there are male victims of domestic abuse in Bermuda.
- However, there is no global estimate of male victims. The England and Wales Crime survey usually returns around 3-4% of men and 7-8% of women experiencing DA in one year.
- This is worked out at between 13-14% of men experiencing DA over their lifetime and 27-28% of women over their lifetime in England and Wales.
- To fully capture the gender breakdown in Bermuda, we recommend that domestic abuse services and statutory agencies collect and monitor detailed case data.
- To support male victims, it is key to understand their needs. Male victims face barriers in seeking support for various reasons related to stigma. SafeLives is conducting research into the experiences of male victims and the best ways to support them.
On behalf of the Government of Bermuda, I want to thank the MARAC members, Bermuda Police Service, SafeLives UK, all the stakeholders in government and private sector who have contributed to this survey and initiative. I want to thank you for your dedication to this vital cause.
Now, I will invite the Commissioner of the Bermuda Police Service to elaborate on the specialised training and initiatives that will be undertaken in support of our Domestic Abuse Strategy.
PRESS CONFERENCE STATEMENT: Mr. Darrin Simons, Commissioner of Police
Survivors of domestic abuse often face significant challenges when seeking support, including fear, shame, and uncertainty about how to access resources. Police officers play a critical role in responding to incidents of domestic violence, but historically, their response has not always been effective in protecting survivors and holding abusers accountable.
To address this issue, Bermuda Police Service officers have been undergoing training in keeping with guidelines set out under the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC), that focuses specifically on domestic abuse and its impact on survivors. This training covers a range of topics, including the dynamics of domestic abuse, the psychological and emotional effects on survivors, and strategies for responding to incidents of domestic violence in a way that prioritizes survivor safety.
One key aspect of this training is helping officers recognize the signs of domestic abuse and understand the different forms it can take. Domestic abuse can involve physical violence, sexual assault, emotional abuse, financial exploitation, and more. By understanding the breadth and complexity of domestic abuse, officers can more effectively identify situations where survivors may be at risk and take appropriate action to protect them.
Another important component of this training is helping officers understand the impact of trauma on survivors of domestic abuse. Survivors of domestic abuse often experience significant psychological and emotional trauma, which can affect their ability to trust others and seek help. By gaining a deeper understanding of trauma and its effects, officers can be better equipped to support survivors in a way that is compassionate, respectful, and trauma-informed.
Ultimately, the goal is to improve survivor experiences when seeking support from law enforcement. Increasing police awareness of domestic abuse and providing officers with the tools and knowledge they need to respond effectively, means survivors can feel more confident in seeking help and getting the support they need to move forward. This also strengthens the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve, creating a safer and more supportive environment for all.