Multi-Agency Approach to Domestic Violence: New Opportunities, Old Challenges?

Interagency working on domestic violence has progressed much in recent years, with the introduction of domestic violence units and formal multi-agency arrangements involving the police, local authorities and specialist non-statutory organisations. Innovative work in the United Kingdom is paralleled by developments elsewhere. This book considers the policy implications of interagency approaches. It examines some of the theoretical concepts that underlie this work and brings together evaluations of innovative projects and examples of good interagency practice. The chapters are not all written from the same perspective. Some are more guarded or more critical of the approach than others. We hope that the book will offer to its readers information that will enable them to make their own assessments. Contents include: Multi-Agency Responses: A Dynamic Way Forward or a Face-Saver and Talking Shop Gill Hague, Research Fellow, Domestic Violence Research Group, University of Bristol . A Perspective from Women's Aid Nicola Harwin, National Co-Ordinator, Women's Aid Federation of England. . Domestic Violence and Interagency Child Protection Work Thangam Debbonaire, former National Children's Officer, Women's Aid Federation of England . The Multi-Agency Approach: A Panacea or Obstacle to Women's Struggles for Freedom from Violence? Pragna Patel, Southall Black Sisters . Feminist Reflections on Interagency Forums and the Concept of Partnership Liz Kelly, Director, Child and Women Abuse Studies Unit, University of North London . Equalities Issues in Multi-Agency Work Gill Hague, Charlene Henry, Chair, Derby Domestic Violence Action Group and Ann Webster, Equalities Officer, Derby City Council . Interagency Developments on Domestic Violence in Hammersmith and Fulham Robyn Holder, former Community Safety Officer, Hammersmith and Fulham . Leeds Interagency Project (Women and Violence) Andrea Tara-Chand, Manager Leeds Interagency Project . Reaching Joint Agreement on Domestic Violence Policies Annie Moelwyn-Hughes, former Co-Ordinator of Central Scotland M/A Project . Duluth: A Co-Ordinated Community Response to Domestic Violence Ellen Pence, National Training Project, Duluth, Minnesota and Martha McMahon, University of Victoria . Housing Agencies, Domestic Violence and Inter-Agency Work Ellen Malos, Research Fellow, Domestic Violence Research Group, University of Bristol . Policing Domestic Violence and Interagency Work Sharon Grace, Crime and Criminal Justice Unit, Research and Statistics Directorate, Home Office . The Probation Perspective A E Stelman, B Johnson, S Hanley and J Geraghty, Domestic Violence Working Group, Association of Chief Officers of Probation . Social Services Response to Domestic Violence Audrey Mullender, Professor of Social Work, University of Warwick . Education and Domestic Violence Davina James-Hanman, Co-Ordinator, Greater London Domestic Violence Project Nicola Harwin is National Coordinator, Women's Aid Federation of England, Gill Hague and Ellen Malos are Research Fellows, Domestic Violence Research Group, University of Bristol.