Time to TALK to students about domestic abuse and sexual violence

Funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner has secured the help and expertise of a local domestic abuse charity, Atal y Fro, who will deliver the TALK project.

TALK stands for Tell, Advise, Listen and Keep Safe, and aims to tackle domestic abuse and sexual violence amongst our student population by improving early identification and intervention; increasing reporting by increasing victim confidence and; encouraging prevention.

Atal y Fro has introduced an independent adviser who will be a dedicated point of referral for victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence, and deliver training to university staff including welfare support staff, personal tutors, student union staff and security personnel.

The five local universities are: Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Swansea University, University of Wales Trinity St David and University of South Wales.

Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales, Alun Michael, said

“Our student population in South Wales is a unique community. Most are young, many are living away from home for the first time, and often they are vulnerable because they do not have their normal support system of family and friends around them.

“This is why it is so important that students and university staff have access to a specialist, independent adviser who will deliver targeted training and be a dedicated point of referral.”

The Independent Adviser will also work with staff and student groups to develop their understanding of domestic abuse and sexual violence, and the importance of challenging and reporting inappropriate behaviour.

Director of Atal y Fro, Kay Quinn says

“We are delighted to be taking this project forward, to be in a position to help university staff and students understand the complexities of domestic abuse and sexual violence, and to support victims.

“We will deliver an on-going training programme designed to empower staff to recognise the signs of abuse, and to take the appropriate steps to refer the victim to our advocate who will listen to and work with them to keep them safe.”

Each of the five universities and associated higher education institutes are committed to tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Ben Lewis, Director of Student Support and Wellbeing from Cardiff University, one of the five universities involved, said

“A student’s Tutor or a member of university staff may have the greatest opportunity to identify a change in a student’s behaviour, as a result of them experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence. We are already we are seeing the benefit of the specialist training our staff have received.

“Having a dedicated, independent adviser that we can refer a student to is invaluable. Working together we can ensure that any student affected receives the very best care and support.”

The TALK project was developed following the success of IRIS programme with GP Practices (IRIS stands for Identification and Referral to Improve Safety) in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan in November 2014 and in Cwm Taf (Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taf) in November 2015.

As of the end of July 2016, 24 surgeries in Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan are fully trained, involving 345 staff, and 165 referrals have been made to specialist services.  In Cwm Taf 16 surgeries are fully trained, involving 334 staff, generating 100 referrals, 37 of which were first time disclosures.

A domestic abuse survivor, said

“I was in a relationship with another student while I was at university, and I was a victim of domestic abuse.

“I was clearly unhappy, and yet a number of professionals did not recognise that I was experiencing this abuse nor question my change in behaviour. Had my doctor or any one of my tutors or university staff spotted the signs and asked the right questions, I believe it would have helped bring an end to the difficult situation I was in far sooner.”

Assistant Chief Constable Jonathan Drake said

“We have an excellent working relationship with each of the universities in South Wales, with dedicated policing teams working with our student population and university staff.

“This project is an extension of this proactive work and ensures that we are doing all we can to identify, intervene and protect people.”

Commissioner Alun Michael stressed the need for more to be done to build on the work that has already been undertaken:

“We want all students studying and living in South Wales to feel confident that if they are a victim of domestic abuse or sexual violence the police and their partners will be ready to take prompt, positive action to help.  That’s why South Wales Police are working with a wide range of statutory and third sector partner agencies to protect vulnerable people.”