Strathclyde Police Family Protection Units

In this section:

• Supporting victims
• How the new Units relate to the old
• Why is there a need for dedicated units?
• What crimes will the Family Protection Units assist with?
• What happens once an offence is reported?
• Listing of Family Protection Units

Supporting victims

Victims are not criminals. This may seem a basic point of fact, but it is one that Strathclyde Police is seeking to emphasise with the setting-up of Family Protection Units in each Division of its Force area. The new Units address the need for victims of emotive and sensitive crimes such as sexual assault, domestic abuse and child abuse, and the police investigations into such crimes, to be handled with sensitivity and diligence by dedicated, well-trained individuals who specialise in such areas.

We understand that victims require a great deal of support in order to mend their lives and find a way to move forward, and the new Units aim to play an important role in helping this to take place. In essence, we are committed to transferring the fear of crime from the victim to the accused, and reassuring victims that they can have full confidence that in making an offence known to the police, they as individuals, and the crime that has been committed against them, will both be handled sensitively and investigated rigorously.

How the new Units relate to the old

In effect, the new Units combine existing Female and Child Units (investigating crimes of a sexual nature and child protection issues) plus Offender Assessment Units (established to assess and monitor offenders) with newly-created Domestic Abuse Units (dedicated to tackling crime in the home).

Each Unit is staffed by an average of 17 professionals, and includes two Detective Sergeants and a Detective Inspector specialising in the investigation of sensitive and emotive crimes, thereby making greater specialised resources available to the investigation of such offences. Also, a dedicated administrator for each Unit allows staff to concentrate on dealing with victims, their cases and any problems they may face, as opposed to dealing with paperwork issues. In conjunction with all 12 local authority Social Work departments, staff have undertaken joint training courses with social workers in order to deal appropriately with child victims of abuse.

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Why is there a need for dedicated Units?

In 2002, Strathclyde Police received in excess of 3,680 child protection referrals (such referrals including child neglect cases as well as sexual and physical assault cases). In addition, in pilot studies for the Family Protection Units, North Lanarkshire alone dealt with 2,330 domestic abuse cases during 2002. We believe that effectively tackling this problem requires greater protection of the victim by applying greater pressure upon offenders, as well as giving greater consideration to the rights and needs of victims.

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What crimes will the Family Protection Units assist with?

The Family Protection Units have been established for all victims of sensitive and emotive crimes, and not just those that occur within the family. The list below contains some of the types of offences that are looked after by the Family Protection Units.

Crimes Against Children

• physical and sexual abuse
• historic physical or sexual abuse (abuse that may have occurred within the victim's childhood or sometime in the past)
• neglect
• emotional abuse
• any other behaviour that affects a child's natural development

Crimes Against Adults

• any sexual assault committed against both males and females, including drug-assisted sexual assault (find out more about drug-assisted sexual assault)
• rape
• sexual or physical assaults committed against vulnerable members of society (both male and female)
• domestic abuse committed against both males and females (including physical and sexual abuse)

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What happens once an offence is reported?

Once an offence is reported to any police office in the Strathclyde Police Force area, local police officers will attend in the first instance. Thereafter, the police office will automatically pass on details of the offence to the local Family Protection Unit. Once this information has been received, the Unit will determine an appropriate response.

In addition, Strathclyde Police will do the following in order to help the victim:

• We will consult on the victim's behalf with healthcare professionals to ensure that your medical and welfare needs are met.
• We will investigate the crime committed against the victim diligently and sensitively during the investigation process.
• We will ensure that the victim is kept informed of what is happening and why we will advise the victim on your personal safety and, if necessary, arrange to protect you if you may be in danger.
• We will advise the victim if or when you may be required to attend court - we will give the victim as much notice of your court appearances as possible.
• We will advise the victim on matters which may affect their health and how to access appropriate medical help and information if required, we will liaise on the victim's behalf with health, education and social work departments, plus housing and voluntary organisations, to help the victim to gain the assistance needed to recover her/his life.
• Depending on the crime that has been committed against the victim, a specially qualified doctor may be required to carry out a physical examination. Special examination suites will be used, fitted with a comfortable room to rest in, a medical examination room and a bathroom where the victim can take a shower after the examination. Toiletries are provided and, if required, we will give the victim a change of clothing whenever possible

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Listing of Family Protection Units

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