VAWGDASV Brighton & Hove Oversight Board: Terms of Reference

Terms of reference for the Violence against Women and Girls, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWGDASV) Brighton & Hove Oversight Board.

Role and purpose

The Oversight Board provides a collaborative oversight to support the progression and delivery of the Brighton & Hove VAWGDASV Strategy 2025 to 2028 at pace and with momentum.

The Oversight Board will align scrutiny of performance to the activities driven by the Brighton & Hove VAWGDASV Strategy and action plan, and associated workstreams.

The Board’s vision is to end violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and sexual violence in Brighton & Hove. The Board will achieve this ambition through a commitment, alongside local partners, to deliver the strategic aims of the VAWGDASV 2025-2028 Strategy collaboratively.

The VAWGDASV Strategies aims are to:

Strengthening the co-ordinated response to all forms of VAWG, DA and SV irrespective of whether the incident occurs in private or public space, we will join up council and partner services and address gaps in provision.
Prioritising prevention to end VAWG, DA and SV through a collaborative approach to awareness raising, data and information sharing, education and communication campaigns.
Supporting survivors to ensure anyone affected by VAWG, DA and SV has access to high quality trauma-informed support. Working across public, private and third sector partners, with specialist and community providers, we will identify and support victims at an earlier stage.
Building an accountable community and changing perpetrator behaviour by shifting the focus away from the victim’s behaviour to the perpetrator’s, strengthening the criminal justice response and supporting behaviour change.

The Board will contribute to these aims through multi-agency co-operation and commitment to each other. Multi-agency includes third sector delivery agencies, it involves representative voices, and it involves survivors.

Action plan:

For the full list of actions related to the strategic aims please see the appendix 1

The role of the Board is to:

hold partners to account
secure buy in and commitment of partners
foster effective partnership working between key partners
ensure engagement and involvement of all partners in the development and delivery of the Strategy and action plan
ensure that all stakeholder, including survivor, views are understood and considered as part of the development and delivery of the approach to VAWGDASV
provide a regular forum for partners to discuss and advise on policy development and proposals for the delivery of the strategy and action plan

In the Board meetings, the group will:

adopt a collaborative and constructive approach to ending VAWGDASV recognising the roll of all parties in achieving that aim
represent the views of their organisation in relation to development and delivery of the Strategy and action plan, offer mutual accountability through the open sharing of information including performance measures and make commitments for action to be delivered by their organisation
provide oversight to an agreed programme of work (conducted by working groups) to deliver the shared objectives and aim to end VAWGDASV in Brighton & Hove

Decision Making

The Board does not mandate partners with any specific decision. Each organisation has its own accountability mechanism. However, there remains considerable space for collaborative agreement to be achieved through common purpose and commitment. It is in agreeing and delivering on shared approaches that the Board will optimise the collective contribution to the aim to end VAWGDASV.

Task and Finish Groups

The Board will oversee a series of Task and Finish Groups, which will report to the Oversight Board, to take forward and oversee work on key actions. These workstreams may change over time as progress is made and priorities develop. However, initially the task and finish groups will address each strategic objective:

Community Coordination
Prevention
Survivor Support
Perpetrator behaviour change

Membership and roles

The Board meetings will be co-chaired by XX in Brighton & Hove. Membership should be at a sufficiently senior level that they are able to make commitments on behalf of their agency.

Co-Chairs

Head of Community Cohesion or Director of Communities and Commissioning TBC

Police Lead. TBC

Senior responsible Officers

Head of Cohesion. TBC

Anne Clark, Strategic Lead Commissioner, Violence Against Women and Girls, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence

Core members

Brighton and Hove City Council.

Tom Bennet. Lead for Exploitation and Serious Violence

Nahida Shaikh. Prevent Lead

Justin Grantham. Head of Safeguarding

Harry Charles. Head of Homelessness

Martin Reid. Director of Housing.

Public Health. TBC

Equalities. TBC

Chas Walker. Changing Futures Lead

Guy Sargeant. Adult Safeguarding Bard Manager

Shahida Akhtar. Partnership and Strategy Officer and MARAC Lead

Tess Michaels. Partnership and Strategy Officer

Fire Service. TBC

Police. TBC

Probation. TBC

Integrated Care Board. Nicole Nair, Strategic Commissioner

Integrated Care Board. Jenny Whytte, Safeguarding Lead

Victims of Lived Experience Board. Sarah Flagg

Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. Jason Tingley

Voluntary Sector/Providers

Brighton Womens Centre, Lisa Dando

Cranstoun. Maria Cripps

CGL. TBC

Hersana. TBC

LGBT Q+ Switchboard. Head of Services Luke Martin

Network of International Women. Linda Beanland

Stonewater. Nicola Lambe,Head of Domestic Abuse

RISE, Jo Gough, CEO

Victim Support. Alan Chambers

Task and Finish Group Leads

Coordianted Response Group. BHCC Anne Clark Strategic Lead for VAWG/DA/SV

Prevention. BHCC Justin Grantham Head of Safeguarding

Supporting Survivors Disadvantage. Brighton Womens Centre Lisa Dando TBC

Perpetrators. Cranstoun. Colin Fitzgerald. Head of DA Services

Meetings

Meetings will convene every 2 months and will last for 2 hours. This may be subject to change, and additional meetings may be brought forward at the discretion of the members.

Appendix 1: VAWGDASV Action Plan

Priority one: A strengthened Community Coordinated Response

No	Action	Intended Outcome
1.1	Develop a revised governance and subgroup structure to deliver the VAWG, DA and SV Strategy, with quarterly reporting to the VAWG, DA and SV Oversight Board.	Establish a revised governance and subgroup structure to support the effective delivery of the Strategy, with quarterly progress reports provided to the VAWG, DA, and SV Oversight Board to ensure accountability and strategic alignment.
1.2	Disseminate Learning from Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews (DARDR) to improve future service delivery and risk management	Share insights from Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews (DARDR) across relevant services to enhance future service delivery and strengthen risk management practices, promoting a more informed and preventative approach to domestic abuse cases.
1.3	Institute mandatory VAWG, DA and SV Awareness training as part of induction for all Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) staff, ensuring that all employees are equipped to recognise, respond to, and signpost disclosures of VAWG, DA and SV	Implement mandatory VAWG, DA, and SV Awareness training as part of the induction process for all Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) staff, equipping employees with the knowledge to recognise, respond to, and appropriately signpost disclosures of violence against women and girls, domestic abuse, and sexual violence.
1.4	Expand action focused on improving safety in Public Spaces, with special focus on public transport, schools and libraries	Enhance safety measures in public spaces, prioritising public transport, schools, and libraries, to create secure environments where residents feel protected and supported, with targeted actions to prevent VAWG, DA and SV and respond to potential risks effectively.
1.5	Work with highways and planning to continually improve street lighting and ensure VAWG, DA and SV considerations are included in the City Plan, planning applications to build environment and public spaces.	Partner with highways and planning teams to enhance street lighting and incorporate VAWG, DA, and SV considerations into planning applications, ensuring that public spaces and the built environment are designed to prioritise safety and prevent violence.
1.6	Continue to support Operation Limelight Activity, aimed at raising awareness of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other harmful practises	Maintain support for Operation Limelight activities to raise awareness of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other harmful practices, enhancing public knowledge and preventative efforts within the community.

Priority two: Prioritising Prevention

No	Action	Intended Outcome
2.1	Develop links with young ambassadors and advisory groups to co-produce events and campaigns aimed at raising VAWG, DA and SV awareness among young people.	Improved engagement with young people in decision-making processes related to VAWG, DA AND SV campaigns and events.
2.2	Encourage venues in Brighton & Hove to adopt a commitment to VAWG, DA and SV prevention in the new Brighton & Hove licensing policy. This will include action on spiking, VAWG, DA and SV training for staff around identifying and acting on inappropriate sexualised behaviour and offending with regular reviews being undertaken	Promote the adoption of a VAWG, DA, and SV prevention commitment within Brighton & Hove's licensing policy for local venues, including measures to address spiking, staff training on identifying and responding to inappropriate sexualised behaviour, and regular policy reviews to ensure ongoing compliance and effectiveness.
2.3	Explore joint working initiatives with the ICB (Integrated Care Board) and /Public Health team to prevent VAWG, DA and SV in maternity services, sexual health services and community services and GPs	Explore collaborative initiatives with the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Public Health team to prevent VAWG, DA, and SV within maternity services, sexual health services, community services, and GP practices, fostering a coordinated approach to early intervention and support across healthcare settings.
2.4	Strengthen interventions for individuals with multiple disadvantages who are at greater risk of experiencing violence against women and girls VAWG, DA and SV by identifying gaps, reducing duplication of efforts, and fostering interagency collaboration.	Strengthened, coordinated interventions for clients with multiple compound needs through collaborative, innovative approaches and improved resource allocation. The approach aims to provide earlier and more effective support to prevent VAWG, DA, and SV among vulnerable groups by addressing gaps and reducing duplication across agencies.
2.5	Strengthen the offer to education sector to raise awareness of VAWG, DA and SV amongst young people, using a “whole school approach” and the work of the Harmful Sexual Practises Group. Include considerations of the adultification of young black girls and link VAWG, DA and SV awareness to anti-bullying work.	Improved pathways to support for young people by integrating VAWG, DA and SV into school environment. Delivery of VAWG, DA and SV related education programmes, ensuring young people are educated on the impact and prevention of VAWG, DA and SV.
2.6	Support the Family Hubs to share information on VAWG, DA and SV and provide a consistent process for disclosing information to protect those at risk of harm.	Increased safety for individuals at risk of VAWG, DA and SV through better information sharing and consistent processes for disclosure in Family Hubs.

Priority Three: Support for Survivors

No	Action	Intended Outcome
3.1	Monitor the impact of key criminal justice system changes on VAWG, DA and SV including the early release of prisoners, the introduction of specialist Domestic Abuse (DA) courts in Sussex, developments from Operation Soteria (focusing on rape and sexual offences), and the ongoing work of the Stalking Clinic.	Local VAWG, DA and SV response is continually informed by the latest criminal justice developments and evaluation of service providers and partners are fully informed on criminal justice system trends and policy changes, allowing for more responsive and adaptive services.
3.2	Hold twice yearly workshops with individuals who have lived experience of VAWG, DA and SV to consult on key issues, gather feedback on local services, and ensure that a wide range of victim experiences are represented.	Organise workshops with individuals who have lived experience of VAWG, DA, and SV to consult on key issues, collect feedback on local services, and incorporate diverse victim perspectives, ensuring that service improvements and strategies are responsive to the needs of those affected.
3.3	Develop a comprehensive VAWG , DA and SV Information Pack specifically for the Housing Team, providing victims with clear knowledge of their housing options and available support.	Victims/Survivors are better informed of their housing and safety options, allowing them to make informed decisions and access appropriate support.
3.4	Monitor the implementation of the recommendations of the Stonewater Safehaven by the Sea Report	Establish a monitoring framework to oversee the implementation of recommendations from the "Safe Haven by the Sea" report, ensuring that actions are effectively executed and contribute to enhancing support services for domestic abuse survivors in Brighton & Hove
3.5	Collaborate with the Business Community to improve access to support for survivors Including employees and members of the public.	Partner with the business community to improve access to support for survivors of VAWG, DA, and SV, ensuring that both employees and members of the public are aware of available resources and support services, and fostering safer workplaces and community spaces.
3.6	Review gaps in provision related to disability due to evidence from data which highlights high levels of victim survivors with disabilities and VAWG, DA and SV intersect	Conduct a review of service provision gaps for survivors with disabilities, using data insights that indicate high levels of VAWG, DA, and SV within this group. This review will inform targeted improvements to ensure accessible, inclusive support for survivors with disabilities, addressing the specific challenges where disability intersects with experiences of violence and abuse.
3.7	Ensure that VAWG, DA and SV is referenced and integrated into the Violence Reduction workplan to meet legal obligations and ensure VAWG, DA and SV is a core focus in broader violence reduction strategies	Integrate VAWG, DA, and SV into the Violence Reduction workplan, ensuring that these areas are prioritised and aligned with legal obligations. This will make VAWG, DA, and SV a core focus within broader violence reduction strategies, fostering a comprehensive and inclusive approach to community safety.
3,8	Continue to support the development of Reciprocal Housing Arrangements	Work with Housing and partners across Sussex to develop Reciprocal Housing Arrangements to support survivors to maintain tenancy status in line with Domestic Abuse Act 2021

Priority four: Building an accountable community and changing perpetrator behaviour

No	Action	Intended Outcome
4.1	Work with communities via forums and public events to change the culture and beliefs that underpin VAWG, DA and SV using education and awareness to shift attitudes	Improved understanding of VAWG, DA and SV within communities, with a shift in cultural norms and beliefs that contribute to VAWG, DA and SV
4.2	Support Sussex Police to offer behaviour change interventions at the Custody Suite, ensuring earlier stage interventions to address abusive behaviour	Perpetrators are offered an intervention to change behaviour at an earlier stage, reducing risk of future harm.
4.3	Work with Children’s Services to collaborate and develop policies and processes in place for assessing and working with perpetrators of domestic abuse and other forms of VAWG, DA and SV when safeguarding children and the non-abusing parent.	Improved practitioner response to safeguarding risks and better understanding of abusive or neglectful parenting in VAWG, DA and SV contexts. Dissemination of information to change the beliefs that underpin VAWG, DA and SV.
4.4	Scope and develop a Men in Sheds initiative locally at Jubilee Library to educate men on perpetrator behaviour and increase awareness of support services for male victims.	More male victims of VAWG, DA AND SV can come forward to be supported.
4.5	Continue to fund behaviour change programmes including adults, young people, and LGBTQ+ perpetrators, ensuring long-term support for behaviour change.	Behaviour change programmes are accessible for all perpetrators, with a focus on sustainability and addressing diverse needs, including LGBTQ+ perpetrators.
4.6	Support the forthcoming Safer Streets programme	The Government has confirmed that the Safer Streets programme will be the funding for their delivery of their mission to halve VAWG, DA and SV in 10 years. Details to be announced but previous funding has linked to safety in public spaces and limiting perpetrator's ability to act in public spaces