Agenda item - Presentation(s)

Presentation by Representatives of RISE, Women’s Aid Centre, Updating on their work and focusing on trauma work and the trauma pathway going forward .

Following the presentation there will be the opportunity for Members to ask questions

57.1    The Chair, Councillor Daniel, welcomed Jo Gough notation of RISE who gave a presentation in relation to the perpetration of domestic abuse, the trauma it created and the ways in which RISE sought to support victims and to address these issues. Ms Gough explained that “trauma” could be categorised as an emotional shock following a stressful event or a physical injury which could lead to long term neurosis. Coercive control was often a feature in creating trauma and was characterised by an act or pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that was used to harm, punish or frighten their victim.

57.2    It was a staggering fact that in 2017 alone 184 people had died in Europe as victims of terrorism, 3,000 women had died as a result of femicide (domestic violence). Ms Gough went on to explain that there were three distinct stages of recovery and outlined work carried out to assist those referred to them in the recovery process. Ms Gough concluded her presentation by explaining that RISE a Brighton and Hove Based Sussex wide service had been in existence for 25 years and detailed the broader based work carried out by the organisation and their continuing ethos going forward to foster freedom from abuse and violence.

57.3    The Chair and Members thanked Ms Gough for her informative presentation and commended the on-going support for victims and valuable work carried out by RISE.

57.4    RESOLVED – That the contents of the presentation be received and noted.