Vulnerability

Question 1

What is the police definition of vulnerability

Answer 1

A person is vulnerable if as a result of their situation or circumstances they are unable to take care of themselves or others or protect themselves or others from harm or exploitation

Question 2

Why is it vital that the police have a common definition of vulnerability

Answer 2

To ensure everyone we help and assist is offered the same level of service and support. The definition is broad so can help as many people as possible and is very subjective.

Question 3

What is a DASH form and what is its purpose

Answer 3

A questionnaire filled out when dealing with domestic abuse/violence, stalking and harassment. Asks victim 27 intrusive questions to form a risk assessment and give case a risk level which increases based upon the amount of questions they answer ‘yes’ to.

Question 4

What is an Investigative Assessment Framework

Answer 4

Outlines actions/steps taken in investigation and in safeguarding victims. Shows what have and haven’t done to protect victim.

Question 5

Give 4 key examples of who may be vulnerable (not a conclusive list)

Answer 5

• Repeat victims of crime
• People with previous trauma (PTSD or earlier life experiences or certain triggers)
• Repeat victims of ASB
• Offenders ( those committing crimes can be vulnerable or may have committed crime as a result of vulnerability). Eg Lee Irving

Question 6

What situational factors make someone vulnerable

Answer 6

• Domestic abuse
• Family circumstances (eg young carer)
• Economic factors (eg debt, bankruptcy, struggle to pay bills, affects mood, decision making and can lead to suicide)
• Race (some targeted due to race)
• Sexuality
• Gender (misogyny)
• Lifestyle choice (alcohol, drugs, risk taking)
• Missing persons are assumed vulnerable until we can confirm they are not.

Question 7

Environmental factors affecting vulnerability

Answer 7

• Financial
• Children at risk (risk of harm, age risks)
• Location (cliff edge, bridges, offenders can be vulnerable due to area live in (eg if people find out pedophile lives in area)
• Asylum seekers (stereotypes, cultural differences, language barriers. Can impact short and long-term vulnerability, extra risk of harm depending on local opinions.)
• Homelessness (weather, elements, people take advantage, assaulted)

Question 8

Personal factors affecting vulnerability

Answer 8

• Dependancy (parents of young carers, parents struggling w/ parenthood)
• Physical health
• Mental Health (harder to see/identify)
• Personal trauma (can have shirt or long-term impacts.
• Offenders (exposed to CJS, why committed crime?, we’re they coerced or controlled?)

Question 9

Indicators of vulnerability

Answer 9

• Regular missing person (often children); if constantly going missing: are they fleeing abuse? Or being exploited or enticed away? Sexual exploitation?
• Truancy (school absence). Why? Escaping something or exploited or enticed away?
• State of home: not about your standards, but is about risk. Mouldy food, empty fridge, dog Faeces in cott, used needles, etc).
• Relationship (domestic violence/abuse, person may not yet be ready to leave relationship or to convict offender)
• Communication skills: lack of eye contact and comm skills not always just anti-police attitude, could suggest learning or MH issues.
• Risky behaviour (sudden change in behaviour, taking out of character risks may be a way of distracting self from other issues)
• Trust gut feeling and professional judgement. Act

Question 10

Options and considerations to have when trying to manage and reduce risk at scene

Answer 10

1. First aid
2. Consider health and safety of all parties
3. Take positive police action (could be anything from words of advice to remove someone from scene and take them to another address to making an arrest) All about reducing risk and safeguarding.
4. Referrals process
5. Involving other agencies
6. Changing locks on door
7. Get council to board up broke. window

Question 11

Examples of referral process

Answer 11

1. Child concern notification
2. Adult concern notification
3. Missing persons
4. Domestic abuse or violence
5. Sexual exploitation
6. Hate Crime referrals

Question 12

What are the 3 levels of risk

Answer 12

1. Standard (no intervention or real concern)
2. Medium (may monitor person, call or visit, keep eye on incident log, actively check risk)
3. High (regular police intervention, other agencies and police departments may be involved, worried person is at genuine risk of immediate harm)

Question 13

Before leaving an incident, what should we ask ourselves to ensure we have delivered highest possible level of safety

Answer 13

• Have I done enough to protect this person?
• What more can I do to help them?
• Do not leave referrals until later time as could have dire consequences if lack of action
• Do my actions align with Code of Ethics.