Question
ACC Beck agreed to provide more details on ‘child aggravators’ covered in Langdale report (p72) and work taking place to address gaps.
Answer
- In response to the query raised regarding the application of the child aggravator as highlighted in the Langdale report the PSNI provides the following update on current initiatives and strategic action:
- Specialised training – Collaborative training is currently being delivered in partnership with Women’s aid focusing specifically on children as victims of Domestic abuse. This includes guidance on the new legislation to hold perpetrators to account for exposing children and young persons to domestic abuse.
- Technical integration – We are currently working with our ICS team to develop and implement a technical solution that assists officers in seamlessly adding the child aggravators to case files.
- Internal collaboration – A series of joint awareness sessions have been carried out between Criminal Justice branch and PPB to ensure Officers have the required awareness and confidence to use the aggravators.
- Custody policy enhancements – Child aggravator awareness has been formally integrated into custody policy and Custody Sergeant training programmes to ensure these factors are captured prior to custody disposal.
- Inter-agency quality assurance – The service level agreement between PPS and PSNI serves as a critical mechanism for oversight. This includes a robust quality assurance process to monitor the appropriate use of aggravators and identify areas for remedial action.
- Continuous improvement – The Domestic abuse policy team continues to conduct regular ‘dip sampling’ of cases to monitor if aggravators are being applied correctly and consistently across the service.
Linda Dillon MLA - Sinn Féin