print version - BRIEFINGDAandASB

Domestic abuse, anti-social behaviour and the links to trauma

SKILLS BRIEFING

If you need further support, please contact the SPOC on 01384 455 411

We ask that you bear in mind your own wellbeing

Please be aware that this briefing will cover the topics of trauma and domestic abuse

Trigger warning

A recording of the briefing will be available after the session has ended

The session will run for 50 minutes with 10 minutes for questions - you will be able to contribute questions through the Q&A function

What can you expect?

Anti-social behaviour (ASB) tends to be subjective and affects people in different ways. It can encompass:

• Misuse of public spaces
• Disregard for community or personal wellbeing
• Acts directed at people
• Environmental damage

Defining and measuring anti-social behaviour, Home Office

How is it different from domestic abuse?

What is anti-social behaviour?

Anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse

There can be overlap between incidents of domestic abuse and anti-social behaviour, but there may also be misidentification.

"An incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a family member or carer."

Anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse

Women's Aid definition

How is it different from domestic abuse?

What is anti-social behaviour?

POWER

Interpersonal

Chronic

Trauma and DA

Kayleigh is new to the area because she has fled domestic abuse. She has an appointment arranged with her child's new social worker at the local family centre. Kayleigh's appointment is scheduled for this afternoon, so she makes her way over to the centre. However, an emergency has come up for the social worker and the appointment needs to be rescheduled. When the receptionist tells her this, Kayleigh is visibily annoyed and storms off swearing to herself.

QUOTES

BIOGRAPHY

Kayleigh

She feels powerless, like she did in her relationship.

It has reinforced her belief that she is not important and that no one cares.

It has reinforced her belief that she can't trust anyone.

She thinks that this is an acceptable response.

Kayleigh's underlying motivators

ANTI-SOCIAL

HostileAnnoyed AngryAggressive

Kayleigh's presenting behaviour

Autoimmune conditions ObesityRespiratory and cardiovascular conditions

Violence Aggression Threats Rage

Deliberate self-harm Suicidal thoughts and actions Eating disorders Addictions/substance misuse

Isolation Depression Disassociation Anxiety

Retreat

Harm to others

Illness

harm to self

illness

harm to others

RETREAT

harm to self

illness

harm to others

RETREAT

Trauma responses

Harm to self

Kayleigh is later contacted by the social worker who advises her that she will no longer be able to meet with her at the family centre because of her aggressive behaviour in the presence of children. She tells Kayleigh that her behaviour was unacceptable, but does not explore this any further with her. Going forward, Kayleigh only engages when she has to and develops no meaningful relationship with the social worker. She exits the support as soon as she is able to and it has little impact on her life.

QUOTES

BIOGRAPHY

Kayleigh - a mishandled response

Lundy Bancroft (2002). Why Does He Do That? Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men. Berkley Books.

"The damage done to the victim's ability to trust others is profound. Abusive relationships break down the person’s confidence in their own judgment, causing a lingering doubt that can affect all future relationships. Survivors often struggle to trust their own instincts and have difficulty trusting others, even when they are no longer with the abuser."

Long term impacts

Kayleigh is later contacted by the social worker who apologises again for having to reschedule the appointment. She asks Kayleigh if she is okay because she was informed by the receptionist that she had appeared upset. Kayleigh opens up for the first time to the social worker, explaining that everything just felt overwhelming and she had been looking forward to being able to talk to someone about it. She apologises for her outburst and says that she knows it was out of order. Kayleigh goes on to engage well with her social worker and gets a lot from the support in the long term.

QUOTES

BIOGRAPHY

Kayleigh - a positive response

Nicole Jacobs talks about this further in the Chartered Institute for Housing podcast: Considering ASB through a domestic abuse lens

Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales

“Often, domestic abuse and anti-social behaviour can be linked or co-occurring. Failing to consider and address domestic abuse when tackling anti-social behaviour can put a survivor’s safety and housing stability at risk.”

Understanding the context

Stronger grounds for eviction around anti-social behaviour and rent arrears

Removal of no-fault evictions

More security for renters

Renters' Reform Bill

Nixon and Hunter, 2009

Jackson, 2013

Women reported being held responsible for the behaviour of abusive partners/ex-partners event after they had asked them to leave.

4x more likely to have ASB complaints made against them.

A housing perspective

Sarah and her husband, Tom, are both accountants and live in their own mortgaged property. On more than one occasion, neighbours have called the police because they have heard shouting and disturbance at odd hours. Neighbours report having generally good relationships with Tom, but little to say about Sarah becuase they have no contact with her and believe that she may be quite difficult.

QUOTES

BIOGRAPHY

Sarah and Tom

When neighbours report Tom and Sarah’s frequent arguments, police visit their home, treating it as a case of noise disturbance rather than a potential domestic abuse situation.Tom is very apologetic and talks in euphamisms, implying that Sarah has mental health issues. Sarah is present but doesn't really say anything.The police decide to talk to Sarah and Tom separately. When alone, an officer says to Sarah: "We have spoken to your husband and your neighbours and understand that you have been having some difficulties with your mental health." They don't ask her anything about domestic abuse, but instead offer to signpost her for mental health support, which she accepts appreciatively.

QUOTES

BIOGRAPHY

Sarah - a mishandled response

Tom controls the narrative when the police turn up and when speaking to the neighbours. The police accept this version of events without question and fail to be professionally curious without exploring what is happening. They believe they are being supportive by offering Sarah help, but it has instead reinforced Tom's abusive narratives and made it harder for her to disclose.

Sarah believes that she is the problem because Tom constantly tells her this. He constantly belittles her and is coercively controlling. If she ever responds to this, he calls her 'mental' and mocks her, causing her to become more and more distressed, which is the source of the noise complaints.

What is actually going on?

Lisa Fontes (2015). Invisible Chains: Overcoming Coercive Control in Your Intimate Relationship. Guilford Press.

"Coercive control is designed to make the victim feel as though everything is her fault, from the abuser’s mood to financial problems, to how others perceive them as a couple. This constant blaming leads victims to internalize the idea that they are somehow inadequate or at fault, eroding their self-esteem and sense of agency."

The power of coercive control

Upon arrival, officers separate Sarah and Tom to ensure privacy, explaining they’re investigating a noise complaint. They ask Sarah if she feels safe at home, using open-ended questions. Sarah blames herself, saying she’s always causing problems. The officers become concerned about coercive control and suggest Sarah speak with her GP about what’s happening. They express concern about how Tom is treating her and provide information on support options. Back at the station, the officers document the conversation, noting their concerns, and discuss the situation with their superiors.

QUOTES

BIOGRAPHY

Sarah - a positive response

Mila is a single mother and lives in a council property. She has been experiencing ongoing disturbances from her abusive ex-partner, Mark, who frequently shows up at her home, shouting and causing distress. The neighbours have contacted the council multiple times about the noise.

QUOTES

BIOGRAPHY

Mila

When housing officers arrive, they assume the disturbances are a result of Mila’s failure to control Mark’s behaviour. They question her in front of her children, focusing on her "lack of action" in stopping him from visiting. The officers treat the situation as an antisocial behaviour issue, failing to recognise the coercive control dynamics at play, and inadvertently place responsibility on Mila.She becomes angry and snaps at the officers, saying that the neighbours are out to get her and that they are always sticking their nose into her business. She asks them to leave.Housing officers continue to receive reports from the neighbours and start eviction proceedings, as Mila continues to not engage with them.

QUOTES

BIOGRAPHY

Mila - a mishandled response

Mark has told her that the neighbours are always talking about her and complaining to him about her and her parenting.

Mila is frightened that she will be evicted and her children will have to live with their dad. She doesn't tell them about her ex-partner's behaviour, because she is worried that it will be used against her and that she will lose her property.

Mila is trying to protect herself and her children from Mark, but he keeps coming to the property and causing trouble. She lets him in, because if she doesn't he because extremely volatile.

What is actually going on?

Evan Stark (2007) Coercive Control: How Men Entrap Women in Personal Life. Oxford University Press.

“Abusers create a climate in which the victim feels that her world is defined solely by the abuser’s perspective and authority, with outsiders either irrelevant or hostile. This not only limits her options but compels her to adopt his worldview as her own, drawing her further into isolation and dependence.”

The power of coercive control

When housing officers arrive they tell Mila that they've had reports about noise at the property and are concerned for Mila's welfare. They ask if there is anyone she is afraid of and they explain that neighbours have concerns for her. Mila discloses that her ex-partner, Mark, demands to see the children and kicks off at her property regularly, but she's too scared to send him away. The officers reassure her, inform her of specialist support services that can help and advise her to call the police if she or the children are in any danger.

QUOTES

BIOGRAPHY

Mila - a positive response

Take a holistic approach

Be open to the complexity of circumstances

Keep clear, factual records

Be professionally curious

Be mindful of your own safety

Remember to:

All referrals, including self-referrals can be made via: Telephone: 01384 455 411 (24 hours) Text/Whatsapp: 07384 466 181 (9am-9pm weekdays) Webchat (see our website for details) If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police.

How to contact Dudley Single Point of Contact (SPOC)

Q&A

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