We advance best practice on work with B.A.M.E male Domestic Violance victims and young people who use violence and abuse
Domestic abuse is currently defined by the Home Office (2013:2) as:
Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. This can encompass, but is not limited to, the following types of abuse: • psychological • physical • sexual • financial • emotional.
There is no official Home Office definition for BAME and for the purposes
of this evidence review, the acronym “BAME” stands for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and is defined as ’all ethnic groups except white ethnic groups, it does not relate
to country origin or affiliation’
Why we focus on BAME communities ?
BAME people face what Platt (2007:70) calls ‘ethnic penalty’, which is the poverty and socio- economic disadvantage that minority groups face as a result of their ethnicity. Structural Inequality for minority groups is pervasive and extends to the criminal justice system, healthcare, housing and schooling.
Within the criminal justice system, institutional racism against minority groups
has been well documented, particularly within the police force. ‘In comparison to the white group – [arrest rates are] twice as high for Black and Mixed ethnic women, and were three times higher for Black men’ (Lammy Review, 2017:5).
Whilst BAME people are subjected to over policing for certain crimes, Belur’s (2008) research highlights under policing of domestic abuse in minority communities due
to ‘cultural sensitivity’. The history of distrust between BAME communities and the police (Bowling & Phillips, 2002) translates to chronic underreporting of certain crimes within minority communities, resulting in many opting to use informal support services (Belur, 2008) or self-reporting to domestic abuse services (Imkaan, 2008). BAME men and are furthermore over represented in custody as highlighted by the Lammy review.
Our response to abuse in BAME communities
A starting point is understanding that BAME people do not always disclose abuse particularly to someone who might be classified as an ‘outsider’ It might therefore take more trust building,
At livity Haven, we are aware that some victims from the BAME community might not always be ready to disclose abuse, unless it is to another member of the BAME community due to reasons previously outlined. This is why we have local talent as well an exchange program where proffesionals from BAME ‘home countries’ can be sponsored to come to the UK and assist in couselling and other therapeutic support.
Livity Haven povides BAME men with a holistic model of support, which includes:
1. Crisis interventions/emergency support: support into a refuge or alternative accommodation; reporting to the police; emergency funding; help with child protection issues.
2. Advocacy: accompanying or representing men at child protection conferences; housing; legal support; and at other local services.
3. Practical skills: helping men live on their own; budgeting; housing benefits; setting up a house.
4. Therapeutic support: helping men and children in their recovery through peer support; counselling and psychotherapy.
5. Moving on: skills development; training and education; and the development of a social network.
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Our work with BAME Male Victims
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