FOI 789/25

REQUEST

1. Is it a standard provision or requirement in contracts with third-party providers of relevant services (e.g. domestic abuse services, victim support), for them to use the DASH risk assessment checklist as part of their service?
2. Is it a standard provision or requirement in contracts with third-party providers of relevant services, for them to use the DARA risk assessment checklist?
3. Please provide any other information that may provide helpful context
4. Is it standard practice for your frontline staff to use the DASH checklist
5. Is it standard practice for your frontline staff to use the DARA checklist

RESPONSE

We consulted with our Public Protection department who have provided the below response to your request.

Questions 1-3

DASH is a risk assessment tool, not a checklist. Support services may have their own versions of DASH.

Please note, South Wales Police do not commission all domestic abuse / victim services. You may wish to direct this part of your request to the Police and Crime Commissioner using the below email address:

[email protected]

Question 4

Yes, our officers do complete the DASH risk assessment tool (not a checklist).

Question 5

South Wales Police will be moving to the DARA risk assessment tool later this year in line with other forces across the UK. Once this happens officers will use DARA and not DASH.

Domestic abuse is core police business, and we are committed to tackling this crime - from call taking and first response by officers, to the investigation and the subsequent action to protect victims.  We believe that working in partnership is essential to ensure that domestic abuse becomes everyone’s business.  We work closely with a number of statutory and voluntary sector agencies in South Wales to tackle domestic abuse and the many forms of violence

Operation Amddiffyn is a vulnerability related training input that was provided to all officers and staff who work in public facing roles in South Wales Police during 2024. Coercive and Controlling behaviour is one of six key themes covered, to raise awareness with our staff and enhance our response to these offences.