RAPID (Rapid Domestic Abuse Intervention Project)

RAPID is a new project, funded by the National Lottery, working in conjunction with South Wales Police, designed to transform police approaches to tackling domestic abuse and improving victim safety and experience, leading to:

• Increased education and awareness of domestic abuse, coercive control, stalking and harassment for Police Officers
• Improved victim experience following an incident of domestic abuse, coercive control, stalking and harassment which results in increased confidence to report
• Enhanced safety for victims of domestic abuse, coercive control, stalking and harassment, and their children
• The voice of survivors being heard and listened to in order to transform and enhance approaches to tackling domestic abuse, coercive control, stalking and harassment

The project enhances police knowledge, understanding, skills and procedures in dealing with all forms of domestic abuse, and creates a clearer pathway for victims to navigate available support and understand how the criminal justice system works.

This is achieved through two key areas of activity:

1. The employment of 3 Domestic Abuse Rapid Support Officers and 1 Senior Officer to attend incidents relating to domestic abuse, coercive control, harassment and stalking alongside Police Officers to provide victim advocacy and support at the point of incident, so they’re more likely to engage with support services and the criminal justice system, reducing the likelihood of future incidents.
2. Developing and delivering training on domestic abuse, coercive control, sexual violence, stalking and harassment with South Wales Police to Police Officers and PCSO’s which is specifically designed for the Police force, incorporating specialist domestic abuse knowledge alongside expert internal knowledge on Police systems, policies, procedures and culture. In particular, this will include content around a shift in focus of physical violence being the biggest indicator of risk and homicide. The training will also include education and awareness-raising of the specific barriers which may be encountered by marginalised victims of domestic abuse including; LGBTQI, disabled, older, male victims, and those who are Asian, Black or from other minority ethnic communities.

As part of this project, we are seeking to establish a survivor consultation group to help develop and deliver the training to the police officers, bringing lived experience to enhance the message. The Senior Domestic Abuse Rapid Support Officer will support the steering group to ensure that they are ready, willing and able to participate. Training will also be offered where required. If you would like to take part in the steering group, please contact [email protected]

RAPID is funded through a National Lottery grant. You can read about our successful bid here