Smoke screen or leap forward: interagency initiatives as a response to domestic violence

Abstract

Multiagency work as a response to domestic violence now forms a prin cipal plank of domestic violence policy. This article reports on a major national study of the 200 or so multiagency initiatives currently existing. It discusses resources, possible competition with women's services, power, control and equality issues, and the role of government and the statutory sector. The potential marginalization of Women's Aid, and the issues involved in building a mainstream interagency response in which a social movement is centrally involved are discussed. Interagency forums are rarely accountable in any way to abused women and children who are often very little involved. However, the study found that some examples of innovative practice exist. Domestic violence interagency forums can clearly be a creative way forward, but can also be a smokescreen to disguise inaction.