Trauma-informed work at school - Operation Encompass: a successful collaboration between the police and education

Children who have witnessed or are exposed to domestic violence can suffer immensely. A study in the four big cities in the Netherlands showed that as many as 33% of children who witness violence between their parents suffer... [ view full abstract ]

Children who have witnessed or are exposed to domestic violence can suffer immensely. A study in the four big cities in the Netherlands showed that as many as 33% of children who witness violence between their parents suffer from stress-related symptoms.

Operation Encompass is a simple concept that can offer these children significant help: if the police visit a family home in the context of domestic violence, the police make sure that the children’s schools are aware of the circumstance before the next school day. The message given to the school is simple: this child had a stressful experience last night, we visited the location in connection with domestic violence, and this child needs some extra attention and support today. “Treat this child with a bit of extra care." This relieves feelings of stress the next day at school. 

In England, extensive experience has already been acquired with using this method. When Operation Encompass was trialled over a period of 322 days, the police received 222 reports of domestic violence in the pilot region alone (number of reports throughout Plymouth during the same period: 5,740). The reports in the pilot region involved a total of 350 schoolchildren, or 1% of the total school population. These 350 children received some type of support via the school the day after the incident.

If these percentages applied throughout Plymouth, it would mean that Operation Encompass could help 8,610 children every year. If extended throughout England and Wales, it would mean around 19 million children receiving assistance the day after being witnesses or victims of domestic violence.

In this presentation, we give details about how Operation Encompass was set up and put into operation in England. We also look at the current situation in the Netherlands.