An estimated 21,500 adults in north and West Cumbria experienced domestic abuse in the last year – and a new five-year strategy has been launched to tackle the issue.
The community safety partnership for the area – led by Cumberland Council – has published a 14-page report about how it will help prevent abuse, support victims and bring those responsible to justice.
It said there were 7,000 ‘visible’ victims in the past year and an estimated 14,500 people who have not come forward. Around 3,500 were aged 16 to 24 and 5,000 were over 60.
Just over 30% were male and, the report added, 5,000 victims had a disability.
Emma Williamson, Cumberland Council’s deputy leader and portfolio holder for children’s services, family wellbeing and housing, said: “This strategy illustrates our incredibly strong commitment to tackling domestic abuse. It has been put together with the real experience of victims in mind, and it focuses on what they told us is needed, rather than what we think should be provided.”
The document will form the basis of an action plan.
The new strategy covers three areas:
- Prevention: This includes education on respect and healthy relationships; training for school staff to spot and respond to abuse situations; public awareness campaigns; ensuring organisations know how to direct people to support; supporting Clare’s Law (the right to know if a partner has an abusive past); supporting community projects which address abuse; and domestic abuse training for workforces.
- Support for victims: This includes safe, accessible, confidential spaces for victims; highly-trained staff; informing victims when an abuser is to be released from prison; routine enquiries by healthcare providers to spot abuse; making services inclusive and accessible to all; providing safe accommodation for victims; learning from reviews; recognizing children’s involvement in domestic abuse; consistent training across organisations; collaborating with specialist agencies, and commissioning new ones where necessary; ensuring organisations can support staff who are suffering abuse.
- Pursuing those who have caused harm: This includes prompt, high-quality investigations; working with the courts to ensure fair sentencing; accommodation and appropriate programmes to help stop reoffending; Training to help workforces identify perpetrators; strong multi-agency work to manage high-risk abusers; and addressing child-to-parent abuse.
The Cumberland Community Safety Partnership consists of these statutory partners: Cumberland Council, Cumbria Constabulary, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, The Probation Service, North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, and Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board. Other relevant agencies support its work and contributed to this strategy.
Support around domestic abuse can be found at victimsupport.org.uk, or by calling 0808 1689 111.
