New strategy to help victims of domestic abuse
A new strategy has been launched to to tackle domestic violence in Shropshire.
The new Safer Shropshire Multi Agency Domestic Abuse Strategy (2015 – 2017) was launched at Shirehall on Tuesday 19 May 2015, and involved talks from key partners as well as information and resources made available to help victims of domestic abuse.
The Safer Shropshire Multi Agency Domestic Abuse Strategy has been developed by the Shropshire Countywide Domestic Abuse Forum*. The strategy sets out the commitment of all the partner agencies to adopt a consistent and long-term approach to the prevention of domestic violence, and an effective response where it occurs.
The five key objectives of the strategy can be found in the 5 Ps:
- Prevention – improve prevention
- Preparation – increase education
- Provision – improve health and well-being of survivors
- Protection – working with perpetrators
- Partnership –improve partnership working
The overall aims of the strategy are:
- To improve services and support for all victims of domestic violence and abuse
- To develop and deliver a high-quality, co-ordinated multiagency response to domestic violence and abuse
- To further increase and develop awareness generally about domestic violence and abuse and the measures in place to help the victims
- To educate children and young people, and the wider general public, that domestic violence and abuse is wrong and is unacceptable, and to enable them to make informed choices
- To hold perpetrators/abusers accountable and provide effective interventions for their behaviour.
Karen Calder, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, and Chair of Shrosphire’s Health and Well-being Board, said:
“Abuse in the home is one of the hardest issues to talk about and it often takes tremendous courage for victims to come forward, seek support, and talk about their experiences. Domestic abuse effects both female and male victims, as well as the children whose development is profoundly affected if they are exposed to witnessing domestic abuse.
“We need to ensure we are working together to help those who suffer domestic abuse and sexual violence in every way we can within the resources available to us. I’d like to encourage as many staff to come along and find out what you can do to help and support the objectives of the new strategy.”
If you are concerned about domestic abuse and need advice, please call the National Domestic Violence 24-hour Helpline or West Mercia Women’s Aid Domestic Violence 24-hour Helpline on 0800 783 1359, or in an emergency dial 999.
Further information can be found on the Freedom Shropshire website at http://www.freedomshropshire.org.uk.
Freedom Shropshire is designed to enable people who live and work in Shropshire to access relevant and up-to-date information on domestic abuse.
People can also to give their pledge and sign up and say no to domestic abuse and sexual violence here: http://www.whiteribboncampaign.co.uk/makepledge.
Further information
Shropshire’s Countywide Domestic Abuse Forum is a multi-agency partnership that includes ‘specialist’ domestic abuse services: Refuge; South Shropshire Domestic Violence Services; West Mercia Women’s Aid; Shropshire Council services including housing support services, safeguarding, education, children’s centre services, community safety; West Mercia Police; Shropshire Fire and Rescue; and Community Health.
