Issue - meetings

Cabinet received a report which explained, in background information, that one in 20 adults were estimated to experience domestic abuse every year equating to almost 21,000 people a year in Buckinghamshire or 57 people every day.  It was a crime which disproportionately affected women, however it could happen to anyone anywhere irrespective of sexuality, religion, gender, ethnicity, income or age.

The impact of domestic abuse was far-reaching and long lasting, and could be devastating on physical and mental health with serious consequences for children witnessing domestic abuse. The pandemic had had an immeasurable impact and had been branded as an “epidemic beneath the pandemic”.

Buckinghamshire had many excellent statutory and voluntary sector services working well together but there was always more that could be done.  The Domestic Abuse Act had placed new duties on local authorities, one of which was to establish a local Domestic Abuse Board.  In Buckinghamshire this fell under the umbrella of the Safer Buckinghamshire Board.  This multi-agency Board had helped co-design a strategy and would oversee an action plan to commission and deliver support to victims and their children within safe accommodation services.  In drafting the strategy, the Board had considered research from the 2021 Director of Public Health’s annual report, the 2021 needs assessment and consultation feedback.

RESOLVED –

(1)               That the Buckinghamshire Domestic Abuse Strategy be approved.

(2)               That the allocation of domestic abuse grant funding, as detailed at Appendix 2 to the Cabinet report, be approved.

Cabinet received a report which explained, in background information, that one in 20 adults were estimated to experience domestic abuse every year equating to almost 21,000 people a year in Buckinghamshire or 57 people every day.  It was a crime which disproportionately affected women, however it could happen to anyone anywhere irrespective of sexuality, religion, gender, ethnicity, income or age.

The impact of domestic abuse was far-reaching and long lasting, and could be devastating on physical and mental health with serious consequences for children witnessing domestic abuse. The pandemic had had an immeasurable impact and had been branded as an “epidemic beneath the pandemic”.

Buckinghamshire had many excellent statutory and voluntary sector services working well together but there was always more that could be done.  The Domestic Abuse Act had placed new duties on local authorities, one of which was to establish a local Domestic Abuse Board.  In Buckinghamshire this fell under the umbrella of the Safer Buckinghamshire Board.  This multi-agency Board had helped co-design a strategy and would oversee an action plan to commission and deliver support to victims and their children within safe accommodation services.  In drafting the strategy, the Board had considered research from the 2021 Director of Public Health’s annual report, the 2021 needs assessment and consultation feedback.

The Cabinet Member reported that the Domestic Abuse Bill was signed into law at the end of April this year and the Council had received £850,000 from Government for levelling up Housing and Communities to address issues locally and to deal with statutory requirements set out for local authorities as part of the Bill.

During discussion the following points were noted:-

·         The Strategy would be communicated in a number of ways and a press release would be sent out following approval of the Strategy. Members had signed a pledge for White Ribbon Day and would help communicate information via Community Boards and town and parish councils. There would be lots of information about where residents could go for help and assistance, particularly a social media campaign to reach out to young women. It would be helpful if town and parish councils could put up posters in their local areas to help promote the Strategy. Local information was key.

·         One in 20 adults were estimated to experience domestic abuse every year equating to almost 21,000 people a year in Buckinghamshire or 57 people every day which needed to be reduced and also it was important to recognise that this impacted on men (one in six) as well as women and children. The commitments were welcomed particularly early intervention and prevention through engagement with schools which was a good vehicle to reach children. Teachers should have a discreet way of reporting any concerns.

·         In response to a question regarding a detailed smart action and delivery plan to support the Strategy this was being developed by the Service Area. The Chief Executive reported that this would be monitored by the Domestic Abuse Forum which was part of the Community Safety  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8