Rotherham Council’s Cabinet is expected to approve and adopt the Domestic Abuse Strategy for 2022-2027 at their next meeting on Monday 24 January 2022.
The Domestic Abuse Strategy outlines the support the Council aims to provide for people who are affected by domestic abuse, including physical, emotional and financial abuse.
Following consultation in November 2021, a new Domestic Abuse Strategy was drawn up by the Safer Rotherham Partnership – Rotherham’s community safety partnership which works with key services such as the Council, South Yorkshire Police and NHS Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group.
The previous strategy, which came to an end in December 2020, guided the delivery of significant work to reduce domestic violence and improve victim support in Rotherham.
Since 2017, the strategy has paved the way for a variety of support activities which have offered tailored support to victims, such as commissioning the “SAYIT” LGBTQ+ service, and developing perpetrator programmes for male, female, and young perpetrators across South Yorkshire.
The strategy has also supported development for training for members of staff in a range of public service settings, allowing for a coordinated approach to support for victims and perpetrators in Rotherham.
Rotherham’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Community Safety and Finance and Chair of the Safer Rotherham Partnership, Cllr Saghir Alam, said: “Since adopting the last Domestic Abuse Strategy, we have seen a great amount of support given to victims of domestic abuse, however, there is still work to be done to offer more support to more residents. Last year, Domestic Abuse support services engaged with over 1,500 service users and 150 people presented as homeless as a result of Domestic Abuse. The Domestic Abuse strategy for 2022-27 will allow the Council and the Safer Rotherham Partnership to develop our services further to make sure everyone who needs support gets what they need quickly, and tailored to their circumstances.”
Cabinet Member for Children & Young People’s Services, Cllr Victoria Cusworth, said: “The Domestic Abuse Strategy looks to support people who are victims of domestic abuse and also those who witness domestic abuse, such as children and young people. Domestic abuse not only affects individuals; it also affects families, children and young people, and our communities. No one should have to live in fear of violence, abuse or controlling behaviour in their relationship or family, and the Domestic Abuse Strategy outlines how we, as a partnership, can work to support those in need.”
The Strategy identifies five areas of priority for the partnership and outlines the activities for each priority. If adopted, the Council and its partners will look to focus on these five areas:
- Drive Change Together - providing seamless services for victims, strengthening governance processes and improving the way that partners work together.
- Prevention and Early Intervention - increase the focus on early intervention and prevention, which is not only about stopping Domestic Abuse but also preventing the escalation of abuse.
- Justice and Ongoing Protection - provision of effective, engaged, supportive, responsive, and timely protection and justice.
- Responding to Changing Need and Demand - working together to plan, deliver and commission appropriate services to meet needs.
- Minimising Harm through the Provision of Early Help Support for Children and Families -minimise harm, providing positive outcomes, and promoting equality of access for all survivors of Domestic Abuse.
- Providing Safe Accommodation and Appropriate Support - ensure that every victim of Domestic Abuse who are or have become homeless is provided with safe, supported secure accommodation.
For people wishing to access support or if you are worried about a friend or family member, you can get support by calling Rotherham Rise Confidential Advice Line on 0330 2020571, or by going to rotherhamrise.org.uk.
