To approve the  Domestic Abuse Strategy for Herefordshire 2025 to 2028, in accordance with the requirements of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

ChildrenCHTHE MEMBER the The member for adults, health and wellbeing introduced the report.  It was highlighted that the strategy had been developed through consultation and engagement with the community, local providers, services and people who had lived experience of domestic abuse.

It was noted that engagement with people with lived experience of domestic abuse and victims continues through the year by LEAN (Lived Experience Advisory Network).

The strategy sets out a vision for Herefordshire which is to be a county where domestic abuse is not tolerated and where everyone can live free from abuse and harm.

It was noted that the strategy has four overarching priorities (1) improving the awareness and prevention (2) improving and understanding of domestic abuse and support services (3) improve joint working and coordination across services and (4) to hold perpetrators to account for their behaviour.  An action plan had been developed incorporating a number of outcomes below each priority area and the Local Partnership Board will be responsible for monitoring and measuring progress against these outcomes.

It was confirmed that data referenced on page 8 referred to local statistics. On page 13 data regarding intimate partner violence, suicidal, and self-harm research were National Statistics. Within the needs assessments the data sources listed all related to Herefordshire unless otherwise stated. 

Comments from cabinet members.  It was positively noted for the lived experience to have been captured within this strategy.  The sanctuary scheme was a good scheme to give options for victims to remain in the home.  It was important to raise the understanding of what is domestic abuse including coercive control.  The ‘cut it out’ scheme was positively highlighted and queried if it would be taken forward and grown to increase awareness of it. 

It was confirmed that the council would like to roll out the ‘cut it out’ scheme to wider businesses.  Whilst increasing awareness may see an increase in numbers that would be positive, as it would mean more awareness was being raised. 

It was confirmed that children’s services have conducted two workshops to complete a specific children’s plan that would report into the Domestic Abuse Partnership Board. 

Group leaders gave the views of their groups. The strategy was welcomed; it was noted to be a good and solid strategy. It was positively acknowledged that important schemes such as ‘ask Angela’ and ‘cut it out’ were highlighted.  It was raised that abuse takes place in more than the domestic environment, including towards council staff and queried if staff were receiving the right amount of training

Several queries were raised; whether the council’s health partners could be encouraged to establish a sexual assault referral center in Herefordshire, if the council has enough housing for those in domestic abuse situations and if there were any face-to-face training available in Herefordshire for members to participate in.  Clarification was sought regarding the membership of the Local Partnership Board. 

A request was made to ensure that schools were providing information regarding domestic abuse and positive relationships as this would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18