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 be a good investment in the younger generation.

More up to date data was requested regarding domestic abuse recordings in children social care referrals, as the current data was from 2022/23 and it would be helpful to see if there was a trend. 

It was positively acknowledged that the report took on board the contributions to involve the NFU and ‘we are farming minds’ to incorporate rural issues. 

Clarification was sought regarding the figures on pages 106-107.

In response to queries: It was confirmed that abuse towards council staff was logged and routinely monitored through the internal health and safety committee.  It was confirmed that victims of domestic abuse received priority for housing. 

Regarding the Sexual Assault Referral Center in Worcestershire, its focus was regarding the immediate response and standards for evidential integrity.  Ongoing support for victims is commissioned to be delivered more locally to where the victim lives or chooses to go.  It was confirmed that these are governed and reviewed at the West Mercia Strategic Sexual Assault Board which is hosted by the Police and Crime Commissioner and delivers against what is the NHS England strategy for the provision of support to survivors of sexual abuse and assault. 

It was confirmed that the statistics on pages 106 -107 of the agenda pack would be checked. 

It was understood that the Government would be introducing domestic abuse and awareness in schools through the curriculum to start from primary school onwards. 

It was also noted that the comments and feedback received would be taken before the Partnership Board for their action plan.

Councillor Gandy proposed the recommendations, and it was unanimously resolved that: 

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That Cabinet:

a)    The Domestic Abuse Strategy for Herefordshire 2025 to 2028 be approved for implementation;

b)    Approval of progress updates and any refresh of the associated needs assessment required, be delegated to the Corporate Director for Community Wellbeing in consultation with cabinet members during the lifetime of the strategy.