The report provides an update on the publication of Herefordshire’s Domestic Abuse Strategy 2025-2028, outlining the governance arrangements and delivery mechanisms that underpin its implementation.

The Chairperson explained that full Council (minute 25 of Council, 10 October 2025, refers (link)) had invited the board to re-consider the title of the strategy to highlight prevention, hence the updated title ‘Tackling Domestic Abuse Strategy’.

Kayte Thompson-Dixon presented the slides 'Tackling Domestic Abuse Strategy 2025-2028' (link), under the headings: Introduction; Vision; Definition of domestic abuse; Understanding domestic abuse; Voices of lived experience; Priorities; Links to HWB priorities: best start in life for children; Links to HWB priorities: good mental wellbeing throughout life; Links to other priorities; and Governance and measuring progress.

The principal points of the discussion included:

1.           The importance of listening to people with lived experience was recognised and it was noted that the Lived Experience Advisory Network was a primary method of engagement.

2.           Training and development opportunities for operational staff was a key feature of the delivery plan.

3.           References were made to the White Ribbon network and to the IRIS programme; the latter offered specialist training and support for GP practices.

4.           It was noted that health and care partners, as anchor organisations, had an important role to play in raising awareness and promoting pathways into support.

5.           It was confirmed that the children and young people directorate was represented at the local partnership board and work was being undertaken proactively; for example, an event was to be held in early 2026 for teachers around the promotion of healthy relationships, early identification and prevention, and access to support services.

6.           An attendee commented on child victims of domestic abuse, the need for training for police and Crown Prosecution Service staff, and potential linkages between the strategy and the neighbourhood health agenda.

7.           Challenges around data collection across services were outlined, including the local picture in terms of child and adolescent to parent violence and abuse.  The Chairperson, referencing the ‘Demographic and Composition Population Features of Victim / Survivors in Herefordshire’ section of the strategy, noted that one of the recommendations of the strategy acknowledged that ‘More accurate data recording is required in the future to provide more meaningful insights’.  It was reported that a briefing paper on child and adolescent to parent violence and abuse had been circulated within the children and young people directorate to support staff to identify issues and related matters were highlighted in workshops.

8.           The Chairperson, referencing the ‘Demographic and Composition Population Features of Victim / Survivors in Herefordshire’ section of the strategy, noted that one of the recommendations of the strategy acknowledged that ‘More accurate data recording is required in the future to provide more meaningful insights’.

9.           Overviews were provided of work undertaken with: housing providers, including on emergency housing, safe accommodation, and enabling victims to remain safely in their own homes; West Mercia Women’s Aid, including helplines, refuge, support services, and educational programmes; and Cranstoun in terms of the male victims service.

10.        Attention was drawn to the statement ‘Between April 2022 and March 2023, 42 men attended the Men and Masculinities programme in Herefordshire, with 20 completing the programme’, and a question was asked about the reasons for non-completion by some participants.

The Chairperson commended the report and the strategy.

Resolved:      

That the response to Domestic Abuse within Herefordshire be noted.

Action:            

Further details be provided about the outcomes of the Men and Masculinities programme, including reasons for non-completion of the programme by some participants.