First for Newcastle on Domestic Violence
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First for Newcastle on Domestic Violence
Newcastle’s first ever Domestic Violence and Abuse Strategy will set out how all services, whether statutory, private, voluntary or independent, will work together to tackle the growing problem of domestic violence in the city.
Over 34 thousand women in Newcastle will experience domestic violence at some point in their lives. This is according to recent research commissioned by Newcastle Primary Care Trust and Newcastle Community Action on Health. The research looked at the impact of domestic violence in the city and considered the support services available to the victims and their families.
Every minute of every day, the police will receive a call related to domestic violence. That is just the tip of the iceberg: Only a quarter of domestic violence incidents are reported to the police and every week 2 women are killed by their partners or ex-partners. Men can also be the victims of domestic violence. A British Crime Survey in 2001/02 found that 19% of domestic violence victims were male.
Children are also extremely affected by domestic violence. In 9 of every 10 incidents of domestic violence, a child or children were in the same or next room as the attack. This equates to 1 child in every 7 who is affected by domestic violence – both witnessing or experiencing – and this leads to stress, trauma, injury and in extreme cases even death. Other symptoms of experiencing domestic violence include children becoming withdrawn and finding it difficult to communicate.
This is the first time the City of Newcastle has put in place a dedicated strategy to try and address these alarming statistics. The aim is to prevent domestic violence from happening in the first place. This is being done by putting in place a unique partnership which will see the City Council, Northumbria Police, Primary Health Care Trusts, Education Authorities and Victim Support working together.
By sharing information and knowledge it’s hoped the strategy partners will be able to offer a considered and targeted approach to dealing with domestic violence. Currently around £12 million of public money is being spent on dealing with the effects of domestic violence in Newcastle. The introduction of this strategy to tackle the root problem of incidents actually occurring means this figure will be dramatically reduced in the coming months and years.
Lesley Storey, Domestic Violence Co-Ordinator for Safe Newcastle says, “At Safe Newcastle we’re striving to build safer communities but we are very aware that communities will never be safe when women and children are suffering abuse in their own homes.
“It’s for this reason we are here today to tackle domestic violence.”
Catherine Fitt, Newcastle City Council’s Executive Director of Children’s Services commented that, I am delighted to launch this important strategy for Newcastle. It is essential that domestic violence is tackled urgently in Newcastle for everyone's sake - but especially children and young people."
The strategy will be in place for two years.
