Issue - meetings

To receive a report on Domestic Violence in Cheshire East

The Committee considered a report on Domestic Abuse in Cheshire East from the Domestic Abuse Manager for the Cheshire East Integrated Safeguarding Unit and Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Partnership. The Principal Children’s Safeguarding Manager was also present.

The Officer presented an overview of the report. Members asked questions and the following points arose:

·         Funding for the Domestic Abuse Partnership was only provided for one year each year and the future of funding was unstable. This made it difficult to plan for and develop future service provision for victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse.      

• The Domestic Abuse Partnership wanted to provide more support for perpetrators of domestic abuse however were unable to due to lack of funding. The Domestic Abuse Manager suggested that by working with perpetrators they would be able to reduce the number of repeat offenders and help to protect victims of domestic abuse. 
  
  
• There were 5000 domestic incidents reported to the Police in Cheshire East, 35% of which were alcohol related. Mental health issues was also a factor in many cases. The highest number of high risk cases totalling 158 (2per 1000 population) which was shown in the table at 4.1, occurred in Crewe
  
  
• 2% of victims of domestic abuse use refuges for accommodation away from perpetrators. There was a refuge in Crewe for Cheshire East residents and residents from outside the Borough. Some victims required refuge further away from perpetrators for safety reasons which meant Local Authorities had to support each other by providing refuge for victims from outside their Borough.      
  
  
• Out of Hours services could provide emergency support in finding overnight accommodation for victims if necessary. Most of the services provided to victims who come forward for support were best provided to them during office hours.

RESOLVED:

(a)  That the report be received.          

(b)  That the Committee recommend to Council that funding for the provision of support to perpetrators of domestic violence to provided.

(c)   The Committee the Domestic Abuse Manager be requested to return to a future meeting of the Committee with proposals for funding to deal with perpetrator behaviour. 

(d)   That the Committee recommend to Council and its partners that the funding of the Domestic Abuse Partnership be budgeted for three years in the next budget to provide stability and increase confidence in the continuity of the work carried by the Partnership.