Preventing and tackling domestic abuse by creating a joint approach across public services is a priority for the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Matthew Ellis, in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
The PCC’s office started and is driving the joined-up provision of domestic abuse services across Staffordshire, working in partnership with Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council. District and Borough Councils will also be involved in the work.
This will create a consistent approach to the planning and provision of support to domestic abuse victims to avoid the current postcode lottery of services with support that meets the needs of victims in each local area.
The PCC has committed £1.5 million over three years, including £500,000 this year, to the new service approach. Staffordshire County Council is also providing £600,000 this year while Stoke-on-Trent City Council will provide just over £520,000 this year.
Speaking as he starts a second term as the Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire, Matthew Ellis said: “Victims of domestic abuse and their families go through a terrible and often prolonged ordeal. They deserve better, more tailored services which deal with their specific situation.
“For the first time this will provide a consistent approach to tackling domestic abuse and supporting victims, no matter where they live in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. It’s about meeting the needs of families who can be under extreme pressure and making sure their safety comes first.
“Making sure that different organisations across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent work together to provide better services which are cost effective has been a priority in the strategy I set out in 2013.”
All domestic abuse services will be included in the new strategy which will ensure services are high quality, consistent and accessible – meeting the needs of victims, potential victims, their children and families and engaging potential perpetrators and perpetrators to prevent and stop the cycle of abuse.
Mike Lawrence, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for Children and Community Safety, said: “Domestic abuse can have terrible consequences for victims, families and the community and we are determined to play our part in tackling it.
“This is the first time there has been a joint commitment to work together across borders and I’m pleased it means people can expect the same level of help and support wherever they are.”
Councillor Randy Conteh, the city council’s cabinet member for housing, communities and safer city, said: “Domestic abuse is a devastating experience for victims and their children, and failure to address their immediate and on-going needs can have a considerable and long-term impact on their emotional wellbeing and health.
“Working in partnership with the Police and Crime Commissioner and other local authorities as part of an integrated service will help to ensure that the right support is in place for those who need it – when they need it.”
The new approach, which will become operational in early 2017, is part of wider work to support victims by the PCC.
Funding for the new approach is in addition to the Commissioner’s three community safety streams – the Locality Deal Fund, Proceeds of Crime Fund and People Power Fund – which provided £270,000 in 2015/16 to support specific projects helping victims of domestic abuse.
Intervening early, which is one of the PCC’s key priorities in the Safer, Fairer, United Communities strategy will be a crucial strand in this joint work.
The Staffordshire Victim Gateway was officially launched by the PCC last September to put the needs of victims at the heart of the criminal justice system. Staffordshire is the first area in the country to pioneer the new Citizens Advice Bureau-led approach which is unique because it is based locally, offering a tailored service for all victims.
The PCC’s office has also developed a scheme in partnership with Staffordshire Women’s Aid which supports domestic abuse victims in the workplace.
