Consultation over domestic abuse in West Berkshire
Council wants to hear from people to find out how best to support victims
West Berkshire Council is investing an additional £250,000 to further the support offered to victims of domestic abuse, including children.
The funding, provided by the Government, follows the passing of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which has resulted in new duties being placed on local authorities across the country to provide support to victims of domestic abuse and their children in refuges and other safe accommodation.
Domestic abuse remains one of the most prevalent crimes in England and Wales - an estimated 2.3 million adults aged 16 to 74 experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2020, of whom around two-thirds were women.
In light of the new legislation, the Council recently undertook a local needs assessment to determine the level of need across West Berkshire. The council has put together a Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Strategy 2021-23, to sit alongside its existing Domestic Abuse Strategy - the two strategies will be combined from 2023.
They are now running a public consultation to explore what support and safe accommodation needs to be in place, or expanded further, to make sure the needs of all victims (including those with protected characteristics and/or complex needs) are met.
Graham Bridgman, West Berkshire’s Executive Member for Public Health and Wellbeing said:
“Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, social or economic status, sexuality or background. That’s why it’s so important that we get as many views as we can from people to make sure we have the right support in place.”
How to take part
To comment on the draft strategy please go to: https://info.westberks.gov.uk/draftDASAS.
The survey will be live for six weeks until Wednesday 10 November and takes approximately 10 minutes.
What to do if you need support
If you are, or have been, a victim of domestic abuse and are looking for support, in a non-emergency, the council has a local domestic abuse service on 0800 731 0055 between 10am - 7pm, Monday to Friday. If safe to do so, you can also email das@a2dominion.co.uk.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police (press 55 if you are unable to speak on the phone where you will be assisted without having to speak).