Pledge to tackle rural domestic violence in Gloucestershire
Hundreds of incidents were reported last year
A campaign has been launched to tackle domestic abuse in rural Gloucestershire as hundreds of incidents were reported last year.
Tewkesbury Borough Council has pledged to do more in addressing this problem by training staff, councillors and encouraging parish councils to take up the training.
The Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS) helpdesk dealt with over 788 incidents of domestic abuse in the Tewkesbury borough in 2023.
With 135 relating to people who have been assessed as being in immediate danger.
Domestic abuse is not always carried out by a partner, it could be an ex-partner or a family member.
It also includes forced marriage and female genital mutilation. It can happen to people who identify as straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
The National Rural Crime Network (NRCN) has a shocking picture of domestic abuse in rural Britain with hidden victims – isolated, unsupported, and unprotected – who are being failed by the system, services, and those around them.
Councillors are concerned that domestic abuse lasts on average 25 per cent longer in most rural areas and isolation is used as a weapon by abusers.
A motion, put forward by Councillor Liz Skelt (LD, Churchdown St John) which called on the council to implement its first priority of the prevention and early Intervention section of the Gloucestershire Domestic abuse strategy, also raised concerns over the underfunding of rural policing.
Her motion also said a strong community spirit is one of the joys of rural life, but it can be equally powerful in keeping domestic abuse hidden and in facilitating abuse. And support services are scarce in rural areas and much harder to find and engage with than in an urban setting.
Cllr Skelt said it was once believed that this kind of view didn’t really exist in rural communities. But she told the council that a recent study by the National Crime Rural Crime says not only does it exist but it is far worse in rural areas.
“There is more isolation, with less police and support places, poor internet and mobile phone coverage and less public transport transport,” she said.
“Domestic abuse on the rise, one in seven men and one in four women are now statistically likely to be victims of domestic abuse in England and Wales.
“According to domestic abuse charities, men are far less likely to report a and far more likely to consider suicide as a way of escape.
“I spoke to the programme manager from the Gloucestershire House of Partnerships who helped lay out the domestic abuse strategies and they have nothing but praise for the officers who deal with the victims of domestic abuse, especially the emergency housing.
“We should be really proud. We have dedicated people working with us. We need to implement this section of the domestic strategy so we can help the victims access the extra services we have at our council.”
The council voted unanimously to approve the motion. They agreed to provide training for all management and frontline staff at the authority.
And to give all Borough Councillors the opportunity to book their own training sessions if they wish to.
Council leader Richard Stanley (LD, Cleeve West) will also write to all town and parish councils encouraging staff and councillors to book training sessions. And they will join the campaign to tackle rural domestic abuse.
Information and help for people who are suffering from domestic abuse or know somebody who is can be found on the council’s website here. And the Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS) provides an outreach service in all districts.