Safe Newcastle Domestic Violence Strategy - Newcastle City Council

6. Current Activity
Newcastle is currently under performing in some
of the key service provision areas which relate to
domestic violence. Historically, services in
Newcastle have developed without a strategic
framework or commissioning process leading to
responses that are in some cases of high quality
but in most cases patchy and inconsistent.
A recent audit commissioned by the Newcastle
Domestic Violence Forum and published by the
Community Safety Research Unit of Northumbria
University (July, 2005) highlighted notable gaps in
service provision which need to be urgently
addressed. The recommendations identified that:
i. A strategic partnership approach was essential
to the delivery of improved responses in relation to
domestic violence.
ii. The Newcastle Domestic Violence and Abuse
Partnership needs to establish a consistent
approach to supporting victims, raise awareness
of services and create a climate of non tolerance
of domestic violence across Newcastle.
iii. The partnership needs to address the following
key challenges:
– Appropriate support for victims, including those
within the BME communities
– Appropriate support for children who witness
domestic violence and preventative work in
schools and youth groups
– Measures that challenge perpetrators of
domestic violence, including the development of
non-court mandated group work programmes
– Suitable safe secure accommodation for victims,
primarily women and their children
In recognition of the need to improve responses
to domestic violence, the Local Authority has
demonstrated significant commitment to
transforming the delivery of services and
responses to those at risk due to domestic
violence by taking a lead role in coordinating multiagency
partnership and increasing the resources
available. It is envisaged therefore that during the
lifespan of this strategy Newcastle will dramatically
improve both its responses to, and its services for,
all those at risk due to domestic violence.
6.1 The Full Circle Project (renamed Domestic
Violence Protection Project) – partnership in
service provision.
The Full Circle Project is a multi-service 1 domestic
violence advocacy and support project funded by
the Neighborhood Renewal Fund (NRF). It has
been in existence since April 2005 and is a
collaboration between Victim Support,
Northumbria Police, Womens Aid, Panah
(BME Refuge) and Safe Newcastle.
Workers from Victim Support are co-located with
Domestic Violence Liaison Officers (DVLO’s) within
the Public Protection Unit (PPU), Etal Lane.
The project has a coherent strategy and policy
steer, provided by a steering group.
Aims and Objectives
Aims
The project aims to increase support to victims/
survivors of domestic violence by proactively
supporting them at the earliest opportunity.
Newcastle Domestic Violence And Abuse Strategy