Safe Newcastle Domestic Violence Strategy - Newcastle City Council

Foreword
Who experiences domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is not limited to any particular
type of person or relationship. Anyone can
experience domestic abuse.
Research evidence indicates that the majority of
domestic violence is abuse of women by men,
but domestic abuse also occurs in same-sex
relationships, in heterosexual relationships when
As men members are abused of Safe by women Newcastle, and inwe caring fully and
support other family and relationships, endorse the Newcastle for example Domestic when
Violence grown upand children Abuse useReduction violence against Strategy their
2006-2008.
parents. Lack of relevant research means that
much less is known about these forms of
We domestic would abuse. urge everyone to read the strategy,
to discuss it and to sign up to being a part of the
implementation Acknowledging that process. domestic abuse affects a
range of people does not diminish the experience
Why? of heterosexual women survivors/victims.
The Domestic issue of abuse domestic also affects violence those and people of abuse who
within are not relationships being directly is abused. a clear priority It harms for children, the city of
Newcastle damages family upon relationships Tyne. and causes
Domestic friendships violence to breakand down. abuse Thewithin costsrelationships
to the
has survivor a significant and those impact around upon them the are lives extensive. of children
and Victims families and survivors from all social, do not religious, want to be and abused, cultural
groups. nor do they actively seek out violent partners and
The people, impact but of perpetrators domestic violence are sometimes and abuse skilled
affects at identifying everyone. people who may be vulnerable.
With Domestic the introduction abuse is experienced of a best value differently performance
indicator, according all toservices gender, whether age, ethnicity statutory, race, private,
voluntary social class, or independent religion or sexual will have identity. to work Societal
together oppression to tackle and discrimination, domestic violence such as and sexism, abuse.
Our racism effectiveness and homophobia will be monitored make harder and for
evaluated. victims andThis survivors opportunity to protect should themselves not be or
underestimated.
get support and therefore make it easier for
perpetrators to get away with using violence.
far left
Chief Supt Chris Machell
Northumbria Police
Acting Chair of Safe Newcastle
left
Who commits domestic violence?
Jacqui There Sirs is no typical perpetrator. Just as anyone can
Assistant Director of Children’s
Services become Barnardo’s a victim North of East domestic abuse, so
perpetrators come from a range of social
backgrounds, can be men or women, heterosexual,
right lesbian or gay. Research shows that most
Danny Ruta
perpetrators of domestic violence are men.
Acting Director of Public Health
Newcastle Primary Care Trust
Perpetrators choose to use systematic violence
We against want others to implement because the they strategy have learnt in a way that that this
makes enablesit them clear to maintain everyone their in Newcastle control. that they
have Perpetrators a part to make play in amaking conscious a difference. decision to abuse
people; it does not happen because they are out of
We control want or to because provide hope, they are safety, provoked. and justice to
all affected by domestic violence and abuse.
We Links also between want to be Child more Abuse aspirational in our
approach, and Domestic which Violence means we want to prevent
domestic There is aviolence strong link from between happening childin abuse the first and
place. domestic This violence will mean: which is now firmly
acknowledged and embedded in the Government’s
• Changing public attitudes and supporting
approach to safeguarding children. Research
safer communities
demonstrates that children and young people can
• be Working negatively with affected young people by domestic on respect violence within in all
aspects relationships of their lives, however service responses
are inconsistent and frequently fail to address
• Providing help for victims of domestic violence
children’s needs. Statistics show that 75% of child
and abuse as early as possible
protection registrations result from children
• experiencing Developing explicit or witnessing support domestic for children violence. who On
both experience a national domestic and a local violence level, and we know abuse that
• serious Preventing injuryperpetrators death occur re-offending as a consequence by holding of
domestic them accountable violence. for their actions
We Theare Adoption confident andthat Children if we work Act 2002 together established flexibly
and thatcreatively, children suffer if we harm are clear as aabout resulthow of witnessing the issue
of violence domestic andviolence abuse. The and Children abuse fits Act within 2002 our
respective imposes new agendas dutiesand on Local priorities Authorities and if we totake
ensure
responsibility local cooperation for implementing to improve wellbeing, the actions make
contained arrangements in the tostrategy safeguard we children can make and a to
difference. improve information sharing.
Chief Supt Chris Machell
Northumbria Police
Acting Chair of Safe Newcastle
Jacqui Sirs
Assistant Director of Children’s
Services Barnardo’s North East
Danny Ruta
Acting Director of Public Health
Newcastle Primary Care Trust
Newcastle Domestic Violence And Abuse Strategy