Domestic abuse is not acceptable. It affects the health and wellbeing of victims and is closely associated with child abuse and neglect, as well as issues including homelessness, substance misuse, and mental health issues.
We are committed to the long term prevention and reduction of domestic abuse. We believe that every individual and family in the town should feel safe and secure, and be free from experiencing violence or abuse. View our preventing domestic abuse strategy.
We have new duties under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 to support survivors of domestic abuse and their children with safe accommodation. This includes publishing a strategy and commissioning services. In January 2022, the council approved the domestic abuse safe accommodation strategy, which states how we'll make sure all survivors of domestic abuse, and their children, can access, and be supported by, safe accommodation-based services.