Domestic abuse affects people of all ages, backgrounds and communities. This strategy sets out how partners across Stoke-on-Trent will work together to prevent domestic abuse, support survivors and their families, and hold perpetrators to account.
Our ambition is clear. Everyone who lives, works or studies in Stoke-on-Trent should be able to live safely and experience healthy relationships, free from fear or harm.
Introduction
Domestic abuse causes lasting harm to individuals, families and communities. It affects health, housing, education, the economy and the criminal justice system. Addressing it requires strong leadership and a shared commitment across organisations and communities.
This strategy reflects that commitment. By working together, challenging harmful behaviours and supporting those most at risk, we can create lasting change and make Stoke-on-Trent a safer place for everyone.
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is defined in law by the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. It includes a single incident or a pattern of behaviour between people aged 16 or over who are personally connected.
Abuse can take many forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, coercive, controlling or economic abuse.
Children who see, hear or otherwise experience domestic abuse are recognised as survivors in their own right. They can be affected even when abuse is not directed at them, and they have their own needs for safety, support and recovery.
Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, income or background.
Why this strategy is needed
Domestic abuse is widespread and often hidden. Many people do not report abuse, meaning the true scale is likely to be much higher than recorded figures suggest.
Local and national evidence shows that:
- Domestic abuse remains significantly underreported
- Younger adults experience higher rates, though abuse occurs at all ages
- Deprivation, trauma and inequality increase risk
- Children are profoundly affected by domestic abuse
Stoke-on-Trent has higher reported rates of domestic abuse than surrounding areas. This highlights the importance of continued awareness, reporting and access to support.
Domestic abuse isn't just physical. Tracking their every move, restricting them from going online and isolating them from family and friends are all forms of abuse.
"I didn’t seek help for a long time because I didn’t think what I was going through counted as domestic abuse. It wasn’t physical – it was isolating me, controlling my social life and leaving me constantly on edge like I could never get anything right. I didn’t realise how bad things had got until I said the words out loud to someone. The support I got once I opened up made everything easier to deal with."
Emergency help for all victims of Domestic Abuse is available at:
Our vision
The strategy sets out how partners across the city will respond together.
We want to eradicate domestic abuse in Stoke-on-Trent by creating a city where:
- Communities and professionals are informed and proactive
- Survivors are believed, supported and empowered
- Children are recognised as survivors and supported to recover
- Perpetrators are held accountable and supported to change
Our approach
We will take a public health approach to domestic abuse. This focuses on prevention, early intervention and recovery, alongside effective crisis response.
We will:
- Address root causes such as trauma, inequality and poverty
- Intervene earlier to prevent harm from escalating
- Work across health, housing, education, social care, police and the voluntary sector
- Support whole families and communities
Domestic abuse affects far more than the individuals directly involved. Its impact is felt across families, communities and public services, including health, safeguarding, housing and the criminal justice system. Understanding this wider impact helps us design more effective, joined-up responses.
Our Priorities
1. Preventing domestic abuse
We will work to prevent abuse before it starts by:
- raising awareness of healthy relationships and the signs of abuse
- supporting education for children and young people
- training professionals to recognise and respond early using trauma-informed approaches
- supporting communities, employers and services to play their part
2. Supporting survivors
We will ensure survivors can access the right help at the right time. Support will be flexible and accessible, aiming to prevent harm from escalating and to support recovery.
This includes:
- early help and preventative support
- specialist emotional, practical and legal support
- access to safe and secure accommodation
- tailored support for people with different needs and experiences
Children and young people are recognised as survivors of domestic abuse in their own right. This strategy commits to listening to children’s voices and responding to their experiences with support that helps them feel safe, recover from harm and thrive.
Adult survivors of domestic abuse may face complex and overlapping challenges, including health needs, housing insecurity, financial pressure and trauma. Adult services work alongside partners to provide coordinated, compassionate support that helps people regain safety, stability and independence.
3. Safe accommodation
We will make sure survivors can access safe and secure housing by:
- helping people remain safely in their own homes where possible
- providing emergency refuge and temporary accommodation
- supporting move-on into longer-term housing
- offering specialist housing options for people with complex needs
4. Accountability and behaviour change
We will reduce repeat harm by:
- working closely with police and the criminal justice system
- ensuring perpetrators face appropriate consequences
- supporting access to behaviour change programmes
- strengthening multi-agency coordination and risk management
5. Working together and measuring impact
We will:
- strengthen partnership working across all sectors
- ensure survivor voices inform services and decisions
- collect and analyse data to understand what works
- review progress regularly and adapt our approach
Governance and delivery
The strategy is delivered through the Stoke-on-Trent Domestic Abuse Partnership Board. The board works closely with safeguarding boards, health partners, housing providers, police, probation and the voluntary and community sector.
Getting help and support
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, help is available.
In an emergency call 999
Police non-emergency: 101
Local support services:
New Era is the holistic Domestic Abuse service operating across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. Offering help to all those affected by domestic abuse in Staffordshire or Stoke-on-Trent, New Era provides free and confidential support for victims, perpetrators and their families.
If you’re experiencing domestic abuse and want advice or support, or to make a self-referral, please call New Era on 0300 303 3778 (24 hours). For general enquiries about New Era victim services please email: new-era@victimsupport.org.uk
If you want support to change your abusive behaviour, please call New Era perpetrator services on 0300 373 5772 or email: behaviour-change@new-era.uk
Support is confidential and available to anyone who needs it.
More support services are available on our website here: Support Services | Stoke-on-Trent
Read the full Domestic Abuse Strategy by clicking the link below: