A new five-year strategy has been launched to prevent and strengthen the city’s response to domestic abuse.
The five-year strategy brings together the council, police and partner organisations to strengthen protection, prevention and prosecution across the city.
It sets out ambitious plans to improve reporting, increase successful prosecutions and enhance support for survivors and their families.
Survivors have helped shape the proposals and will continue to guide the work through representation on the new delivery board.
The strategy includes work to eradicate domestic abuse in five main areas:
- Preventing domestic abuse – raising awareness, educating young people and training professionals.
- Support for survivors – providing early help, specialist support for children and safe accommodation.
- Accountability and behaviour change – ensuring perpetrators face justice and can access behaviour change programmes.
- Collaboration and community participation – strengthening partnerships with housing, police, health and community organisations.
- Ensuring a positive impact – improving understanding of domestic abuse in the city and tailoring support to local needs.
Councillor Lynn Watkins, Chair of the Stoke-on-Trent Domestic Abuse Partnership, said: “Domestic abuse has a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities.
“This strategy strengthens our commitment to preventing abuse, protecting victims and ensuring that no one in Stoke-on-Trent feels they have to suffer in silence. We are determined to build a city where everyone can live safely and with dignity, free from abuse.
“We will continue to work closely with charities and community organisations to ensure help is available when it’s needed most.
According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales, around 9.5% of women and 6.5% of men are estimated to have experienced domestic abuse in the last year. This is the equivalent of more than 20,000 people in Stoke-on-Trent. Despite this, domestic abuse remains under-reported, often due to fear, stigma, or uncertainty about available support.
The new strategy will change that by improving access to information and strengthening coordination between agencies. It also focuses on prevention, tackling the root causes of abuse through education and early intervention. This includes teaching young people about healthy relationships and training professionals to recognise warning signs, using a trauma-informed approach.
Detective Chief Inspector Shelley Burns, force lead for domestic abuse, said: “We do not underestimate the impact that domestic abuse has on victims and the wider community.
“The five-year strategy will bring together partners and ensure that we work closely to secure the best outcome for all involved whilst ensuring victims receive enhanced support.
“I would urge any victims of domestic abuse to report it to us, either by calling 101, anonymously via Crimestoppers or 999 in an emergency. You will be believed and we will take robust action against those responsible.”
Specialist support for anyone affected by domestic abuse in Stoke-on-Trent is available through New Era, a free and confidential service commissioned by the city council. Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for victims, perpetrators and their families.
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.
Ben Adams, Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire and Rescue and Crime, said: “I’m delighted to see the City Council continuing to work with partners and survivors to develop a local strategy in support of all those affected by domestic abuse.
“Victims can find it incredibly difficult to reach out for support and its important they know that help is always available to them, whenever they need it most.
“Additionally, for those looking to change their inappropriate attitudes and behaviours, specialist services are also available to help them to change.
“The New Era Domestic Abuse service, provided under a commissioned arrangement led by my office in conjunction with Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Staffordshire County Council, provides both a Victim Service and a Behaviour Change service for adults and children across our local area. Information on New Era’s services is available at https://www.new-era.uk/”
Information on services available is available at https://www.new-era.uk/
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