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Council to commit to continuing to support victims of domestic abuse
29/09/2022
Eddie Reeves: “Tackling domestic abuse is a significant priority for us and our partners”
Cherwell District Council is set to reaffirm its financial contribution to the countywide service that supports domestic abuse victims. At a meeting of the Council’s Executive next Monday (October 3) Councillors are set to rubber stamp their £25,000 contribution to the service’s costs.
Councillors will also receive updates on work that is going on to meet new legal duties under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
The law says that councils must provide safe accommodation so that victims of domestic abuse and their families have somewhere to go when they escape an abuser. Cherwell is a member of the Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Strategic Partnership, which also includes representation from victim-survivors, the NHS, and the voluntary and community sector.
The contract for domestic abuse services is currently held by Oxfordshire County Council which funds it alongside the district and city councils, and the Police and Crime Commissioner. The contract, which is worth £655,000, is due to expire next April.
Work is underway to prepare to go out to tender for a new contract. The intention is that the new service will provide accommodation, refuge, advocacy, and prevention and other services.
In addition Cherwell is set to recruit a domestic abuse lead officer to support the work with partners across the local system, as well as to carry out educational work and support complex housing cases.
Councillor Eddie Reeves, Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities, said: “Tackling domestic abuse is a significant priority for us and our partners in the Cherwell Community Safety Partnership as we work to make Cherwell a safer place.
“People can become victims of domestic abuse regardless of their age, income, background or profession. As well as physical violence, domestic abuse also includes coercive control, emotional and financial manipulation.
“We will continue to stand by anyone who suffers from these forms of abuse and I am very happy therefore that Cherwell District Council is set to renew the funding it gives to the Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Service.”
People can get free and confidential advice from the Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Service Helpline on 08007 310055. Anybody in immediate danger should contact emergency services on 999.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam