Domestic Abuse Policy launched as district faces “worrying” levels
04/09/2025
“Some of the figures that we’ve been provided by Thames Valley Police are worrying”
There is a higher rate of domestic abuse in the Cherwell District than in other parts of Oxfordshire.
With this in mind a new policy has been launched, aiming to deliver sensitive and tailored support to those who are subjected to the abuse.
The council has a dedicated domestic abuse coordinator and provides people who experience domestic abuse with housing advice and assistance. Staff will help connect people with other local support services – many of which are delivered by Oxfordshire County Council.
They can help survivors access legal advice around injunctions, non-molestation orders and tenancy or mortgage advice.
The council will sensitively tailor the handling of housing cases to accommodate survivors’ individual needs.
Cherwell’s Executive approved its new Domestic Abuse Policy at a meeting on Tuesday. Councillor Lesley McLean proposed the policy and told the meeting: “Some of the figures that we’ve been provided by Thames Valley Police … are worrying and it’s something that we as an Executive are very concerned with and want to dive more into the details of exactly what that means for us locally.”
Speaking after the meeting Councillor Nick Cotter, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “No-one in our district should be living in fear of violence at home – whether physical or psychological, and this new policy is all about making sure people feel confident when they get in touch with us for support with housing matters or for help with escaping domestic abuse. We will seek to remove barriers to reporting domestic abuse to the police and support victims in seeking justice.”
A range of information about local support for domestic abuse victims is available here.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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