Continuing to raise awareness of domestic abuse, making sure children are not its forgotten victims, and helping people affected to re-build their lives, are key elements of a new multi-agency plan.
The plan will further strengthen Kent and Medway’s response to this appalling crime.
Domestic abuse can affect anyone and take many forms, including physical violence, sexual, psychological, emotional abuse or coercive and controlling behaviour – such as keeping a tight hold on finances to make it hard for someone to leave a relationship.
It’s also widespread, annually impacting at least 2.4million people in the UK; Kent Police receives more than 40,000 calls relating to domestic abuse a year.
Now the Kent and Medway Domestic Abuse Partnership is launching its strategy for 2024-2029 to build on its collective efforts to date.
Made up of 21 organisations, the partnership works together to reduce domestic abuse, hold abusers to account for their actions, and ensure anyone affected gets the right support, quickly.
Members include Kent Police, Kent County Council (KCC), Medway Council, district and borough councils, Kent Fire and Rescue, the Probation Service, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, the Probation Service and the NHS.
Among the many initiatives delivered through its initial strategy are an annual ‘Domestic Abuse Aware’ campaign, training to enable people to recognise and reduce abuse – and educational resources for schools designed to help young people examine healthy relationships, online harms, cyber safety and cyber bullying.
Now the new strategy, grounded in the knowledge of people who have experienced abuse, focuses on further work to prevent domestic abuse happening in the first place and intervening early to reduce incidents.
Additionally shaped by wider community and expert views given during public consultation, the plan also looks at future ways to meet peoples’ immediate needs when abuse is happening and support survivors through long-term recovery.
I felt included and listened to
Sarah, one of many who shared their personal history to help develop the strategy, said: "I felt included and listened to. I'm hopeful the feedback we gave will have a positive impact on plans to tackle domestic abuse."
Committed to protecting and safeguarding
Assistant Chief Constable Simon Wilson of Kent Police, Chair of the Kent & Medway Domestic and Sexual Abuse Executive, said: “Domestic abuse has a devastating impact on people’s lives and affects people of all ages, genders and backgrounds. It has a disproportionate impact upon women and girls and significantly harms children living in households where domestic abuse takes place. Kent Police and its partners remain wholly committed to protecting and safeguarding those who are suffering from domestic abuse and who may feel they have no place to turn to.
“The Kent and Medway Domestic Abuse Partnership has developed a wide range of innovative measures to improve the support we provide to all those affected, including family members, friends, and colleagues, but we are not complacent and recognise there is always more we can do.
“On behalf of the partnership, I would like to thank the many people and organisations with experience of domestic abuse who so generously gave their time to help develop our latest strategy. We will keep learning from what you tell us to make positive change.
“No-one should experience domestic abuse and suffer in silence. If you are experiencing domestic abuse then please report it with the confidence that you will be supported and treated with empathy, understanding and compassion. For those who are responsible for committing domestic abuse, we are determined that you will be held accountable.”
Something nobody should have to suffer
Cllr Vince Maple, Leader of Medway Council, said: “Domestic abuse can happen to absolutely anybody, but it is something that nobody should have to suffer. Trying to prevent domestic abuse from happening in the first place, and quick intervention when it does, can save lives.
“For this to happen, we need as many people as possible to know what domestic abuse is, and where they can turn to for support and help if needed. This strategy is an important part of ensuring all partners involved continue to raise public awareness of the signs of domestic abuse, as well as the services on hand to provide support and help.”
Shared commitments
Roger Gough, Leader of Kent County Council, said: “We know from all the conversations that have taken place in the course of creating this strategy that the repercussions of abuse remain long after it’s ended and every survivor’s healing journey is unique.
“Key to recovery is having the opportunity to re-establish healthy bonds with family and friends, to reconnect with community and re-gain independence, confidence and trust and build resilience. It also involves supporting children and young people who have witnessed abuse to remain in school, have somewhere safe to live and thrive.
“Guided by the shared commitments in our plan, the partnership will work together to ensure anyone in Kent and Medway affected by abuse is helped re-build their lives.”
View the Kent and Medway Partnership Domestic Abuse Strategy 2024-2029.