Strategy will tackle recent rise in abuse at home cases
COUNCILLORS ARE TOLD DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS RISING SINCE APRIL
THE extent of domestic abuse in the East Riding has been revealed at a council cabinet meeting.
Cabinet members heard East Riding Council’s Domestic Violence and Abuse Partnership (DVAP) handled up to 200 referrals a month from April 2019 to 2020. The overall figure of 2,168 for that period fell year-on-year from 2,251.
Both referrals and cases have increased since the end of April. A council report stated the rise could be due to victims being able to report abuse as coronavirus lockdown restrictions eased.
Local figures showed wards in Bridlington, Holderness, Goole and that of Minster and Woodmansey outside Beverley had the highest rates of domestic abuse.
Council Communities and Environment director Paul Bellotti told councillors the figures referred only to cases officials had been made aware of.
Council leader Cllr Richard Burton said it was “vital” all councillors and staff play a role in tackling the issue. The meeting saw the cabinet approve a draft Domestic Abuse Strategy which would run up to 2023 if fully adopted.
The strategy would see the council work with police officers, teachers, health workers and others who could alert the authority if they notice signs of abuse in a resident.
It also focuses on “hard to reach” groups, including male victims, members of the LGBTQ community, parents, the disabled, victims from ethnic or cultural minorities and those in rural areas.
Officers told cabinet members the council’s new domestic abuse strategy had been drafted following a review which ran from October to February. The review was endorsed by Safelives, a national abuse charity.
The new strategy would see the council work with other public agencies and services to prevent and respond to domestic abuse cases.
The council would also focus on protecting victims and rehabilitating them and perpetrators.
A council report stated there was a 50 per cent increase in referrals for domestic abuse at the end of April compared to the previous year. Figures for May and June were also up 50 per cent year-on-year.
It added 43 domestic abuse cases were recorded in August, up from 23 in the same month last year. June and July saw increases in cases year-on-year from 22 to 36 and 22 to 39 respectively.
Council Health and Social Care portfolio holder Cllr Julie Abraham said she was reassured by plans to work across public bodies to tackle the issue.
Cllr Abraham said: “This is a dreadful issue, it’s impossible to comprehend what some people go through.”
Cllr Burton said he would be in favour of holding seminars for all council members so they could also spot signs of abuse in residents.
He said: “Early intervention will be crucial in stopping this. Other members should be aware of such an important piece of work.”