Council in move to tackle home abuse
ANEW multi-agency protocol has been established to help to reduce domestic abuse and its effects on residents in Sefton.
The protocol has been developed by Sefton Council’s domestic abuse team on behalf of the Sefton Safer Communities Partnership (SSCP) as part of the local authority’s ongoing domestic and sexual abuse strategy.
Designed as a practical guide for any professionals to use when working with an individual or family where domestic abuse may be present or suspected, the protocol is now available online.
Sefton Council’s cab-inet member for com-munities and housing, Cllr Trish Hardy, said: “In Sefton, we have a shared multi-agency approach in place to support victims, respond to perpetrators and raise awareness among our communities and partners about the signs and consequences of domestic and sexual abuse.
“Victims are often afraid to raise this form of abuse, but we want our communities to know support mechanisms are in place.
“The new domestic abuse protocol is a vital tool to help organisations, groups and practitioners when supporting victims or the families of those who have been affected by domestic violence and abuse.
“By working with our partners, we will continue to work to prevent abuse before it happens, and, when it does, work to prevent it from happening again by making sure victims and their families are given relevant information, care and support all underpinned by a multi-agency approach.”
To view the full details of Sefton Council’s new Domestic Abuse Protocol, please visit www.sefton. gov.uk/behindcloseddoors