Swansea’s battle against domestic abuse is to step up a gear as plans to tackle the issue over the next three years are unveiled.
The Swansea Domestic Abuse Forum, part of Safer Swansea Partnership, has drawn up their vision to develop services to reduce the level and impact of verbal, psychological, sexual, financial and physical abuse in the home.
The Domestic Abuse Strategy 2010 to 2013 will go before Swansea Council’s Cabinet for approval when it meets on Thursday February 18.
Cllr Alan Robinson, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Regeneration, said: “As part of the Safer Swansea Partnership, Swansea Council is determined to tackle domestic abuse and build on what’s been achieved so far.
“While we simply do not have the resources to do everything we would like to do, this latest action plan is yet another major step forward in making the best use of the resources we have got.
“As a Local Authority we will continue to drive forward this issue.”
Chief Superintendent Mark Mathias, Chairman of the Safer Swansea Partnership, said: “Domestic abuse will not be tolerated and I see this strategy as a cornerstone strategy in ensuring that all members of society are safe, secure and protected from crime.”
Thousands of domestic abuse incidents are reported to South Wales Police annually and to voluntary agencies such as Swansea Women’s Aid each year. There have been 4,029 this year and many more cases go unreported.
Almost half of the 14,000 calls to the Wales Domestic Abuse helpline originate from South Wales.
Welsh Women’s Aid estimates as many as 150,000 children and young people are affected by domestic abuse in Wales at any one time. Every week in the UK two women are killed by their partner or former partner in domestic abuse incidents.
The new strategy builds on the achievements in the Swansea area since 2006.
Major developments include the Specialist Domestic Violence Court where agencies work together to identify, track and risk access domestic abuse cases, support people experiencing domestic abuse and share information better so more offenders are brought to justice.
Over 500 women and one man were referred to the Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate Project last year. This is the project that supports people through the court process.
A Sexual Assault Referral Centre has also been established. This is a one-stop shop for victims of sexual assault and rape where they can receive medical care, therapeutic services and police intervention if needed.
Other measures include the development of additional safe houses and refugees through Swansea Women’s Aid, BAWSO and MEWN including places for ethnic minority women fleeing domestic abuse and forced marriages.
A Safety and Security Scheme has been launched by Swansea Council’s housing services and its Safer Swansea Partnership partners to prevent homelessness among those experiencing or fleeing domestic abuse.
A dedicated domestic abuse worker for children and young people has been employed through Swansea’s Info-Nation to raise awareness and provide support.
The new strategy also aims to bridge gaps in services based on feedback from local domestic abuse survivors.
The focus is on prevention, accommodation, support, protection and making abusers accountable.
It aims to progress work in areas such as services and support for children whose lives are affected by domestic abuse.
Work will take place to further reach anyone affected by abuse including minority and vulnerable groups such as men, students and trafficked women as well as older and disabled people.
The links between domestic abuse and substance misuse and mental health issues will also be explored.
