What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence is ‘any incident of
threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical,
sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are, or have
been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or
sexual orientation’. Family members includes mother, father, son,
daughter, brother, sister, and grandparents, whether directly
related, in-laws or stepfamily.
Who is affected by domestic violence?
Responding to domestic abuse in Suffolk
In Suffolk we recognise that Domestic Abuse is a
complex issue affecting many people. In response the Community
Safety Unit is focused on enabling agencies to work together
effectively, to develop their workforce’s skills and knowledge, and
to ensure that all partnerships involved in making Suffolk a safe
place to live support the delivery of domestic abuse services.
Strategy and Commitment to Address Domestic Abuse
The multi-agency strategy 2008 – 2011 is focused on providing a
framework for working together to address domestic abuse in Suffolk
by coordinating the priorities of Community Safety Partnerships and
other lead agencies. Actions are based around three key
delivery areas:
- Prevention and Early Intervention
- Protection and Justice
- Support for Victims
Find out more about
the domestic abuse strategy
County Domestic Violence and Abuse Forum
The County Forum is multi-agency partnership with a wide
membership from statutory and voluntary sector organisations in
Suffolk that shares a collective commitment to work together to
combat all forms of domestic abuse.
Local Domestic Abuse Forums
Local Domestic Abuse Forums provide a focus for local
developments and have the lead role in delivering local publicity
campaigns and events, delivering ongoing activities to raise
awareness with staff, local organisations and communities.
Guide to Domestic Abuse Services & Directory
The purpose of this resource guide is to provide useful
information for partners and agencies in Suffolk to assist them to
provide services to those experiencing abuse. The guide
demonstrates the range of partner agencies contributing to
addressing the causes and effects of domestic abuse in the
County.
More information about the Suffolk response to domestic abuse,
forums and services is available in the
Guide to Domestic Abuse Services and Directory
Multi-agency training and development
The key objective of Suffolk’s Domestic Abuse
training programme is to improve the response to those experiencing
all forms of domestic abuse through training that informs and
develops working practices across agencies. Applications are
invited from all statutory and voluntary agencies. All
courses are free of charge unless otherwise stated.
More infomation about the training and development available,
including the dates when courses are running can be found on
the Domestic Abuse Training page.
For more information please contact
Shirley Osborne (Partnerships, including forums, training and
policy development)
Email:
shirley.osborne@suffolk.gov.uk
Marianne Fellowes (County projects)
Email:
marianne.fellowes@suffolk.pnn.police.uk
If you have been affected by domestic violence, confidential
support and further information is available from:
Suffolk Domestic Violence and Abuse Helpline: 0800 783 5121
National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Women’s Aid & Women’s Refuge:
Ipswich: 01473 745111
Waveney: 0800 5877 890
Bury St Edmunds: 01284 753085
You may also find these websites useful:
Policies and other related documents
Domestic
Violence Policy & Workplace Response to Domestic
Abuse
Guide to Domestic Abuse Services & Directory 2009 –
2010
Domestic Violence & Abuse: A Partnership Strategy for Suffolk
2008 - 2011