Domestic abuse has been identified as a
Council and Partnership priority and we have in place a very
thorough and comprehensive Strategy, which is due for renewal next
year.
The Covid emergency has led to a large increase in the number of
reports we have received in relation to Domestic Abuse, placing
increased pressures on our resources, which are operating in a
largely virtual way, apart from those cases where personal contact
is necessary.
The Covid restrictions have placed increased pressures on
households and families and have created an environment where
abusers and victims are within the same household for long periods.
This in itself is an issue in terms of delivering support and
making contact with victims.
During the current situation there is also a recognition that
mental health issues are becoming more prominent, as well as
increased levels of drinking in the home environment. Both of which
are known risk factors to consider within Domestic Abuse cases. As
children are also spending more time at home,potentially witnessing
abuse, we cannot ignore the impact upon children. There is an
expectation that demands upon our services will continue to
increase and we have plans in place to ensure we are able to meet
this demand. For example recruiting additional staff into the
Domestic Abuse Hub and Independent Domestic Violence Advocate
(IDVA) capacity.
Reported cases into the Partnership Domestic Abuse hub and Domestic
Abuse Caseworker (DAC) referrals have increased by nearly 20%
during the COVID emergency and the table below provides an
illustration of this change from 2019 to the same period in 2020.
The Domestic Abuse Caseworkers deal with medium and standard risk
cases.
See attached Officer Decision Record for full details.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 10/12/2020
Decision due: 17 Nov 2020 by Director of Adults, Health and Well-Being
Contact: Phil Holmes, Executive Director of Adults, Wellbeing and Culture Email: phil.holmes@doncaster.gov.uk.