Coventry Community Safety Partnership

www.safetotalk.org.uk

Reducing the number of victims of domestic violence and abuse has been identified as the top community safety issue for Coventry by the Coventry Community Safety Partnership. Overall violence has reduced significantly over the last 18 month as a result of the multi-agency "Not in my City" campaign. However, domestic violence and abuse still accounts for 31% of all violence in the City.  

Nationally 2 women a week are killed due to domestic violence and abuse. It is the biggest cause of death among 19 - 44 year old women, more than cancer or traffic accidents.

The Coventry Domestic Violence and Abuse Partnership is a multi agency forum in the city working together against domestic violence and abuse. Members of the partnership include a number of specialist third sector providers working in the Domestic Violence and Abuse field, Coventry City Council, West Midlands Police, Coventry Primary Care Trust, Probation, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Crown Prosecution Service, Housing, Magistrates Court.  

The new website, www.safetotalk.org.uk is being supported by a marketing campaign across the city, which will see compelling images appear on buses, public buildings and in male and female washrooms across pubs and clubs, signposting the new site. Some of the aims of the website are: 

 

To raise the issue of domestic violence and abuse within Coventry and make it a high profile issue.

 

To have a single place where members of the public and professionals can access advice, support and information on domestic violence and abuse that is accessible 24/7

 

To explain why domestic violence and abuse happens and challenge assumptions and myths about domestic violence and abuse

 

To enable victims to question whether they are experiencing domestic violence and abuse and identify with other victim's situations.

 

To give positive messages that it is possible to leave an abusive relationship or stop being abusive

 

To encourage victims, perpetrators and children to access help and support at an earlier stage

 

To signpost to domestic violence and abuse services so people have information on the full range of options available to them and can make informed choices to contact services when they are ready.   The new website has a number of built-in safety features, including a quick exit button and lots of advice for victims in how to cover their tracks with their browsing history. 

Cllr Phil Townshend, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Equalities said, "This new website is a welcome development for the city and brings together, in one easily accessible place, information on all the support services that are already in the city to help both victims and perpetrators of domestic violence and abuse, as well as national services." 

Cllr Ann Lucas, Holbrooks Ward Councillor and Domestic Violence Issues Champion for the city said, "all forms of violence in Coventry are unacceptable but domestic violence and abuse is of particular concern and can be challenging to tackle effectively, due to its often hidden nature behind closed doors. With many people now having access to the internet in their homes, I fully support this new website, which is both easy to use and has all the safety features built in that you would expect on such a sensitive issue" 

Amanda Carr, Coventry City Council's Assistant Director for Adult Social Care and Chair of the Domestic Violence and abuse executive Partnership said, "The creation of this website is a collaborative venture and we hope that with feedback from people using the site it will grow and improve further. The website will be a valuable first step in reaching out to victims, friends and relatives of someone who may be a victim to give help and information." 

ENDS: For more information and interviews contact:

Tim Coleman, Coventry Partnership Communications Officer on 02476 83 1743 0r 07967709931 E-mail: tim.coleman@coventry.gov.uk   

Notes to editors

The Coventry Domestic Violence and Abuse partnership is part of the Coventry Community Safety Partnership (CCSP), a statutory partnership which includes Coventry City Council, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire Service, Coventry Teaching Primary Care Trust, registered social landlords, Coventry Youth Offending Service, local service providers and representatives from the voluntary, community and business sectors. The work of the CCSP is guided by a three year local strategy (Community Safety Plan) that outlines how it aims to cut crime and anti-social behaviour and address drug and alcohol misuse. 

Domestic violence and abuse has been identified as the top Community Safety issue for Coventry.
Police respond to an average of 180 Domestic Violence and Abuse offences in Coventry per month
In 2009/10 police responded to 5,769 domestic violence and abuse incidents in Coventry
In 2009/10 Coventry police investigated 53 cases of Honour Based Violence.
In Coventry during 2009/10 under 16 year olds were present at 47% of all police Domestic Violence and Abuse incidents and children were most likely to be involved where physical abuse is recorded (51.6%).
In Coventry during 2009/10 the Joint Screening Team assessed 6915 children who were living in families where the police had been called to a domestic violence and abuse incident
Willenhall, Hillfields, Edgwick, Wood End, Henley Green and Manor Farm, Stoke Aldermoor and Spon End have the highest levels of domestic violence and abuse in the City.
During 2009/10 Coventry Safeguarding Adults received 147 Domestic Violence and Abuse referrals (31%)