Have your say on domestic abuse services in the county

An online survey to understand domestic abuse concerns in Norfolk has been opened to the public, service users and professionals.

Commissioned by the multi-agency Norfolk County Community Safety Partnership (NCCSP), the feedback will be used to assess progress of the Domestic Abuse Change Programme, and determine what changes are necessary to meet the needs of people who are experiencing domestic abuse.

This is a follow up to the independent research conducted in 2015.

Gavin Thompson, chair of the Norfolk County Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Board and Director of Policy and Commissioning for the OPCCN, said: “Domestic abuse can blight the life of anyone from any background, and can have a profound effect on any children in the family.

"One in four women and one in six men will experience domestic abuse during their lives. This research survey is an important opportunity to take stock of the work we have been doing over recent years to improve our response to domestic abuse.

"We need feedback from the public, frontline staff in our services, those people accessing specialist domestic abuse services, as well as those who have not yet been able to access support. It is crucial that we regularly review how we provide services to ensure we support and protect those suffering from abuse effectively.

“This follow-up survey will help to inform whether people in Norfolk have an increased understanding and whether previous awareness raising campaigns have resonated with the public.”

The survey is anonymous. No one will be identified by their answers and participation is voluntary. Participants can skip questions or opt out entirely.

Research from the 2015 survey showed the importance of improving awareness of domestic abuse – not just for victims, but also the wider public, friends, family and work colleagues, as well as staff in our frontline services – who can be in a position to spot the more subtle signs of abuse and provide support for victims to access specialist services. It also showed that it was important that those perpetrating the abuse recognised behaviours that were not part of a healthy relationship.

Take the online survey here

The survey will be open until 31 July.

Domestic abuse can be any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexual orientation. The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to: psychological, physical, sexual, economic and emotional forms of abuse.