Domestic abuse and sexual violence
Domestic abuse and sexual violence affects tens of thousands of people every year in Norfolk. The scale of the problem combined with the impact it has on people, makes tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence a priority for everyone in the county.
To ensure that the response to domestic abuse and sexual violence and abuse is as effective and joined up as possible, the Norfolk Community Safety Partnership’s (NCSP) Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Delivery Group (DASVG), the Norfolk and Suffolk Criminal Justice Board (NSCJB), the Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board (NSAB) and the Norfolk Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSCP) have collaborated to create joined up strategies that sets the direction and coordinates the delivery of the partnership response to domestic abuse and sexual violence across the county. The strategy is influenced by the Government’s Strategy to End Violence Against Women and Girls, which includes Supporting male victims, as well as the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and Domestic Homicide Review Guidance.
The priorities for the group are:
- Improved partnership understanding
- Putting authentic voice at the heart of our response
- Changing attitudes
- Supporting victims and responding to perpetrators
- Early identification and early help
> Please contact us for a copy of the NCSP Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence strategies
Domestic abuse
Around one in five crimes reported to Norfolk Constabulary are domestic abuse related and the number of domestic abuse reports is increasing. However, a significant amount of domestic abuse remains unreported.
Part of the Partnership's coordinated response has seen the launch of the Norfolk Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (NIDAS), funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk, Norfolk County Council, Norwich City Council, South Norfolk and Broadland District Councils. The service offers free, confidential, and non-judgemental support to those affected by domestic abuse, including children, to help them recover and build a new life free from abuse. NIDAS is the first system of its kind in the county, offering a fully integrated service making intensive one-to-one support, a multi-agency response and help towards practical solutions available.
Sexual violence
Norfolk is committed to working in partnership to ensure a coordinated approach to prevent and respond to sexual violence, abuse, and harm. Sexual violence, abuse, and harm is unacceptable in any form and has a devastating impact on victims, survivors, family, friends, and wider society.
This dedicated strategy responds to:
- Adults, children, and young people who are or who have experienced sexual abuse and/or assault.
- Children and young people displaying harmful sexual behaviour
- Perpetrators of sexual abuse and/or assault
Where sexual violence, abuse and harm is experienced in the context of domestic abuse this strategy aligns with the partnership domestic abuse strategy. Sexual violence, abuse and harm also features in other NCCSP priority areas including County Lines, Prevent, (in the context of emerging Incel ideology), Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking and the pending Serious Violence Duty. Links with these partnership strategic groups are established and will be utilised accordingly.