Council Action to Tackle Domestic Abuse

Almost 3,000 people were referred to a service tackling domestic abuse in South Tyneside last year.

The council's in-house Restart service received 2,959 referrals in 2023/24, predominantly for victims and their children, but also to work with perpetrators to reduce incidents and break the cycle of abuse.

The work of the service and the wider domestic abuse system will be detailed in an annual report which will be brought to Borough Council next week, alongside a refresh of the Domestic Abuse Strategy and Domestic Abuse Joint Strategic Needs and Assets Assessment (JSNAA).

Members will also be given an overview of activities planned for 25 November, when the council will again mark White Ribbon Day to raise awareness of violence against women and girls. This year the council will host a breakfast event showcasing a video of males across the Council, local businesses and organisations sharing the importance of the campaign and males making a pledge of support.

Cllr Ruth Berkley, Lead Member for Adults, Health and Independence: "We and our partners including the police have carried out some excellent work over the last 12 months to ensure victims, and their children, are offered safe accommodation, and receive wraparound support services to help them rebuild their lives.

"We are also delivering intensive behaviour change programmes to support perpetrators, helping them to understand why their behaviour is unacceptable, identifying triggers and traits and to stop repeat incidences.

"The service has worked with 2695 victims aged 12 to 92, 2357 of whom were female, and that we have seen a marked increase in incidents among our 50 plus population, who are less likely to engage with services so it's essential that our response is accessible to all.

"It's vital that we adopt a holistic approach tailored to the individual, working together with our partners to protect those at risk and to create safer communities."

The report details changes that have been made to domestic abuse services in the Borough, including the expansion of Restart with the launch earlier this month of a new integrated hub building, as well as and the implementation of a targeted hub within Biddick Hall and Whiteleas with the Police and Restart working collectively with victims and perpetrators to target more entrenched abuse within harder to reach groups.

Council will be asked to approve the strategy for 2025-29 , which will prioritise prevention as well as support for victims and engaging with and pursuing perpetrators.

For further information on White Ribbon Day, visit White Ribbon: Campaign against Domestic violence and abuse - South Tyneside Council