In the year ending March 2018, 1.3 million women and 695,000 men experienced domestic abuse in the UK. On average, two women a week are murdered by a partner or ex-partner and 30 men a year are murdered by their partner or ex-partner.
Our aim
To reduce the harm caused by domestic abuse / violence in Portsmouth by providing better support and enforcement services that will encourage more people to recognise when their relationship is unhealthy and make changes, or come forward earlier to report it.
Why this is a priority
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- 40% of domestic abuse does occur in a family setting
- Domestic abuse accounts to 15.4% of all crime in Portsmouth
- 7% of people in England & Wales are likely to have experienced domestic abuse in the last year.
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It has been a priority for the Safer Portsmouth Partnership (SPP) for over a decade and continues to be a priority for all SPP partners as it impacts on:
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- Violence
- Child Protection
- Mental Health
- Substance Misuse
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What is the cost
Domestic violence/abuse can result in serious emotional, psychological and physical harm to both victim/survivor and their family, and it is thought to cost Portsmouth services around £13.5 million per year. This includes costs of about £6 million to health services, £3 million to the criminal justice system (excluding police), £2 million to the police, £1 million to children’s social care and about £600,00 to local authority housing services.
What we know
Domestic violence and abuse is a pattern of behaviour designed to achieve power and control over a partner or ex-partner, which is achieved through the use of physical, sexual, psychological and financial abuse or through movement restriction and/or social isolation. It is usually a combination of all of these – and can happen to anyone.
It can be experienced by both women and men, and also occurs in same-sex relationships, although it is most commonly perpetrated by men towards women.
We are raising awareness about possessive and controlling behaviour being domestic abuse, through our ‘Is This Love?’ campaign.
Domestic Abuse Strategy
The Domestic abuse strategy 2022 was approved by Portsmouth’s Health and Wellbeing Board in February 2022. Delivery of the agreed actions in the strategy is closely co-ordinated with work to deliver Hampshire Constabulary’s new domestic abuse strategy as well as Portsmouth’s Violent Crime Unit Response Strategy and the Children’s Trust Plan 2020-2023. Progress is regularly monitored by the multi-agency Domestic Abuse Steering Group chaired by the Deputy Director for Children’s Social Care. The newly established Domestic Abuse Practitioner’s Group meets twice a year to provide feedback on front line work and acts as a consultation group for the development of local good practice.
Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy
The Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy was released in July 2021. The government have promised to increase support for victims and survivors, increase the number of perpetrators brought to justice and reduce the prevalence of violence against women and girls in the long term. To view the VAWG strategy please click here.
Getting help
In an emergency situation always call 999 for help.
If you are safe, but need to report a crime such as criminal damage, physical violence or sexual violence, call the Police on 101.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse and need support, please get in touch with the Stop Domestic Abuse service, our domestic abuse team, for advice and support on 023 9206 5494 or by email. Our experienced specialist team is on hand to discuss your concerns and needs, 9am – 9pm Monday to Friday and 10am – 6pm weekends and bank holidays. Contact can be by phone or face-to-face in a safe location.
