Domestic and Sexual Violence

Everyone should be able to live without fear of violence and abuse.  However, we know that far too often families are living in fear in their own homes, feeling powerless to stop a cycle of physical and emotional pain and abuse.

One in four women will be affected by domestic violence during their lifetime.  Using this statistic we can estimate that 12,510 women are likely to experience domestic violence in Stafford Borough.

Stafford Borough does not tolerate domestic violence.

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is physical, emotional, psychological, sexual or financial violence that takes place within an intimate or family-type relationship and forms a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour. It is called domestic violence because it often takes place in the home, behind closed doors. It can affect anyone irrespective of gender, ethnicity, class, nationality, religion, cultural background, disability, marital status, age or sexual orientation. Domestic violence is destructive, insidious and perpetuates a cycle of abuse. As a society domestic violence is rooted in our social and cultural structures. 

Domestic violence has a devastating effect both physically and mentally on its victims and their families. It also affects the wider community as well as having a huge economical impact on society. Crime statistics and research have both found that the vast majority of cases involve violence from men to women, with women experiencing the most serious physical and repeat assaults. For women aged 19-44, domestic violence is the leading cause of morbidity, greater than cancer, war and motor vehicle accidents. On average between 2 and 3 women are killed each week by a current or former partner in England. In over 90% of domestic violence incidents it is estimated that children are in either the same or next room. 

However, it is important to recognise that domestic abuse can also happen in gay and lesbian relationships, within families and against men.

Sexual Violence

In 2007, in response to the Governments Sexual Violence and Abuse Action Plan, Stafford PAIRs agreed to extend its purpose and objectives to include sexual violence, including sexual exploitation through trafficking and prostitution, in addition to domestic violence. 

Sexual abuse can happen to anyone - young or old, black or white, female or male.  As a partnership we are developing partnerships to tackle sexual violence and establish services to support members of the community affected by any form of sexual abuse.

Mission Statement:

The Stafford Borough Domestic Violence & Sexual Violence Strategy provides a co-ordinated and holistic multi-agency response to tackling domestic and sexual violence for victims, their children and families.  The Strategy also highlights that Stafford Borough does not tolerate domestic or sexual violence and that perpetrators will be held to account for their actions.

The Action Plan specifically addresses key aims and objectives identified by agencies represented on Stafford PAIRs, the domestic violence and sexual violence task group of Stafford Borough Community Safety Partnership.  The Action Plan provides a robust and effective framework with clear performance measures. 

The Strategy has four main aims: 

1.      Prevention & Early Identification and Intervention With Victims of Domestic Violence/Sexual Violence and their Families

2.      Adopt a Holistic Approach to Tackling Domestic Violence/Sexual Violence Focused on Protection, Justice and Support for Victims and their Families

3.      Hold Perpetrators of Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence to Account for their Actions

4.      Further Aid Partnership Working, Information Sharing and Communication Between Agencies

Within this there are five cross cutting performance indicators:

• Reduce the number of domestic violence offences that result in serious violent crimes per 1,000 population - LAA Indicator
• Percentage reduction in repeat victimisation for those domestic violence cases being managed by a MARAC - LAA Indicator
• Increase the capacity and effectiveness of the Chase Domestic Abuse Partnership
• Through the work of the IDVA at Staffordshire Women's Aid increase victim confidence in the Specialist Domestic Violence Court and the wider Criminal Justice System
• Increase agency understanding of domestic violence, sexual violence, best practice, appropriate responses and available services

Contact Numbers

If you think you are experiencing domestic abuse and/or sexual abuse, free confidential support and advice is available from a number of different agencies.

Useful Links

www.swaid.org - Staffordshire Women's Aid website

www.pairs.org - Skills for Successful Relationships website