Buckinghamshire Council Domestic Abuse Strategy 2021 survey

Closed 13 Oct 2021

Opened 29 Sep 2021

Contact

Domestic Abuse Project Team

0300 131 6000

DomesticAbuseProjectTeam@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Feedback updated 6 May 2022

We asked

We want Buckinghamshire to be a place where as few people as possible are affected by domestic abuse, and those who are can get the help and support they need.

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 placed new duties on local authorities. Considering the new duties, we drafted a strategy outlining how we want to develop and improve domestic abuse services over the next three years.

We asked for views on the draft Domestic Abuse Strategy 2021 - 2024 from 1 November to 10 December 2021.

You said

We received 20 responses to the online survey.

The overwhelming response to the draft strategy was positive. 85% of respondents felt that the four priority areas in the strategy were the correct areas of focus.

We did

At its meeting on 7 December 2021, Buckinghamshire Council approved the Domestic Abuse Strategy 2021 - 2024. The strategy was published on 9 December 2021

In response to the consultation feedback, we made some changes to the strategy to:

  • better reflect the need to consult with marginalised groups, 
  • emphasise the need to provide services which meet all the emotional and physical needs of victims and survivors, and 
  • ensure a that all services and agencies within Buckinghamshire worked together to deliver the desired outcomes of the strategy.

The Domestic Abuse Board will monitor the action plan underpinning this strategy - reporting into the Safer Buckinghamshire Board. 

The Domestic Abuse Strategy will be reviewed annually and refreshed every 3 years.

Overview

Buckinghamshire Council logo

The Domestic Abuse Act became Law in April 2021.This landmark Act will help us to provide the right support to protect and assist all victims of Domestic Abuse, and aims to make individuals and families feel safe, sooner.

The draft Statutory guidance Section B3: Strategies B3.X (PDF 0.60MB) states that Tier One authorities must prepare and publish a local strategy based on a robust needs assessment, the first of which should be published by 31 October 2021, as set out in regulations. Thereafter, Strategies must be reviewed every three years.

Why your views matter

To ensure we meet the needs of our Community, we would welcome your views on our Buckinghamshire Council Domestic Abuse Strategy 2021 (PDF 0.85MB).

In this strategy, we outline our 4 priority areas as follows:

  • Priority 1: Early Intervention and Prevention. This priority focuses on prevention, and enabling appropriate interventions as early as possible, as well as proactively raising awareness and promoting services.
  • Priority 2: Effective services that meet the needs of victims and their families. This priority focuses on making sure services across Buckinghamshire are responsive and are meeting the individual needs of victims and their families. 
  • Priority 3: Tackling perpetrators to reduce reoffending. This priority focuses on minimising harm,  making sure that services are accessible and meet the needs of everyone, recognising barriers to reporting.
  • Priority 4: Supporting professionals to make a difference. This priority focuses on strengthening collaboration and improving the way we work together. This includes front-line professionals working togethering well, in order to safeguard both children and adults.

Areas

  • Amersham
  • Aylesbury
  • Beaconsfield and Chepping Wye
  • Beeches
  • Buckingham and Villages
  • Chesham and Villages
  • Denham, Gerrards Cross and Chalfonts
  • Haddenham and Waddesdon
  • High Wycombe
  • Missendens
  • North West Chilterns
  • South West Chilterns
  • Wendover
  • Wexham and Ivers
  • Wing and Ivinghoe
  • Winslow and Villages

Interests

  • Communities
  • Crime & community safety