DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STRATEGY 2006-09- LAUNCHED!
• FACT: On recent averages, more than 4 women have been killed each year in Birmingham through domestic violence
• FACT: 26000 women are subjected to domestic violence each year
• FACT: In up to 60% of cases, children are directly abused by the same violent parent
• FACT: Domestic Violence costs Birmingham £97million each and every year
• FACT: Domestic violence is no fiction for the safety of women and children in this city. Neither is domestic violence a fiction for the safety of our communities and neighbourhoods. Domestic violence ultimately harms us all.
These are the facts that Birmingham ’s agencies are responding to through the first Pan-Birmingham Domestic Violence Strategy which is being launched today.
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This strategy, supported at the highest levels through Birmingham Community Safety Partnership, signals that Birmingham is serious about tackling domestic violence; serious about taking decisive action against abusers; serious about giving victims real and safe choices; serious about safeguarding children. The strategy particularly signals a clear commitment to work in partnership and to co-ordinate initiatives. (To download a copy of the strategy, simply right-click on the image and choose the save as option. Alternatively you can view the document from your web browser by left-clicking the image. Details on how to obtain a hard copy can be found at the bottom of this page). Stephen Hughes, Chief Executive of Birmingham City Council and Chair of Birmingham Community Safety Partnership comments: |
“Domestic violence damages the lives and crushes the potential of so many within our City. I am therefore delighted to introduce this first Pan-Birmingham Domestic Violence Strategy which lays out the commitment of all our agencies to work collaboratively to prevent domestic violence and address the harm that domestic violence creates.”
Much groundbreaking work is already happening in Birmingham such as:
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Birmingham Women’s Safety Unit was opened in May, providing independent support to women who are victims or witnesses of domestic violence.
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Birmingham City Council has taken responsibility for taking civil action away from victims and has taken a number of actions out against abusers already. Civil orders are being used to forbid an abuser from being violent or coming near the home. The orders also warn the abuser that if he disobeys he will be arrested and risk going to prison.
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West Midlands Police are aiming to arrest abusers in 80% of the incidents that are reported to them. They are conducting risk assessments in every situation and calling on other agencies locally to help protect victims and convict abusers.
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Birmingham Magistrates Court, the biggest in Western Europe , has just been awarded specialist domestic violence court status by the Home Office. It runs more than two domestic violence courts every day and currently hosts the Women’s Safety Unit.
Anil Patani, Assistant Chief Constable, West Midlands Police and vice-Chair of Birmingham Community Safety Partnership comments:
“This strategy identifies clear objectives for all partner agencies. Working together we can make a real and sustained difference for everyone involved"
If someone is experiencing domestic violence:
• Birmingham Women's Aid Helpline - 0121 685 8550 / minicom 0121 685 8519
• Birmingham Women's Aid Refuge - 0121 685 8505 (24hrs)
• Jyoti Ashram (a refuge for South Asian women) - 0121 764 3800
• Roshni Birmingham (a refuge for South Asian women, help, guidance & support) - 0870 707 0098 10am-10pm
• Reducing Domestic Violence Project (South Asian women’s DV service) - 0121 764 3817
• Breathe (DV service for African or Caribbean women) - 0121 616 5060
• WAITS (DV Service ) 440 7000 ; (DV service for Chinese women) - 0121 446 5384
• National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24hrs)
If you are in immediate danger, call the police 999
Hard copies of the strategy are available from:
Paula Harding (Domestic Violence Coordinator)or email info@biadvf.org