The Domestic Violence and Abuse Partnership is a collaborative group of organisations and key stakeholders from all sectors across the borough of Oldham, with the joint aim of improving the lives of individuals and families affected by domestic violence and abuse.
The aim of the group is:
- To deliver a co-ordinated strategic response to domestic violence and abuse across the Borough
- To ensure the voice of the child and the voice of adults at risk is heard and is at the heart of the response to domestic violence
- To have a live delivery plan that is responsive to meeting the needs of those affected by or at risk of domestic violence and abuse with robust performance monitoring and reporting of progress against any identified targets.
- To identify areas of innovative practice and service improvement through cross-sector working with a joined up approach to co-production and were required ensure effective commissioning arrangements.
- To identify gaps and barriers to service delivery and to identify solutions and/or escalate matters which cannot be resolved.
- To monitor performance data and activity providing challenge and support were required with regard to effective service delivery.
- To monitor trends and evolving areas of work in relation to domestic violence and abuse and were possible ensure a partnership response.
- To identify opportunities for funding and support appropriate funding applications
- To have oversight of threat, risk and harm processes in relation to safeguarding children and adults were domestic violence is identified.
- Were specific projects are commissioned regular monitoring of the implementation and delivery plan and evaluation of projects will take place
- To monitor the progress of statutory reviews in which domestic violence and abuse is an identified factor and ensure recommendations which arise are implemented in accordance with action plans and shared with the safeguarding boards.
Domestic violence is defined as:
'Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.
Controlling behaviour is a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.
Coercive behaviour is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.'
This definition, which is not a legal definition, includes so called ‘honour’ based violence, female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage. It is clear that victims are not confined to one gender or ethnic group.
The Domestic Violence and Abuse Partnership also manages and discharges the Community Safety and Cohesion Partnership responsibilities under the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act (2004) to conduct Domestic Homicide Reviews where the death of person over 16 occurs and has, or appears to have, resulted from violence, abuse or neglect by
(a) a person to whom he was related or with whom he was or had been in an intimate personal relationship, or
(b) a member of the same household as himself
For more information on Domestic Homicide Reviews please visit the Council's page Domestic Violence and Abuse