A commitment to preventing domestic abuse and improving outcomes for victims has been endorsed by the Isle of Wight Council, subject to councillor recommendations.
The adult social care, public health and housing needs committee agreed to endorse the Isle of Wight Domestic Abuse Strategy 2024 – 2029 at its meeting earlier this month (18th December).
Thousands of domestic abuse incidents have been recorded on the Isle of Wight, amounting to 20% of all police recorded Island crime in 2023/4.
Key insights in the strategy include that men were twice as likely as women to be an offender of a domestic abuse flagged crime and that 36% of the crimes occurred within the 20% most deprived areas on the Isle of Wight, during 2021 and 2022.
Its three priorities are the prevention and reduction of harm, increased access to specialist support and collaboration and working together.
An implementation plan sitting alongside the strategy explains how the priorities will be achieved.
Nicola Dennis, public health consultant at the Isle of Wight Council, told the committee:
“Our vision is to improve outcomes for those subjected to domestic abuse and to create opportunities for change for those using harmful behaviours.
Article continues below this advertisement “Our overall vision is that the Isle of Wight will be a place where people feel safe to live, visit and thrive, free from fear of domestic abuse.”
Cllr Sarah Redrup, the Liberal Democrat vice-chair of the committee, said:
“Women’s Aid tell us that the amount of money that is needed to properly fund domestic abuse services is much more significant that it currently is.
“This is a work in progress and something we can work towards…being able to work across multiple partners…that’s where we’re going to be able to achieve it even if the money isn’t there.”
Cllr Debbie Andre, the Alliance member for Sandown North, said:
“The strategy that has come forward is an absolutely excellent document. I think it’s timely as well…the violence against women and girls (strategy) – the government has come forward with that today.
“It’s interesting to see how the principles in this strategy align quite closely with that.”
Reform UK Central Rural representative Caroline Gladwin praised the strategy but told the committee:
“On page 47, under seeking support…I think it would be useful to have a number that somebody can call…with opening times.
“Then they can get on the phone and speak to somebody in confidence.”
Ms Dennis in response said the council had been very careful to put a seeking support box into the implementation plan and that adding it to the strategy would be “really key”.
Cllr Chris Jarman, leader of the Empowering Islanders group, said he liked the paper “very much” but voiced disquiet over an image used twice which he added raised a “bit of a red flag”.
He said:
“I’d echo what Cllr Redrup said…the female who’s in the picture has her arms together in a very passive mode. The male has his arms open rather like chopping boards…that could seem a little bit more aggressive.”
The Conservatives’ Cllr John Nicholson expressed approval of the plan and asked whether it interlinks with other Isle of Wight Council strategies, to which Ms Dennis confirmed it did link with other plans.
The committee’s independent chair, Cllr Clare Mosdell, mentioned three recommendations which were adopted by members. She said:
“Those recommendations are: that the foreword be updated by the new director of public health, that there is an inclusion of a paragraph explaining the cover image and that inclusion of quotes from Paragon service users are brought into the document.”
Paragon has been commissioned by County Hall to deliver its integrated Domestic Abuse Services.
Now tackle speeding that is rife on the island
Paragon will need to ‘pull up.their socks’ and provide the services they are commissioned to do. Currently, their service is not fit for purpose ( from a personal perspective)