Secure funding must underpin strategy

The government should underwrite the cost of combating domestic
violence, according to responses to the Home Office consultation
paper on the issue.

Rehabilitation agency Nacro has raised concerns about “the lack of
a long-term, sustainable funding strategy”.

Although services tackling domestic violence have improved, the
charity’s written response says there are still difficulties in
developing strategies as a result of the insecure and short-term
nature of funding.

It calls for funding to be mainstreamed through crime and disorder
reduction partnerships (CDRPs) and to focus on the full range of
support services required by survivors.

It also highlights that while health services are among the key
agencies used by survivors of domestic abuse, “they provide one of
the most inconsistent responses”.

Nacro is calling for specific targets to be developed around
domestic violence for primary care trusts to deliver in
collaboration with CDRPs.

A much stronger focus on children within the government’s proposals
and a greater recognition of the impact that domestic abuse has on
young people is also required, it says.

The Home Office’s plans also need to acknowledge the links between
the experience of domestic violence and issues such as child abuse,
juvenile offending, antisocial behaviour, substance misuse and
youth homelessness.

Homelessness charity Shelter adds in its response that the
children’s green paper presents an ideal opportunity for the
government to recognise that children who are part of households
experiencing domestic violence need visible support.