The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 states that domestic abuse occurs when one individual behaves in an abusive way to another individual. Both parties must be aged 16 years or over and personally connected (viz. current or former intimate partners, or as family members). Behaviour is abusive if it consists of: 

• physical or sexual abuse 
• violent or threatening behaviour 
• controlling or coercive behaviour 
• economic abuse 
• psychological, emotional, or other abuse 

The Act identifies a child as victim of domestic abuse when the child is related to somebody involved in domestic abuse (as defined above), and they see, hear, or experience the effects of abuse. 

Rates of domestic abuse appear to have fallen in recent years, but remains highly prevalent, affecting adults of all ages from all backgrounds. Nationally, 1 in 5 adults aged 16-74 years report having been a victim of domestic abuse at some time in their lives. For women the figure is 1 in 4 (ONS).  

Domestic abuse has a physical and psychological effects on victims. A small number of the most serious cases result in serious injury and death. Loneliness and isolation significantly impact victims of domestic abuse. The need for social contact is so strong it can override the need for safety, as witnessed when children cling to an abusive parent. Perpetrators of abuse may isolate victims; family and friends may ‘freeze out’ survivors; or survivors may socially isolate themselves due to depression, low self-esteem and a sense of helplessness that accompanies abuse. Rebuilding severed relationships following abuse can seem impossible when suffering from fragile mental health, but a most important step towards recovery (Source: Broxtowe Women’s Project). 

Domestic Abuse has a significant impact on many public agencies beyond healthcare, such as policing, criminal justice, housing, benefits, schooling, and social care. It also has a significant economic impact. A 2019 study by the Home Office estimated the total social and economic cost of domestic abuse was approximately £66 billion, of which £14 billion was due to lost output relating to time taken off work and reduced productivity. Meanwhile, children who witness domestic abuse are 3 times more likely to become a victim of domestic abuse later in adult life, demonstrating the long reaching consequences and cyclical nature of abuse (ONS). 

Lincolnshire Preventing Domestic Abuse Strategy 2021-2024 

Tackling Violence against Women & Girls Strategy 2021 (VAWAG)  

The Ministry of Defence, No Defence for Abuse 2018-2023 

Captive & Controlled’ Domestic Abuse in Rural Areas (National Rural Crime Network) 

Domestic Abuse Act 2021 

Strategic Assessment, Community Safety and Safeguarding in Lincolnshire 2021 

Domestic abuse is often a hidden crime not reported to police. This means data held by police forces provides only a partial picture of levels of domestic abuse. Comparing statistics between police force areas is confounded by differences in recording practice, and in the public’s confidence in their local force. There are no recent robust figures that allow comparison of the nature or scale of domestic abuse in Lincolnshire with other areas of the country. 

The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW)(ONS) collects data about experiences of domestic abuse becoming the most reliable source of information about the scale, the nature, and, the characteristics of victims. 

The CSEW allows statistical estimates for the number of victims of domestic abuse to be made. Assuming local prevalence mirrors national prevalence, there will be 30,000 Lincolnshire residents aged 16-74 years suffering domestic abuse every year. In addition to this, an estimated 3,000 children will witness or hear domestic abuse involving their parents. 

National surveys and local agencies confirm that, while domestic abuse can happen anywhere to anybody, some groups and locations are more likely to be affected than others. In particular:  

• women 
• people aged 16-24 years,  
• people with a disability/long term illness, 
• a single parent with children, 
• people living in areas of most significant deprivation 

The Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Partnership (LDAP) works in a committed and collaborative way to stop domestic abuse through education and intervention. The Partnership practices a continual cycle of domestic abuse need assessments at three-yearly intervals. An intelligence-led approach allows continual growth and understanding in identifying and responding to changes, ensuring the right services are in the right place. The Partnership employs reflective practice to continuously improve. 

The creation of a “survivor network” will help support people more effectively, making change that really matters to people. The Domestic Abuse strategy sets out shared ambitions and key priorities for the LDAP, and outlines key areas of action over the next 3 years. This is an inclusive strategy relevant to all victims of Domestic Abuse. 

Lincolnshire County Council commissions an Outreach and Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) service. The service supports all ages and provides a Refuge and Dispersed Accommodation Services to support victims and their children. From April 2023 the Domestic Abuse specialist service and IDVA service will be commissioned by Lincolnshire County Council, Integrated Care Board and the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) as part of the response to the draft Victims Bill.  

There are numerous domestic abuse-specific services within Lincolnshire, supporting people involved or at risk of domestic abuse: 

Early identification

Stay Safe

• School-based education courses for children around healthy relationships
• Countywide
• Delivered by Lincolnshire County Council

Multi-Agency Domestic Abuse Training  

• Levels 1,2 and 4 virtual training packages for differing staff segments
• Countywide
• Delivered by Lincolnshire County Council

Victim focussed

EDAN- Outreach

• Targeted courses for victims, including; Safe course, Building blocks, Children & Young People 1-2-1
• Countywide
• Commissioned by Lincolnshire County Council

Ending Domestic Abuse Now (EDAN) Lincs – Refuge 

• Targeted accommodation-based service for victims
• Specific locations throughout Lincolnshire
• Commissioned by Lincolnshire County Council

Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) 

• Targeted service to support victims
• Countywide and hospital based 
• Commissioned by Lincolnshire County Council

Women’s Aid/South Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Service (SoLDAS )

• Targeted accommodation-based service for victims
• Boston and South Holland
• Commissioned by Lincolnshire County Council

Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC)

• Support the most high-risk victims of domestic abuse
• Countywide
• Partnership led

Perpetrator focussed

Make a Change 

• Targeted service for perpetrators
• Countywide – online offer, Lincoln – In-person offer
• Commissioned by Lincolnshire County Council & Lincs police

Probation 

• ‘BUILDING BETTER RELATIONSHIPS’ PROGRAMME. Available as part of Court Order for high risk perpetrators
• Countywide

School Intervention work includes 1:1 work with children that disclose abuse either during, or after an education session. 

EDAN provides the “Move on Together” Mentoring Scheme which offers low level, early intervention support to help survivors move on from domestic abuse and to bridge the gap between intensive support services and living independently. 

SoLDAS provides the “Freedom Programme” which offers online, and face-to-face delivery, a 12-week programme recognising the signs and effects of domestic abuse and the impact on children. 

Stakeholders agree on the importance of establishing a strategy that is clear, robust, and multi-agency. Leadership and strategy must drive commissioning and service delivery. Stakeholders agree that demand for services is high and is likely to increase. 

Feedback from survivors is encouraged and collected at the service level, then used to inform agencies about their experiences with these objectives: 

• To obtain data about the type of abuse, age of victims and amount of time suffered 
• To discover the level of satisfaction victims have had with agencies 
• To discover which agencies victims had contact with 
• To obtain feedback on any court process 
• To understand the barriers to leaving abusive relationships 
• To identify victims’ thoughts on which agencies could or should have helped earlier 
• To understand impacts on children 

Survivor engagement is a priority for the LDAP.  Survivors have recently supported recommissioning and development is underway to set up a survivor network. 

• A requirement to support a greater number of people with complex needs, including mental health, alcohol, and drugs issues 
• Opportunities to prevent DA from occurring or escalating by addressing known vulnerabilities, such as mental health problems 
• Cases with prior professional involvement and subjects with known vulnerabilities allows more opportunities to prevent DA – sometimes these opportunities are missed 
• Lack of accommodation. The need is identified by victims, and that DA is a key cause of homelessness 
• There is no ‘move-on accommodation’ in Lincolnshire that meets the definition of “safe accommodation” within the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. Improved health outcomes will only be possible by exploring this option.  
• Improvements are required in capturing, storing, and sharing data and information across the partnership and will allow a more effective, intelligence-led approach (improved outcomes). 
• Each District has a victim sanctuary scheme, but provision differs between districts. A countywide approach would standardise care and increase efficiency. 
• Most known interventions happen at, or after the point of crisis. There are many opportunities to strengthen the existing early intervention offer. 
• Opportunities exist to move to preventative community resources from those currently focussed on formal services at the point of crisis. 
• The number of incidents could be reduced by better identification of coercive control – particularly where children are not involved. The majority of DA cases are characterised by coercive control. 
• There is a gap in focus on “the whole person”, leading to worse outcomes. The community offer is not referenced when case studies are presented. 
• Perpetrators of DA are not sufficiently engaged. There are high rates of known risk factors, for example, the majority of perpetrators experience mental health problems. 
• For the majority of cases where criminal justice cannot be taken, there is a recognised gap in services for DA perpetrators. There are gaps in which to make use of the ‘Make A Change’ programme. 
• Gaps in the use of Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) to improve joined-up working and awareness. 
• There is no case management system – meaning MARAC conversations are not person-centred. 
• Lack of engagement with minority groups, e.g. ethnic minorities, LGBTQI++, etc. 

The challenge of ending Domestic Abuse involves breaking cycles of abuse, preventing future incidents, and influencing society to change cultural norms. The Domestic Abuse Needs Assessment 2020, the Strategic Assessment, Community Safety and Safeguarding in Lincolnshire 2021 documents identify many possible opportunities. 

The relationship between mental health and DA is well established, however, an incomplete overlap in service provision between DA and mental health services exists, leading to poorer outcomes in such cases. There are opportunities for many different types of intervention for victims, perpetrators and relationships. 

Domestic Abuse is a key cause of homelessness – and a significant need for accommodation has been identified by victims of DA. Addressing this need, and other needs, presented in the DA Strategy, is the remit of the LDAP. 

The LDAP delivery plan sets out actions to address the ambitions of the strategy. The partnership feels the strategy should set out overall ambitions, principles and objectives to tackle domestic abuse, with the delivery plan setting out how that will be achieved. Some fluidity is built into the process to respond to the changing policy landscape. 

The strategy, and subsequent delivery plan and commissioning plan, will address the needs of all victim groups – including those with protected characteristics. 

The partnership will work collaboratively to take action against abusers, to change attitudes and behaviours and to support survivors, victims and children to ensure that communities are able to live safe, happy and healthy lives.