Agenda item

To consider the following motion submitted by Councillor S Sheahan:

“Domestic abuse is one of the biggest issues in society today. The true scale of the problem is difficult to determine because a large proportion of domestic abuse goes unreported, but studies suggest around one in four women and one in five men are affected by domestic abuse in the UK every year. Tragically, two women are killed every week by their partner or ex-partner.

Many councils, including South Derbyshire DC and Hinckley & Bosworth BC, along with numerous housing providers, have signed up to the Make a Stand pledge. The pledge has been developed by the Chartered Institute of Housing in partnership with Women’s Aid and the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance.

By signing up to the Make a Stand pledge this Council would be committing to do the following by September 2019:

1. Put in place and embed a policy to support residents who are affected by domestic abuse

2. Make information about national and local domestic abuse support services available on our website and in other appropriate places so that they are easily accessible for residents and staff 

3. Put in place a HR policy, or amend an existing policy, to support members of staff who may be experiencing domestic abuse 

4. Appoint a champion at a senior level to own the activity we are doing to support people experiencing domestic abuse 

It is proposed that this Council signs up to the Make a Stand pledge”. 

Councillor S Sheahan moved the following motion:

“Domestic abuse is one of the biggest issues in society today. The true scale of the problem is difficult to determine because a large proportion of domestic abuse goes unreported, but studies suggest around one in four women and one in five men are affected by domestic abuse in the UK every year. Tragically, two women are killed every week by their partner or ex-partner.

Many councils, including South Derbyshire DC and Hinckley & Bosworth BC, along with numerous housing providers, have signed up to the Make a Stand pledge. The pledge has been developed by the Chartered Institute of Housing in partnership with Women’s Aid and the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance.

By signing up to the Make a Stand pledge this Council would be committing to do the following by September 2019:

1.    Put in place and embed a policy to support residents who are affected by domestic abuse

2.    Make information about national and local domestic abuse support services available on our website and in other appropriate places so that they are easily accessible for residents and staff 

3.    Put in place a HR policy, or amend an existing policy, to support members of staff who may be experiencing domestic abuse 

4.    Appoint a champion at a senior level to own the activity we are doing to support people experiencing domestic abuse 

It is proposed that this Council signs up to the Make a Stand pledge”. 

Councillor S Sheahan spoke to the motion.  He stated that by adopting the Make a Stand pledge, the council would be making a clear statement to those suffering from domestic abuse.  He stated that this was important because much domestic abuse was hidden and difficult to deal with as far less account was taken of verbal and emotional abuse, the impact of which could be cumulative and long lasting.  He added that abusive relationships often endured because people felt trapped in them, and whilst it was true that domestic abuse could affect people in all walks of life, economically disadvantaged women were more vulnerable to abuse as they were less likely to have the means to escape.  Men also experienced abuse from female and male partners, and studies suggested that one in five men were affected.  He commented that the role of drugs and alcohol in domestic abuse needed to be understood

Councillor S Sheahan stated that victims of domestic abuse needed support, which meant publicising sources of advice, ensuring access to safe, affordable housing and refuges.  He referred to the existing network of services designed to support victims of domestic abuse, the Make a Stand pledge being a key piece of the jigsaw which would help unite and co-ordinate the council’s response to domestic abuse.  He concluded that signing the pledge would emphatically tell everyone concerned that we understand, we care and we are here to help. 

The motion was seconded by Councillor R D Bayliss.

Councillor T Eynon stated that she was pleased to support the motion and welcomed the support from Councillor R D Bayliss.  She added that as a housing provider, it was good to sign the pledge drawn up with the Chartered Institute of Housing.  She referred to the support already offered by the council to the Living Without Abuse charity.  She added that the council already achieved many of the targets set out by the Chartered Institute of Housing.  She felt that the council’s existing policies could be made more obvious to the public and she did not recall a reference to domestic abuse in the People Plan.  She also felt that having a named champion for domestic abuse could be very useful.  She stated that signing the pledge was a strong message to anyone suffering from abuse that housing providers, and in particular, council housing providers, would not tolerate domestic abuse.  She urged all members to support the motion as it would encourage a review of our existing policies and ensure the high standards we set were met. 

Councillor D Everitt expressed support for the motion and recounted his own experience of domestic abuse.

Councillor R Blunt thanked Councillor Everitt for his contribution and advised that the Chief Executive had volunteered to act as the champion for supporting people experiencing domestic abuse. 

Councillor A V Smith stated that the council was delighted to be able to support the Living Without Abuse charity and this was something which had grown in strength and was raising more and more money. 

Councillor R D Bayliss advised members that the Leader and Chief Executive had also committed to signing the White Ribbon pledge, setting out a wide range of actions which would complement those in the Make a Stand pledge. 

Councillor S Sheahan exercised his right of reply and thanked members for their support.

The Chairman then put the motion to the vote and it was declared CARRIED. It was therefore

RESOLVED THAT:

The Council sign up to the Make a Stand pledge.