Decision details

To approve the new Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy for the city as set out in Appendix 1 to this report. 

1.  The current strategy expired in 2020 and a new strategy is required to replace it, as well as ensuring that any new changes and duties under the 2021 Domestic Abuse Act are incorporated into any new city strategy to tackle Domestic Abuse.

2.  Whilst there is no statutory requirement for local authorities to have a Domestic Abuse Strategy (there is now a statutory duty for a safe accommodation strategy, which was adopted in December 2021 – see point 3), there are various duties imposed by legislation that require the Council to safeguard individuals and assist in preventing crime and anti-social behaviour. This includes the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.The Care Act 2014 also imposes a statutory duty on the Council to safeguard vulnerable people who have needs for care and support who are suffering from abuse or neglect.

Not having a city-wide strategy to tackle Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls (DA and VAWG) in Southampton risks the safety of those affected in the city. Legal duties set out in the 2021 Domestic Abuse Act, under which local authorities are required to develop and publish a Domestic Abuse Strategy for their local area, only relates to Part 4 (‘Provision of Support in Safe Accommodation’) – this Part 4 strategy has been in force since December 2021.