03 September 2010Over 100 representatives from local councils, the police, health services and others attended the first ever joint Domestic Abuse Conference at the Stag Community Arts Centre, Sevenoaks, to discuss how more can be done to tackle domestic abuse.
The event, which took place on Wednesday 25 November 2009 to mark Domestic Abuse Awareness Week, was organised by the three West Kent Community Safety Partnerships, supported by funding from the three West Kent local authorities and a number Kent County Council Councillors.
Robin Hales, the Chairman of the Sevenoaks District Community Safety Partnership, says: "Domestic abuse can have a devastating effect not just on an individual, but also on an entire family. It is a concern that this serious crime remains under-reported. As a result of this we can better plan to deliver an improved service and find better ways of encouraging survivors to report this crime."
The Keynote speaker, Detective Superintendent Lee Catling who until recently was Chair of Kent and Medway Domestic Violence Strategy Group, outlined the challenges faced by partner organisations.
These included the fact that domestic abuse remains an under-reported crime which causes significant and often hidden harm, especially in the case of children witnessing an assault on a family member.
Ailsa Paton, Domestic Abuse Co-ordinator for Tunbridge Wells, spoke about the West Kent Volunteer Advocacy Project involving a team of trained volunteers who provide support to those affected by domestic abuse. This initiative is currently unique to Tunbridge Wells but is attracting interest from elsewhere in the county.
A DVD produced in Coventry was shown, based on a true story. It showed interviews with representatives from a range of agencies. All had some knowledge of abuse in this family home. If the information had been jointly shared it could have prevented the tragic ending. The Conference went on to look at practical ways of addressing such a situation and also services available in the area, such as the Community Domestic Abuse Perpetrators Programme.
For more information on the Community Domestic Abuse Perpetrators Programme call 07590 229291 and Freedom Programme for survivors of Domestic Abuse call 07854 780690.
The Domestic Abuse Conference was organised by West Kent’s three Community Safety Partnerships, Sevenoaks District, Tonbridge & Malling Borough and Tunbridge Wells Borough.
Each Community Safety Partnership is made up of agencies and organisations including Kent Police, local councils, health service providers, housing associations and others, with the objective of tackling crime and the fear of crime.
