Council pledges zero-tolerance to domestic abuse

Council pledges zero-tolerance to domestic abuse

Over a hundred professionals from across Northumberland gathered together to drive forward plans to end domestic abuse and violence against women and girls in the county.  
 
One in four women and one in six men world-wide will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. 
 
Organised by Northumberland County Council, the Northumberland Domestic Abuse Summit aimed to bring together professionals working with survivors and perpetrators of domestic abuse to develop services and share the message that domestic abuse is everyone’s business.   
 
Councillor Wendy Pattison, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Adults’ Wellbeing, said: “Domestic abuse has long lasting impacts on health and wellbeing. But we want all survivors of domestic abuse to know – you are not alone.  
 
We have brilliant teams working so hard to improve lives in our communities and by coming together today, I hope we can share lots of ideas on how to take this work forward so that we can all make a difference.” 
 
Northumberland County Council is proud to be working alongside a fantastic group of partners to deliver a new Integrated Domestic Abuse Service for residents in the county: Harbour, Acorns, NDAS and Cygnus Support. 
 
All share a commitment to supporting the survivors of domestic abuse, their children, and offering support to perpetrators to change their harmful behaviour.  
 
Last year, Northumberland County Council received White Ribbon accreditation. The White Ribbon organisation is a charity that works to encourage everyone, and especially men and boys, to make the White Ribbon Promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women and girls.  
 
Graham Reiter, Joint Interim of Director of Children’s Services and Director of Children’s Social Care at the council and Chair of the Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board, said: “Responding to domestic abuse is an absolute priority for us as a council as part of our commitment to keeping our residents safe and supported. 
 
“We want zero tolerance of domestic abuse and sexual violence in Northumberland; we want to develop understanding and awareness of the impact of domestic abuse in our communities, on adults and on children; and we want to further develop the support and services we provide. 
 
“We are a White Ribbon accredited organisation, but responding to domestic abuse and violence against women and girls is everyone’s business. 
 
“No one organisation, no one service can do this alone. We have to work effectively in partnership between our services, across our organisations, between our sectors and most importantly with our communities.” 
 
Further details about domestic abuse services in Northumberland can be found here: nland.uk/DomesticAbuse 
 
Make the White Ribbon promise or find out more by contacting Lesley Pyle at Lesley.pyle@northumberland.gov.uk 
 
 
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