CIH Cymru recently launched a free domestic abuse factsheet and on 13 February is holding a Safer Communities event in Cardiff, a conference focussing on anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse, with updates on the new Bills and emerging good practice. Julie Nicholas puts the event in context
• One in four women in Wales and England will experience domestic abuse by their partner or ex-partner at some time in their life.
• 30 per cent of people in Wales and England had personally experienced or witnessed at least one incident of anti-
• Incidents of domestic abuse make up nearly a quarter of violent crime and a woman will be assaulted on average 35 times before reporting it to the police.
The Welsh Government has stated its commitment to building safer communities by reducing anti-social behaviour, focussing on homelessness prevention and ensuring that everyone in Wales has the right to live in a safe community, free from violence and abuse.
There are big legislative changes ahead for safety-focussed service-areas in Wales that will impact on landlords and support providers, including:
• the Domestic Abuse (Wales) Bill
• the Housing (Wales) Bill
• the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill
Domestic abuse
In 2012 the Welsh Government introduced legislative proposals for ending violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence in a white paper.
There are three key themes:
• Stronger leadership across public sector
• Better education and awareness from the ‘cradle to the grave’.
• Strengthening and integrating services
Wales has a history of innovation and leadership in developing domestic abuse services; both the MARAC (multi agency risk assessment) and DACC (domestic abuse conference call) originated in Wales, and the inclusion of housing professionals in both formats has been key to the success.
Good practice continues to be developed and introduced in Wales. Recently the minister for housing and regeneration asked all registered social landlords to implement or update workplace policies on domestic abuse, violence against women and sexual violence.
Anti-social behaviour
The number of evictions for ASB has decreased since the introduction of Anti- Social Behaviour Injunctions, demonstrating an effective method in tackling anti-social behaviour and in the process helping to reduce homelessness.
In 2012 the Home Office published its draft bill that will reduce the current measures available to tackle ASB and adopt a more victim-centred approach.
There are significant proposed changes to the new Injunction to Prevent Nuisance and Annoyance (IPNA), which will replace the Anti-social Behaviour Injunction (ASBI) when the legislation becomes law.
The Homes Affairs Select Committee is undertaking pre-legislative scrutiny on the draft Bill in early 2013 and it is expected to become law by 2015.
Housing, landlord, and supporting people services are continuing to develop their crucial role in tackling ASB and domestic abuse in our communities. By applying the principles of collaboration, protection and prevention, housing is helping to protect our most vulnerable citizens; join us in February and find out more.
Bookings and programme information for our Safer Communities conference and the domestic abuse and housing in Wales factsheet are both available at www.cih.org/cymru
Julie Nicholas is policy and public affairs manager at CIH Cymru