This strategy is the result of ongoing collaboration between Statutory and non-Statutory services within Kirklees.

Shared vision for Kirklees

Our vision for Kirklees is to have a range of services that are accessible and available to anyone who may need them, working together around individuals, families and communities to prevent, respond to and repair the damage caused by domestic abuse.

In developing this strategy we have drawn on the expertise of two nationally recognised frameworks for responding to domestic abuse: the Whole Picture Approach championed by SafeLives; and the Coordinated Community Response pioneered by Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse.

Our approach to domestic abuse is simple

Our whole system, including the third sector, health organisations, housing providers, social care and the Criminal Justice System, works in a consistent and coordinated way to:

• See and respond to the whole person, whether that be victims and survivors (including children), perpetrators or others affected by domestic abuse
• Work with the whole family to minimise the harm caused by perpetrators and build resilience
• Work with the whole community to minimise the harm caused by perpetrators and support victims and survivors to live the lives they want
• Influence the whole society through the media, politicians, employers, key opinion formers and commentators by challenging victim blaming and damaging gender stereotypes

Over the course of this Strategy, the Partnership will be working towards creating a sustainable system to coordinate the broadest possible response to domestic abuse - from prevention and early intervention to dealing with crisis and long-term recovery and safety, working to keep survivors and their families safe and challenge abusers to change their behaviour.

To measure our progress, the Partnership will review and continuously improve the:

• range of quality interventions that are available to support:
  • victims and survivors of domestic abuse (including children) to be safe and well
  • perpetrators of domestic abuse to change their behaviour
  • early intervention and prevention of domestic abuse
• sustainability of services to support victims, survivors and perpetrators, facilitating sufficient resources to meet demand
• accessibility of services, so victims, survivors and perpetrators with a range of needs and protected characteristics can engage with the support they need
• effectiveness of local multi-agency working arrangements
• awareness of local services, so people living and working in our communities know where to access support

To read more about our approach to domestic abuse please see Domestic abuse strategy 2022-2027