Crime Prevention Minister meets London domestic abuse experts
Lynne Featherstone has visited Standing Together in Hammersmith to hear about its work to coordinate integrated multi-agency support for victims of domestic abuse.
During the visit, the Minister met experts from across the ‘tri-borough’ – Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham - who are leading the campaign to tackle violence against women and girls in the local area.
By working closely together, professionals are able to provide holistic help for vulnerable women who may have complex needs and encounter the police, social services and the criminal justice system at many different points.
Crime Prevention Minister Lynne Featherstone said:
Domestic violence is a truly horrific crime and the Coalition Government is determined to tackle it.
I am always keen to champion best practice in supporting victims of this awful crime. Women who find themselves trapped in cycles of domestic abuse need to know the people supporting them are talking to each other so they can join the dots and make the most of resources available to help.
The tri-borough team is truly greater than the sum of its parts and I was very impressed to hear about how they work together across disciplines to look after vulnerable women and help them to turn their lives around.
The tri-borough team brings together not only Independent Domestic Violence Advisers who support victims seeking to escape domestic abuse, but also the Minerva Project, which helps women in contact with the criminal justice system to achieve more stable lives and avoid re-offending.
In addition, the Minister heard from representatives from the Domestic Violence Intervention Project, which engages with perpetrators who want help to stop their patterns of abusive behaviour.
The Minister also applauded the work of Young People’s Advocates who enable direct support to young women in Westminster who have been victims, or are at risk of sexual violence by gangs.