Bracknell

New measures to support Bracknell residents suffering emotional or physical abuse through domestic violence are due to be approved by Bracknell Forest Borough Council next week.

More and more victims suffering abuse are reaching out for support and advice according to statistics - which show 564 people called for help in 2005/06 compared to 493 the previous year.

At the same time, the number of people arrested for domestic violence offences has risen by 25 per cent in the past year alone.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council and its partner agencies have drafted a strategy to offer even more advice and help, raise awareness of the crime and offer more effective solutions to victims.

The 2006 to 2009 strategy has been drafted by the Bracknell Forest Domestic Violence Forum - part of the Safer Communities Strategic partnership and will be formally adopted by the Council if members of the Executive vote in favour of it on Tuesday, October 17.

As well as encouraging victims to get advice and reinforcing the message that domestic violence is unacceptable it will also offer young people and children help, provide training for professionals who may deal with victims, and support the Crown Prosecution Service in treating domestic violence cases as a top priority.

Plans to make perpetrators question their actions are also earmarked in the strategy as are ways to stop children who witness domestic violence and other victims from becoming violent themselves.

Bracknell Council has always sought to address domestic violence and the strategy is the next step in providing help and care for victims of abuse while sending out the message it will not be tolerated in Bracknell Forest.

Daphne Obang, Director of Social Services and Housing, said: "We are committed to ensuring that Bracknell Forest is a safe place to live and work and that includes helping people who are trapped within an abusive or violent relationships at home.

"Abuse and domestic violence does happen within Bracknell Forest but any abuse or violence is totally unacceptable and this strategy seeks to offer help and advice to victims as well as supporting our partners in arresting and reprimanding perpetrators."

Cllr Dale Birch, Executive Member for Bracknell Adult Services, Health Commissioning and Housing, said: "Domestic violence is an appalling crime whether it is physical, mental or emotional abuse.

"We want everyone who lives in Bracknell Forest to be able to go home and not fear they are going to be abused which is why a strategy like this is so important."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council