Safety is high on the agenda (From Gazette Series)

Safety is high on the agenda

A NEW approach to tackle domestic violence across South Gloucestershire is being launched later this month with a new-style conference - the first of its kind in the district.

Agencies from across the region and surrounding areas are meeting this week to finalise plans for the implementation of Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs).

It is expected the first conference will take place as soon as Wednesday, May 17 although a venue has yet to be announced.

The move is the next step in South Gloucestershire Domestic Violence Forum's strategy, which aims to prevent domestic violence and ensure the safety and justice for victims and their children.

Charlotte Badlan, domestic violence co-ordinator for Safer South Gloucestershire, said: "I am confident that MARACs will prove to be an invaluable tool for us in South Gloucestershire. I am excited about the proactive responses of agencies to work together to provide comprehensive action against the crime of domestic violence and the physical, emotional and financial impact it has on all its victims."

In the UK, two women are murdered every week and 30 men every year through domestic violence, and although very under-reported, research suggests it accounts for 16 per cent of all violent crime, has more repeat victims than any other crime and average 35 assaults before a victim calls the police, and costs in excess of 23bn annually.

Detective Inspector Rob Barker of Avon and Somerset Police's domestic abuse investigations team (South Gloucestershire District), said: "It is worrying to learn that one in four women will experience domestic violence at some point in their lives and not surprising that domestic violence has the highest repeat victimisation rate of any crime. It is important that further awareness is created about domestic violence to drive down these alarming statistics. I fully support the introduction of MARACs which will help to prevent incidents from occurring. I am hopeful that this latest move will also provide victims with more confidence to report incidents."