A NEW strategy to tackle domestic abuse and sexual violence in the county has been agreed.

The five year strategy, put together by Gloucestershire County Council, The Office of Police and Crime Commissioner, Gloucestershire Constabulary, all six district and borough councils and NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, was approved by Gloucestershire Health and Well Being Board today.

It sets out how by working together, local organisations can better help people to protect themselves from harm and have healthy relationships.

This includes identifying and offering help earlier to victims and families affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence; supporting professionals from all organisations to support victims in coming forward; and working together to make best use of resources.

Locally over 22,000 domestic abuse incidents were recorded by the police between April 2010 and September 2013, of which 50 per cent are repeat victims.

One third of these incidents had at least one child witnessing the domestic abuse.

Work is already underway on developing education resources and web based services for schools and colleges to promote healthy relationships; establishing a survivors network; bringing more perpetrators to account and providing programmes to change abusive behaviours; and improved training on domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Cllr Dorcas Binns, chairman of the Health and Well Being Board said, “Protecting victims and supporting them in building brighter futures is an absolute priority for us, and we believe strongly that keeping people safe is everyone’s responsibility.

"This strategy demonstrates how seriously all partners take this issue, and how we will work more closely together to make things better for victims and their families.”