Welcome to the Leeds Domestic Violence and Abuse Strategy. Domestic violence and abuse is a serious and prevalent issue, both nationally and here in Leeds. It has a drastic, negative, and long-lasting impact upon the safety, health and wider life chances of individuals, children, and families, and creates wider crises such as homelessness and financial exclusion.
The strategy sets out a vision of hope for victims-survivors of domestic abuse in Leeds. It recognises the challenges faced and the plan to improve outcomes. I know from speaking to them, that victims-survivors welcome this approach.
To deliver this strategy, we need a joined-up and coordinated response, involving the council, the police, the voluntary and community sector, other partners, people with lived experience and the wider community. Our vision is for Leeds to lead the way as a beacon city where domestic violence and abuse is not tolerated and where victims-survivors and their children know how and where to get the help they need. The implementation of this strategy will be underpinned by a robust action plan that will secure real change for our residents.
We all have a responsibility to help put an end to domestic violence and abuse and I thank everyone involved in writing this strategy for their continued dedication to preventing all forms of domestic violence and abuse in our city, safeguarding our residents and supporting victims-survivors to recover. It is vital work in which I hope we will all play our part.
– Councillor Debra Coupar, Deputy Leader Leeds City Council and Chair of Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board