Domestic abuse

Crimes recorded under the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) that were identified as domestic abuse related, and incidents (domestic abuse reported to / investigated by the police that did not result in a crime being recorded under the NCRS) have seen a steady increase nationally (England and Wales), regionally and locally over the five years between 2018-19 and 2022-23. 

Domestic abuse safeguarding records provide a comprehensive picture at a local level. Safeguarding records include all identified domestic abuse crimes, reported incidents and cases where domestic abuse is identified.During 2022-23 a total of 8,272 domestic abuse safeguarding records were created across Cumbria, 4,708 of them in Cumberland. This represents a steady increase over a five-year period.

In Cumberland, the rate of domestic abuse safeguarding records per 1,000 population in 2022-23 is higher than the Cumbria and Cumberland average in three community panel areas (Carlisle West, Petteril and Workington Together). Between them these three community panel areas contain 21 of Cumberland’s communities (LSOAs) that are in the 20 per cent most deprived nationally. The five wards with the highest rates in 2022-23 all have rates higher than the Cumbria and Cumberland average (Currock, Castle, St Michael’s, Moss Bay and Moorclose, Kells and Sandwith); these five wards contain collectively 12 LSOAs in the 20 per cent most deprived in England.

The Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Needs Assessments 2022-23 highlighted the likelihood that the full extent of need amongst domestic abuse victims is not currently captured as under reporting may be a problem especially for male victims, those with disabilities, LGBTQ, young victims (16-18 years) and older victims (those aged 65+). The assessments also highlight rurality as a significant barrier for victims of domestic abuse, with services harder to access and rural societal structure making escape less likely resulting in rural victims of domestic abuse being half as likely to report abuse as urban victims. Just over half of Cumberland’s population (51.7 per cent) live in areas defined as rural.

Recommendations have been made by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, via the report  DAC patchwork of provision DA - Search (bing.com), detailing how to meet the needs of victims and survivors across England and Wales 

The government response is here:  

DAC patchwork of provision government response - Search (bing.com)

Cumberland CSP DA group will prioritise its strategy based on six of these recommendations.