Agenda item

To consider information regarding the incidence of domestic abuse in the town and its impact on children

(10 minutes presentation – 20 minutes questions)

James Priestman, Head of Drugs and Community Safety, introduced the report providing information for the Panel on the levels of domestic abuse in Slough and its impact on children, which is estimated to cost public services in Slough up to £11m a year.

Members discussed why the levels of domestic abuse were higher in Slough when compared with the rest of the Thames Valley area, and Officers stressed that there was no single answer to this.  There had been a lot of work done to encourage the reporting of incidents, by both men and women.

The Panel considered the impact that domestic abuse had on children, and the work being done around early intervention and prevention, where work with the whole family was aimed at keeping the family unit together.  Members noted, in particular, the role played by Children’s Centres in early identification of family problems and provision of advice and support, along with helping victims to understand the potential impact on children.

Resolved:

1)  to add a report on interventions to the ECS Scrutiny work programme; and

2)  that a breakdown of the statistics for female and male victims of domestic abuse be circulated to the Panel.