Domestic Violence

East Sussex County Council chairs the Domestic Violence Group.

The group brings together partner agencies across Hastings & St Leonards to form and sustain initiatives to meet the targets set in the Safer Hastings Strategy 2005-08. Their targets are:

• To increase the number of domestic violence incidents reported to the police where there was a power of arrest in which the power of arrest was made relating to the incident
• To reduce the number of repeat victims of domestic violence in Hastings

The group has a number of key tasks by which it aims to achieve these reductions. These tasks are:

• Provide a comprehensive service to all victims of domestic violence or abuse through inter-agency working
• Seek funding to sustain and increase current service provision for victims, perpetrators and families
• Raise awareness through quarterly newsletter
• Raise awareness of White Ribbon Day

So far, the Domestic Violence Group’s Public Service Agreement (PSA) initiative at the Conquest Hospital received a Home Office Award. PSA targets have been consistently met and the Hastings White Ribbon Benefit Gig is an annual success, usually generating more than £1,000 per event in ticket and raffle sales.

Following the establishment of the Hastings & Rother Domestic Violence Reduction Panel, repeat domestic violence incidents reduced from 49 per cent in 2002 to 25 per cent in 2005.

To find out more about the Domestic Violence Group, contact East Sussex Domestic Violence Coordinator Jacquie Ballard on 01323 466527 or at Jacquie.ballard@eastsussex.gov.uk.