A vision for ensuring people who live, work, study in and visit Cardiff and the Vale have the opportunity to live positive, independent lives without being affected by violence and abuse underpins the new Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy 2018-2023, which will be considered by Cabinet on Thursday, June 14.

The strategy has been developed with input from both Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan Councils, Cardiff and the Vale Health Board, South Wales Police and the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner and, most importantly, insights from survivors of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence.

While anyone can be affected by violence,  domestic abuse and sexual violence, the strategy acknowledges that women and girls are disproportionately affected. Within the past year across Cardiff and the Vale, records show that 11,302 police incidents, of domestic abuse were recorded and a further 1,011 crimes of sexual violence were recorded.   Data shows that violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence is under-reported, despite its devastating effects.

The strategy seeks to improve planning and the commissioning of services addressing these issues and promoting prevention by focussing on negative attitudes and behaviours that have the potential to result in violence or abuse. It also commits to protecting victims and their children by improving multi-agency responses and support, and ensuring that innovative services are available to meet the needs of victims.

The strategy also makes reference to the work to support Male Victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence including the development of a regional specialist service..

Importantly too, the plan aims to deal with perpetrators of violence and abuse by improving intelligence-sharing across services and using legal powers to disrupt and prosecute offenders.

Cabinet Member of Social Care, Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Susan Elsmore, said: "Violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence is a fundamental violation of human rights.  Tackling this issue has far-reaching consequences for men, women, children, families, communities and society as a whole.

"Cardiff has a longstanding successful track record in responding to these issues, and we are committed to tackling and raising awareness of them. We are supporters of the national White Ribbon campaign and have recently commissioned a comprehensive specialist service for female victims and their children including a ‘One Stop Shop' for support. We are also working regionally to develop support services for men who are victims of domestic abuse. "

"This strategy takes a regional approach to addressing violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence , recognising that, without perpetrators, there would not be any victims and that addressing the cause of the issue is just as important as protecting and supporting victims, so that everyone can live fear-free in safe, equal and violence-free communities."