Campaign launched to tackle rural domestic abuse

A campaign has been launched to tackle domestic abuse in rural Gloucestershire after hundreds of incidents were reported last year.

Tewkesbury Borough Council has pledged to do more to address the problem by training staff and councillors, and encouraging parish councils to take up the training.

Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS) dealt with more than 788 incidents in the Tewkesbury borough in 2023.

Councillors are concerned that domestic abuse lasts on average 25% longer in most rural areas and isolation is used as a weapon by abusers.

Of those reports received by GDASS last year, 135 related to people who were assessed to be in immediate danger, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A motion, put forward by councillor Liz Skelt, called on Tewkesbury Borough Council to implement its first priority of the prevention and early intervention section of the Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse strategy.

Ms Skelt also raised concerns over the underfunding of rural policing, and told the council a recent study by the National Rural Crime Network said domestic abuse is far worse in rural areas.

"There is more isolation, with less police and support places, poor internet and mobile phone coverage, and less public transport," she said.

Ms Skelt said the council "should be really proud" after Gloucestershire House of Partnerships helped lay out the domestic abuse strategies and had "nothing but praise" for the officers who deal with the victims of domestic abuse, especially the emergency housing.

“We have dedicated people working with us," she said.

"We need to implement this section of the domestic strategy so we can help the victims access the extra services we have at our council."

The council voted unanimously to approve the motion.

It agreed to provide training for all management and frontline staff at the authority, and to give all councillors the opportunity to book their own training sessions if they wish to.

Richard Stanley, council leader, will also write to all town and parish councils, encouraging staff and councillors to book training sessions.

Information and help for people who are suffering from domestic abuse or know somebody who is can be found on the council’s website, and GDASS provides an outreach service in all districts.

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