• MPs and legislative drafters from the Commonwealth meet the Mayor of Newham to discuss approach to domestic abuse
• Action forms part of efforts to address gender-based violence and strengthen existing laws to fulfil their purpose
Parliamentarians from the Commonwealth have explored Newham Council’s approach to domestic abuse. MPs from various African and Pacific legislatures visited the Council’s Dockside office on Thursday 24 October 2024, to discuss the Newham Domestic Abuse Strategy (2022-2025). The action forms part of a wider programme aimed at strengthening parliamentary action against gender-based violence. The project is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The session involving Newham’s Mayor, Councillor Mumtaz Khan, Deputy Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care and Domestic Abuse Commissioners focused on how national legislation influences domestic abuse strategies in local government. Newham’s strategy was informed by both local internal drivers and external national policies. Considerations were also made to legislation which has informed the local authority’s approach to domestic abuse, improved safeguarding responses and the Council’s intention to take action against perpetrators, holding them accountable.
The Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, said: “Our domestic abuse strategy puts local residents and survivors first and we are honoured the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK recognises our efforts. Our approach is informed by three core values: we will listen to survivors; we will believe survivors and we will take action to offer survivors support, make them safe and support their recovery from abuse.
“Our Public Health approach has created a ‘whole borough community’ domestic abuse model, which essentially creates an understanding of the whole picture for each survivor, their family, friends, neighbourhood, the wider Newham community and society. This model is reflective of the values and requirements of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. We feel this local authority approach is essential when handling such a sensitive topic.
“To share details of our strategy and our key learning with the delegates has been a privilege. We hope this encourages a better understanding of how Councils are able to work effectively to tackle domestic abuse. Our main focus is reducing and ending the number of incidents, while also ensuring survivors feel seen, heard and believed.”
The Mayor of Newham was among those who spoke during the visit. The session also highlighted the challenges faced by some communities in Newham, including high levels of poverty, difficult working conditions and issues related to housing. The strategy recognises that survivors who live with inequalities in other areas of their life are more likely to experience domestic abuse. This is relevant to gender-based violence as women who live in poverty, those with a disability, long-term illness, or who are pregnant, are also vulnerable to an increased likelihood of experiencing domestic abuse.
The session was also an opportunity for the delegates to assess and consider the real-life impact of violence against women and girls. Survivors were also present and shared their views during a question and answer session – it is those individuals with lived experience that helped shape the strategy. Co-production and consultation events took place with survivors, residents, LBN employees, national and local domestic abuse organisations and community groups. Newham Council regards survivors and residents as the drivers of cultural change in the borough, due to their unique perspective, reflecting the real life experiences of domestic abuse, the challenges for minoritized communities and the significant impact of violence for children and young people.
Sarah Dickson, Chief Executive of the UK branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, said: “I am extremely grateful to Newham Council for hosting this delegation of parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth.
“This visit marks an important part of our seminar to strengthen legislation to address gender-based violence. This distinguished group of parliamentarians are exploring ways to strengthen existing legislation so that violence against women and girls is reduced and, ultimately, eradicated.
“This visit to Newham let the parliamentarians explore how national legislation influences strategies by local government to tackle violence against women and girls. They also saw ideas on how to engage communities in the legislative process.
Our association is especially grateful to the survivor advocates who shared their experiences and insights with parliamentarians. Ensuring such voices are heard is crucial to informing effective legislation.”
Providers also shared their views, highlighting Newham’s ‘whole borough community’ approach to domestic abuse, as well as the support available. Hestia provides emotional and practical support to those experiencing domestic abuse in Newham, and wider communities. London Black Women’s Project (LBWP), which delivers Newham’s Refuge service for Black and South Asian women, also attended.
To view the Newham Domestic Abuse Strategy (2022-2025), visit: www.newham.gov.uk/downloads/file/5313/newham-domestic-abuse-strategy-2022-2025-final.
For more information about the domestic abuse support available in Newham, visit www.newham.gov.uk/health-adult-social-care/domestic-violence-support.
