A fresh approach to supporting victims of domestic abuse in North East Lincolnshire, whilst working towards prevention, has been outlined in a new strategy.

The Domestic Abuse Partnership Strategy from 2026 to 2030 was approved by the North East Lincolnshire Council’s Cabinet at a meeting last week.

With a forward by the council’s Director of Public Health, Diane Lee, the document stresses how domestic abuse is one of the “most significant public health, safeguarding and community safety challenges in North East Lincolnshire.”

Nationally, it is estimated by the office of National Statistics that 1 in 4 people over the age of 16 have experienced domestic abuse. More locally, in the year 24/25, over 2400 victims were referred into North East Lincolnshire’s Domestic Abuse Services.

Domestic Abuse is defined  in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 as “abusive behaviour between two people aged 16 years or above that are personally connected to each other”. The abuse can include physical, emotional, economical, or psychological abuse, as well as violent or threatening behaviour, and coercive and controlling behaviour.

The new strategy aims to bring partners together to work on:

• Prevention of domestic abuse and a local culture change – promoting healthy, respectful and safe relationships from an early age, challenging harmful attitudes, and addressing misogyny;
•  Improving support for victims, survivors and children so they can recover and thrive – accessing appropriate support services, safe accommodation, and achieving long-term recovery;
•  Addressing harmful behaviour, improving accountability and confidence in the justice system, and strengthening the whole-system response – reducing repeat harm and improving victim confidence in the justice system is essential to improving safety and outcome for victims.

The strategy was written with input from the local community, local partners such as Women’s Aid, and those who have experienced domestic abuse.

Three groups have been created to take a deeper look at the priorities the strategy focuses on. They will use relevant experience alongside the North East Lincolnshire Council’s domestic abuse support team to tackle the issues in the area.

Cllr Nigel Oliver, Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing, and Adult Social Care said: “The updated strategy will unlock a new strategic way of working against domestic abuse in North East Lincolnshire.

“Our partners work so hard supporting the victims and survivors of domestic abuse and we thank them for that continued work. We hope moving forward that this new strategy will further support the prevention of abuse, while still giving that much-needed support to people affected.”