Domestic Abuse Policy Consultation

We invited residents and stakeholders to share their views on the draft Domestic Abuse Policy, focusing on:

• The importance of key priorities such as accountability, safety, confidentiality, partnership working, and support for victims and survivors.
• Suggestions for any additional priorities.
• How the Council could strengthen its response to domestic abuse.
• Demographic information to ensure feedback reflects Oxford’s diverse communities.

The consultation aimed to ensure the policy aligns with local priorities and the lived experiences of those affected by domestic abuse.

Respondents expressed strong support for the Council’s ongoing commitment to tackling domestic abuse. The most frequently highlighted priorities were:

• Accountability – holding perpetrators to account.
• Confidentiality and secure data handling.
• Multi-agency collaboration.

Other priorities included safe accommodation, trained staff, and accessible, inclusive support.

Experience and Expectations

• 65% of respondents reported being directly or indirectly affected by domestic abuse.
• Those with lived experience emphasised the need for:
  • Immediate access to safe and suitable accommodation, including provision for children.
  • Specialist support for children and families.
  • A trauma-informed, sensitive approach from staff.
  • Better coordination between services for consistent, joined-up support.
• Respondents without direct experience said they would expect:
  • Immediate and safe support.
  • Timely, ongoing, person-centred assistance.
  • Confidential, non-judgmental advice.

We have carefully reviewed your feedback and remain committed to improving our response to domestic abuse. Oxford City Council is:

• Working closely with partner organisations, including Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Service and the IDVA service.
• Progressing towards Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) accreditation, a national standard for local authorities.
• Continuing to invest in staff training across our housing services to ensure a trauma-informed, needs-led approach.
• Early identification and needs-led response to domestic abuse victims/survivors and their children presenting as homeless
• Holding perpetrators to account and signposting to support to change behaviour
• Strengthening referral pathways to specialist services, including provision for male victims/survivors and access to male-specific refuge accommodation.

Other Comments

• Family Court System
  We acknowledge the challenges survivors face within the Family Court system. However, as a City Council, we do not have a role in shaping the legal system.
• Children’s Services
  Children’s Social Care is managed by Oxfordshire County Council.

We will share your feedback with the Domestic Abuse Lived Experience Action Group, commissioned by the County Council. This group works to ensure victims/survivors influence policies and services that affect the lives of domestic abuse victims/survivors and their children.

Our Commitment

We recognise there is more work to do. We remain dedicated to enhancing support for all domestic abuse victims/survivors and their children, ensuring services are safe, inclusive, and responsive to local needs.