May 2026 Newsletter
May 2026 Newsletter
Hello to all our wonderful Domestic Abuse Champions,
We welcome our new Community Development and Group Recovery Facilitator, Gemma to the team. Gemma has a considerable background of working with those impacted by domestic abuse, having worked in refuge, and Health and Social Care. I’m sure you’ll all be pleased to meet her at future training and learning events.
We hope you are all well. Spring is finally here, and the days are getting longer. Many of us will enjoy being outside, or in our gardens, and absorbing extra Vitamin D.
Thank you to all of you who made the time to join us for our refresher training sessions and learning events so far this year and for all your hard work spreading awareness and being that listening ear. Also, a big welcome to all our new DA Champions, our network is ever-growing, thank you all.
Spotlight on Children as Victims of Domestic Abuse
The Domestic Abuse Act recognises children as victims of domestic abuse in their own right for the very first time. However, it remains unclear how this legal recognition is being implemented to ensure children get the support they deserve.
- One in five children in the UK experience domestic abuse.
- Nationally, over 105,000 children live in homes where there is high-risk domestic abuse.
- 78% of children living with domestic abuse are directly harmed by the perpetrator of the abuse.
- Less than a third of victims and survivors who wanted support for their children were able to get it.
Even when children are not directly harmed by domestic abuse, the trauma they experience can have profound psychological impacts.
The Domestic Abuse Commissioner has made transforming the support available to child victims – as well as preventing many more experiencing domestic abuse in the first place – a key priority.
Among the 66 recommendations are themes of needing to include the voice of the child in risk assessment and decision making, need for specialist support, and specialist training for the frontline.
The Think Family agenda recognises and promotes the importance of a whole-family approach which is built on the following principles:
- No wrong door
- Looking at the whole family
- Providing support tailored to need
- Building on family strengths
https://domesticabusecommissioner.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/dac_bcyp_main-report_V6-DIGITAL.pdf (Sept 2025)
We recently had an online learning event on this topic. The Norfolk Community Safety Partnership shared a video of “Zuzanna’s Story”, a young person who discussed what it is to be a child impacted by domestic abuse. Zuzanna’s mother, Gosia, was the subject of a DHR. Zuzanna highlighted how she felt unheard, how opportunities were missed, and outlined how professionals could respond more effectively.
“Listen to the victims, put yourself in their shoes, understand where they are coming from and understand what they are asking for”
Special thanks to Suzannah Armstrong Cobb, Communications Officer, Norfolk Community Safety Partnership, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk, for presenting at this recent event and sharing this powerful story. To gain access to the portal, please contact ncsp@norfolk.police.uk to be given access to the professionals’ portal where you can find the full film, DARDR webinar recordings and other resources that are pertinent to your role as a DA Champion. Please note, this video is not to be shared in the public domain – Zuzanna agreed to waive her anonymity to provide valuable learning for practitioners only.
We would also like to extend our thanks to Claire Throssell MBE, for her powerful account of how her children, Jack and Paul, were murdered by their father as a result of court ordered child contact. You can also find out more about her story in her book, For My Boys.
Our thanks also go to Zara Travers MSc from The Change Project, Lisa Smith from NCC, Operation Encompass and DA Champions Jo Mixer and Roz Hazell for making this a really successful event which was very well received.
Domestic Abuse Facts & Figures
Refuge Accommodation
- Using On Track national data as our baseline data, we calculate that all refuge services in England supported an estimated 11,305 women and 12,866 children in 2023-24, and that all community-based support services supported an estimated 112,866 women and 146,726 children (Women’s Aid, 2025). 1% of all the referrals received in refuge services using On Track were rejected for various reasons. The main reason why referrals to refuge services were rejected was a lack of space or capacity, with 45.7% of rejected referrals being for this reason (Women’s Aid, 2025).
- One in eight (13.3%) refuge services receive no local authority funding.
Women’s Aid. (2026) The Annual Audit 2026, Bristol: Women’s Aid.
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Suicide related to Domestic Abuse
The Guardian reports (March 2026)
Economic abuse from a partner contributes to one death from homicide or suicide every 19 days, a charity has found.
Financial abuse is a factor in more than half of deaths related to domestic abuse but is often misunderstood.
Surviving Economic Abuse (Sea) said economic abuse from an intimate partner was a factor in more than half of deaths related to domestic abuse but was often misunderstood or overlooked.
The charity analysed 454 domestic homicide reviews (DHRs) – carried out when a person dies by homicide or suicide as a result of domestic abuse – between 2012 and 2024.
In 231 DHRs, since renamed domestic abuse-related death reviews, the victim had experienced economic abuse from a current or ex-partner – the equivalent of one economic abuse victim dying by homicide or suicide every 19 days.
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Responding to research showing the systemic underreporting of suicides caused by domestic abuse, Ellie Butt, Head of Policy & Public Affairs at Refuge, said:
“The tragic link between domestic abuse and suicide is undeniable. Evidence suggests that a woman experiencing abuse is now more likely to take her own life than be killed by a partner. Yet the true scale of this crisis is being hidden from view, with recorded figures representing just the tip of the iceberg.
This is starkly exposed by new research from a suicide prevention programme in Kent, which suggests that official statistics capture as few as 6.5% of the true number of cases. In other words, almost all suicides linked to abuse are going unrecognised and underreported – obscuring both the horrific consequences of domestic abuse and the extent to which perpetrators are able to evade justice. Full report
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Stalking & Harassment
Following Stalking Awareness Week 2026 ((20 – 24 April 2026)
According to the latest Crime Survey for England and Wales, in the year ending March 2025:
- 1.4 million people were victims of stalking.
- Stalking disproportionately affects women, with 1 in 5 having experienced it since age 16.
Research from the University of Gloucestershire found that obsessive, fixated stalking behaviour is one of the strongest predictors of potentially lethal violence, appearing in 94% of homicide cases, with 85% of these homicides occurring in the victim’s own home. What stands out is that patterns of control (92%) and surveillance (63%) often emerge long before the most serious harm occurs. These behaviours are red flags that require swift recognition, strong safeguarding and coordinated action to prevent escalation.
TecSAFE, our safeguarding solution, gives vulnerable victims discreet, 24/7 access to police support and real‑time intelligence for faster, more consistent emergency response in cases of stalking, harassment, domestic abuse and related offences. Live in 40 UK police forces and available in 43 languages, TecSAFE has already supported over 33,000 people feeling safer and getting their lives back after abuse. Learn more
Sector News
Victims’ Commissioner launches 2026 Victims’ Survey
Have you been a victim of crime in the past five years? Whether you reported the crime to the police or chose not to, the Victims’ Commissioner would like to hear from you. This survey closes on 6th May 2026 – Please see the link below.
https://www.tonic.org.uk/victimsurvey2026
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Institute For Addressing Strangulation
Rise in strangulation charges highlights CPS commitment to tackling domestic abuse.
IFAS Statement: –
Responding to the latest CPS data on strangulation charges, the Institute for Addressing Strangulation (IFAS) said the increase reflects growing recognition of the seriousness and risk associated with this offence, and the importance of identifying strangulation early within patterns of abuse.
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Karma Nirvana
February 2026 – Government introduces new legal definition for Honour-Based Abuse
Karma Nirvana welcomes the government’s introduction of a statutory definition for Honour-Based Abuse (HBA) into the Crime and Policing Bill – a significant step forward in recognising a form of abuse that has long been misunderstood, overlooked, and inconsistently identified across the UK. A statutory definition for Honour Based Abuse is a crucial starting point for identifying cases and supporting victims. Statutory definitions play a vital role in providing precision, uniformity, and legal acknowledgement to critical matters.
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Home Office
New UK Visa & Immigration Policy Changes Improve Protection for Migrant Survivors of Domestic Abuse
Recent Home Office changes remove barriers for dependent children applying for settlement after domestic abuse and introduce improved guidance to help UK Visa & Immigration staff identify the primary victim in cases involving counter allegations. This is a meaningful step forward in recognising coercive control within immigration processes. Read more here from Rights of Women
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Family Law Report (see link below)
Emerging domestic abuse risks linked to wearable technology and AI – Feb 26
Domestic abuse charity Refuge has reported a significant rise in cases involving the misuse of wearable technology and artificial intelligence to stalk, monitor and control survivors, raising concerns about gaps in legal protection and professional understanding of tech-facilitated abuse.
‘Artificial intelligence (AI) is creating new risks for survivors of domestic abuse. Recent research shows that generative AI tools are being misused to escalate technology‑facilitated abuse, including deepfakes, impersonation, sextortion, automated harassment, and data‑driven stalking. These harms are growing quickly and disproportionately affect women and girls (UN Women)
Technology‑facilitated domestic abuse (TFDA) is now recognised as a significant safeguarding concern. Perpetrators are increasingly using everyday devices such as smartphones, apps and smart home systems to monitor, track and control survivors. Research also shows that these behaviours align with established patterns of coercive control and can create a constant feeling of being watched, sometimes called the omnipresence effect (British Journal of Social Work | Trauma, Violence, & Abuse 2023).
Common perpetrator tactics include:
- Misuse of spyware, compromised accounts and location tracking.
- Impersonation through AI generated messages, voice clones or deepfakes.
- Continuous automated harassment created by AI chatbots.
- Manipulation of images to threaten or extort survivors.
Warning signs for practitioners may include unexplained online activity, unusual device behaviour, unexpected changes in smart home systems, or distress linked to unfamiliar images or videos.
What professionals can do:
- Ask about digital experiences in every assessment.
- Consider whether devices may be compromised before giving online safety advice.
- Guide survivors to trusted resources such as Refuge Tech Safety.
- Review access to smart home devices and encourage safer digital habits, including strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.
AI enabled abuse is growing, but awareness and early identification can significantly strengthen safeguarding responses. GDASS will continue to monitor developments and support professionals to respond confidently to these emerging risks.
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Ministry of Justice
Government moves to protect children from abusive parents through new Courts and Tribunals Bill – 7th March 2026
Children will be better protected from abusive parents as the Government moves to abolish the presumption of parental involvement in the new Courts and Tribunal Bill – a landmark piece of legislation to fix the justice system after years of neglect. Full Report
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Family Justice in England and Wales
In January 2026, the President of the Family Division and Head of Family Justice in England and Wales introduced important new guidance affecting how courts deal with non-molestation orders …
The key changes are as follows:
Faster Court Decisions: The guidance confirms court should have procedures in place to ensure all applications are referred to a judge on the day of issue if before 4pm or on the next working day if issued after 4pm. This helps ensure people at risk receive protection without unnecessary delay. This is particularly important in urgent cases where immediate protection may be needed. (For more info)
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AXA and Women’s Aid Launch Campaign to Raise Awareness of Economic Abuse 25th February 2026
Women’s Aid is supporting AXA UK as they launch their ‘What They Say. What We Hear’ campaign. Financial abuse can be hard to recognise, and this campaign unpacks some of the hidden signs that might be indicators of abuse. Through this powerful campaign, AXA UK have translated some of the everyday phrase’s abusers might say in conversations to highlight where there may be instances of financial control and abuse.
Women’s Aid has partnered with AXA UK to create a dedicated support pathway for customers who need help. As part of this partnership, Women’s Aid has trained AXA UK staff to recognise and respond safely to signs of domestic abuse. Full report
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Local Updates
Norfolk Constabulary
The first trial of Live Facial Recognition has been completed in Norwich, with over 50,000 faces being scanned. Two vans, provided by Bedfordshire Police, were in place for three and a half hours in the city centre on Sunday 22 March 2026. Read more
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Norfolk Crisis and Resilience Fund – an update
The new Crisis and Resilience Fund (replacing the Household Support Fund (HSF)) became operational on 1 April – Norfolk receives core funding of £11.25 million for 2026/27. In addition, the County Council has received £3 million of the £27 million national increase in the Fund (announced in March) for domestic heating oil costs (around 70,000 households in Norfolk rely on heating oil). The primary objective of the Fund ‘is to both provide a safety net for those on low incomes who encounter a financial shock and to invest in building local financial resilience to enable individuals and communities to better deal with crises in the long-term, reducing crisis need’ [source: ‘Crisis and Resilience Fund: Guidance for local authorities in England’ on the Gov.UK website here]. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/crisis-and-resilience-fund-guidance-for-local-authorities-in-england-1-april-2026-to-31-march-2029/the-crisis-and-resilience-fund-guidance-for-local-authorities-in-england-1-april-2026-to-31-march-2029
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MAP moves to a new place in Great Yarmouth!
MAP, the youth charity working across Norfolk, have a new place for their service in Great Yarmouth – 11 Hall Quay – with a drop-in open day on 22 April (11.30 – 4.00pm). MAP welcomes any young person aged 11 to 25, with access to a range of support, advice, information and activities – further details on what is available on the MAP website here. The drop-in opening times for the Great Yarmouth service are Monday, Wednesday & Friday 1.30-5pm.
NIDAS News – Community Development Team
Training
NIDAS DA Champions Training
September – The Therapy Centre, Norwich 10am – 4.30pm
Tuesday 15th September 2026
Thursday 17th September 2026
October – The Therapy Centre, Norwich 10am – 4.30pm
Tuesday 13th October 2026
Thursday 15th October 2026
November – Online via Teams – 9:30am – 4:30pm
Tuesday 10th November 2026
Thursday 12th November 2026
Online Refreshers
Domestic Abuse & Intersectionality – June 2
Domestic Abuse Stalking and Harassment Risk Assessment – July 7
A Trauma Informed Approach to Domestic Abuse – September 22
Domestic Abuse and Older People 2026 – October 22
Online Learning Event – June 24 Tech Abuse (TBC)
**Networking opportunities**
Your feedback required please!
For some time now our Community Development Team has wished to run online/Face to Face Domestic Abuse Champion Networking sessions. We are thinking this could be lunchtime sessions fortnightly/monthly. This forum would be DA Champion led and facilitated by NIDAS so that we can improve networking and discuss areas of DA that you feel you need more input with. We are mindful that lunchtime a session may not work for all and therefore would be interested in knowing what would work for you? We have some DA Champions currently who are willing to support this online network. Please email us at DAChampions@nidasnorfolk.co.uk to let us know your thoughts about this moving forward. We value your input and all the wonderful work you do as current DA Champions
Other Organisations – Training
Free housing training from Shelter
Shelter, the national housing charity, include free government funded training and webinars – on a range of issues and topics – in their training offer. To be eligible you must work or volunteer for an organisation that provides housing or homelessness advice and/or debt and welfare benefits advice to improve someone’s housing situation. Eligible organisations include local authorities, voluntary organisations, and public authorities, such as prisons, probation, job centres or health services. To check whether eligible contact fundedtraining@shelter.org.uk with details of your organisation. Details of upcoming training (free and paid for) are on the Shelter website.
Problem debt and homelessness
The Centre for Homelessness Impact recently published research and hosted a webinar on the links between homelessness and debt, including the importance of addressing debt as a core part of the solution. Key findings include:
- ‘Rent arrears, Council Tax debt and utility arrears are the most significant debt types, carrying severe and often rapid enforcement consequences that push households from financial strain into acute crisis.
- Once homelessness has occurred, existing debts and the accumulation of new ones can entrench housing insecurity and delay or prevent recovery….
- Some groups face acute and distinct risks — people with disabilities, single parents, young people, and survivors of domestic and economic abuse…’
The research report is available on the Centre for Homelessness Impact website here
The webinar is available on YouTube here
Resources
New NCAN Referral system – an update
Thank you for the positive comments and support received for the new NCAN Referral System. We have slightly delayed the live launch until the end of this month, provisionally Monday 27 April. The current system will continue to be available and there will be no down-time. We will email everyone who is registered to use the referral system with an update later this week. In order to use the new system, we ask that you have first attend a training session (which takes no more than about 30 minutes) – if you have not done so, please do book on training via this link. Thank you to everyone who has attended the training so far.
Training resources and support
We will provide a training pack to all those who have attended a training session shortly before the launch date – this will include your link to log in to the new system and details on how to set your password; plus a quick start guide, a short video, and a link to a set of user guides. We will also be on hand to provide support to those who may need it.
Please do make colleagues aware of the new referral system and the training and resources available. If you are not currently using the referral system (to make or receive referrals or both) please do get in touch. Should you have any questions, you can refer to our FAQs or reach out to the NCAN team at: info@ncan.co.uk
Better Together | NSFT Newsletter | Norfolk and Suffolk NHS – Welcome to Better Together, our stakeholder magazine, showcasing a range of stories, action, and delivery against our priorities as an organisation, together with our partner organisations across Norfolk and Suffolk.
IFAS – Guidelines for clinical management of non-fatal strangulation
Norfolk Safeguarding Children Partnership – We are very excited to share with you the brochure for the upcoming Norfolk Practice Week – The Art of Individuality – taking place Monday 18 to Friday 22 May 2026, with a special message from our newly created Young People’s Steering Group. We would be grateful if you could share this within your organisation.
