October 2025 Newsletter
Hello Domestic Abuse Champions,
We hope you are all well. Pumpkin season upon us. As we see the tree’s change with the seasons, we also welcome change to NIDAS with our new NIDAS Service Manager, Michelle, joining us. We are thrilled to have Michelle leading the way and I‘m sure you’ll join us in giving her a big welcome to the team. Becca is also joining us as the Assistant Service Manager and we are thrilled to have her join the team.
Thank you to you all of you who make the time to join us for our refresher training sessions and learning events 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 and we couldn’t be prouder, thank you all.
We still have a few spaces left for our online learning event – Breaking the silence: Male Victims on Wednesday 15th October 2025 at 9.30am and our refresher training sessions – DASH training on Monday 3rd November 2025 at 9.30am and Stalking and Harassment on Friday 12th December 2025 at 9.30am.
We will be letting DA Champions know soon if they have a place at the conference.
Connect with Our Specialist IDVA Team
Our dedicated team of Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) are available to visit and speak with teams across services, sharing their expertise on a range of specialist areas.
If you’re interested in learning more from our specialists or would like to arrange a session for your team, please get in touch with us at dachampions@nidasnorfolk.co.uk.
Our specialist IDVA team includes advisors with expertise in:
- Male Victims
- Diverse Communities
- LGBTQ+ Individuals
- Older People
- Disabilities
- Unmet Needs / Hard-to-Reach Groups
- Substance Misuse
These sessions are a great opportunity to deepen your understanding, ask questions, and strengthen collaborative working. We look forward to hearing from you!
Domestic Abuse Facts & Figures
Women’s Aid responds to Netflix show, ‘I’m not a rapist’ – ‘False Claims are rare. A Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) study found that during a period of 17 months there were;
111,891 prosecutions for domestic violence and 5,651 prosecutions for rape.
44 prosecutions for false allegations of domestic violence and/or rape.
Cases of proven false allegations are statistical outliers. Yet documentaries like this turn that rarity into spectacle. Meanwhile, the experiences of women living with violence and the chronic under-prosecution of rape receive a fraction of that airtime.’
Glamour magazine response – I Am Not A Rapist: Should We Be Worried About The Popularity Of Netflix’s New Documentary? | Glamour UK
————————————————————————————————————————————-
https://refuge.org.uk/what-is-domestic-abuse/the-facts
The facts tell a clear story – Domestic abuse is all too common in the UK, and its harmful impacts on survivors can extend to many areas of their lives, including mental health, physical wellbeing and family safety. ‘The National Police Chiefs’ Council has said it ‘is committed to seeing more abuse perpetrators charged with manslaughter where their victim takes their own life. The lasting pain caused by domestic abuse is incredibly serious, and abusers need to be properly held to account.’
A recent Impact Report from Stonewall Housing has highlighted that the number of LGBTQIA+ people requiring housing support has reached an all-time high.
—————————————————————————-
The report showed the highest increase in the number of LGBTQIA+ people requiring support in the organisation’s history, with 3,733 people supported this year (16.6% increase) – Stonewall Housing’s Impact Report Reveals Rising Demand and Urgent Need for Holistic LGBTQ+ Housing Support – Stonewall Housing
————————————————————————————————————-
The latest criminal court statistics show that the Crown Court backlog is now at a record high of 78,329. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/09/25
————————————————————————————————————————————-
The latest State of Policing Annual Assessment of Policing in England and Wales 2025 report shows survivors are being let down. Refuge is calling for strengthen vetting procedures and specialist domestic abuse training for the Police which is, trauma-informed, culturally competent and mandatory.
————————————————————————————————————————————-
Respect – Make a Change Impact Report 2024-2025 found by the end of the programme: 98% of perpetrators could identify the situations, thoughts and feelings linked to abusive behaviours. 70% of survivors reported positive changes in their partner or ex-partner’s behaviour.
Industry News
Emma Davey – victim of coercive control speaks out ‘I brought my controlling and abusive ex-partner to justice’ to the BBC – 2nd Oct 2025
When Emma Davey met Ashley Southgate in 2015, she was on “cloud nine”. Within a week of them dating, he told her he loved her, and within a month was talking about marriage, children, and their rosy future together.
“I thought I’d found my soulmate – it was just perfect,” says Emma, 36.
“There was so much attention and affection; he wanted to be with me all the time.”
Although she did not realise it at the time, Emma, who lived in Kent but has since moved to Essex, was in the grip of coercive or controlling behaviour in an intimate relationship, external.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2kn534243no
——————————————————————
The importance of a Domestic Abuse policy at work – Why a domestic abuse policy could save lives – Only five per cent of UK employers have a formal policy in place to support staff who have been exposed to domestic abuse. Cheryl Sharp explains how and why such a policy can positively impact lives. According to the Office for National Statistics, one in four women and one in seven men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. With such a large percentage of domestic abuse happening it is highly likely that someone could be suffering from this in your workplace.
——————————————————————
‘Honour’-Based Abuse – Women’s Aid response to the Government measures to challenge so-called ‘Honour’-based abuse – Women’s Aid Statement on Government Measures to Challenge ‘Honour’-Based Abuse – Women’s Aid – “We welcome the government’s new measures to challenge so-called ‘honour’- based abuse and are encouraged to see the voices of survivors, along with the advocacy of our member organisations, reflected in this response…”
Barnardo’s response – Response to government ‘crack down’ in ‘Honour’-based abuse | Barnardo’s – ‘The government has announced a ‘crack down’ in ‘Honour’-based abuse with raft of new measures. The measures include new statutory guidance and a legal definition of ‘honour’-based abuse, the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) will work with the police…’
The new measures the government has announced include:
- Legislating at the appropriate opportunity to introduce multi-agency statutory guidance and an accompanying statutory definition of HBA to support statutory agencies such as the police and social work to better identify HBA and encourage multi-agency working.
- Working with the National Centre for VAWG Public Protection to improve police risk assessment on HBA so officers can identify and respond to the risks posed to victims as early as possible.
- Launching a community engagement campaign to raise awareness of HBA and encourage people to come forward for support.
- Conducting a study to test the viability of producing a national prevalence estimate for forced marriage and FGM.
- Developing additional free e-learning modules for professionals who work with victims and perpetrators of HBA to improve their ability to spot the signs and their understanding of how to manage cases appropriately.
- Continuing to fund and uplift funding to Karma Nirvana to deliver the national HBA helpline providing support and advice to victims, survivors and the professionals who help them.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/honour-based-abuse-crackdown-in-raft-of-new-measures – ‘Victims and survivors of ‘honour’-based abuse will be kept safer and more perpetrators brought to justice in a raft of new measures, as part of the government’s pledge to halve violence against women and girls and the Plan for Change.’
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/aug/26/uk-to-clarify-definition-of-honour-based-abuse-in-drive-to-cut-violence-against-women-and-girls – Law change, professional training and awareness campaign part of Labour’s pledge to halve violence against women and girls
Yasmin Javed holds a photo of her daughter Fawziyah, who was killed in 2021 by Fawziyah’s husband in Edinburgh. Photograph: Sam Tabahriti/Reuters
https://karmanirvana.org.uk/news-item/we-remember-fawziyah-javed-memory-box-video/
————————————————————————————————————————————-
The DASH RIC – https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002hqb7 ‘Domestic Abuse- Beyond the Checklist’ – Leila Nathoo investigates the risk assessment system for domestic abuse and asks whether it is any longer fit for purpose – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr4e7yrxkgvo The main screening tool used to decide which domestic abuse victims get urgent support “doesn’t work”, Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips has admitted to the BBC
—————————————————————————————————————-
A joint Domestic Homicide Review* and a Safeguarding Adults Review** into the death of Doris (pseudonym) has today been published by the Norfolk Community Safety Partnership (NCSP) and the Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board (NSAB) to enable lessons to be learned and shared as widely as possible to safeguard victims in the future – Doris was in her eighties when she was killed by her lodger Chris (pseudonym). The review examines the agency contact with Doris and the perpetrator in the months prior to her death. https://www.norfolk-pcc.gov.uk/news/review-highlights-the-importance-of-risk-assessment-and-recognising-all-forms-of-domestic-abuse/
—————————————————————————-
Coercive control checklist – A campaigner and survivor of domestic abuse has issued a checklist of signs to help identify somebody who is experiencing coercive control.
Samantha Billingham, founder of UK-based organisation Stronger Beginnings, supported the Government of Jersey’s campaign to raise awareness around coercive control as part of ongoing work to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG). Home – StrongerBeginnings Stronger Beginnings founder is a passionate and dedicated advocate for all victim survivors of domestic abuse. Samantha brings her lived experience to the forefront of all conversations, presentations and speeches, creating change in order to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions and for victim survivors to get the aftercare and support they deserve. —————————————————————————-
Information sharing – Andover woman’s murder prompts coroner’s data sharing call – BBC News – In his report, external, the coroner outlined several mistakes and missed opportunities by authorities.
———————————————————————————————————-
Women’s Aid respond to the new femicide report –https://www.womensaid.org.uk/womens-aid-responds-to-the-new-femicide-census-report/ – The facts tell a clear story…
Domestic abuse is all too common in the UK, and its harmful impacts on survivors can extend to many areas of their lives, including mental health, physical wellbeing and family safety. “The new Femicide Census report makes for incredibly disturbing and sombre reading. Most tragically, it demonstrates that we continue to live in a world where violence against women and girls (VAWG) is prevalent, and where the system continuously fails to keep women and children safe from harm, leading to deadly consequences. The new data shows that a staggering 122 women were killed by men in the UK in 2022 – figures that remain shockingly consistent year on year.
———————————————————————————————————-
Children and domestic abuse https://www.familylaw.co.uk/news_and_comment/domestic-abuse-commissioner-warns-child-victims-are-being-failed-by-lack-of-government-urgency – It’s vital that the government clearly sets out how it intends to tackle and prevent domestic abuse as a matter of urgency. It should not need to be said that adult and child victims cannot wait any longer.”
———————————————————————————————————–
Kulpa – Digital evidence app Kulpa trialled by Jersey police – BBC News – The Kulpa app, like all apps, can be hidden on most smartphones to remove it from the home screen. It can be locked with a passcode or biometrics or simply deleted while the information uploaded will still be stored safely.
————————————————————————————————————–
Domestic Homicide Review – Gorleston woman murdered by homeless man failed, says daughter – BBC News – The “repeated indifference of so many agencies” led to an 83-year-old woman’s murder, her daughter has said.
Patricia Holland was murdered by a homeless man, who she had offered accommodation, at her house in Gorleston-on-Sea in Norfolk in 2021.
—————————————————————————-
Child to Parent Abuse – ‘My 16-Year-Old Daughter Attacked Me and I Stayed Silent’ | This Morning https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRXex9NwDVg
It’s the least discussed and most taboo form of domestic abuse – CPA or child to parent abuse. After PEGS (Parental Education Growth Support) reported seeing a 112% increase in parents seeking advice, we’re joined by ‘Juliet’, a mother who has suffered domestic abuse at the hands of her teenage daughter.
—————————————————————————————–
NHS and Domestic Abuse – Exclusive: NHS still failing domestic abuse victims, report warns – Channel 4 News The National Health Service is failing victims of domestic abuse and must urgently improve its response to “a public health emergency”, a new report first seen by Channel 4 News warns.
—————————————————————————-
Support for Armed Forces – https://www.raf.mod.uk/community-support/raf-serving-families-news/support-for-those-experiencing-domestic-abuse-sexual-violence-or-stalking/ Have you heard of Aurora New Dawn? It’s a charity providing specialist support to those experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence and/or stalking.
—————————————————————————-
Non-Fatal Strangulation – https://www.cps.gov.uk/cps/news/prosecutors-urge-strangulation-survivors-come-forward-charges-reach-record-high “IFAS works to raise awareness of the risks around strangulation including in the context of domestic abuse. We hope to receive further funding so we can continue our work of improving the response victims of strangulation receive.”
Pets
Dogs Trust need more volunteers for DA boarding – Domestic abuse dog foster service sees demand surge https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2072147y3eo
Mental Health – https://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/demanding-better-the-case-for-investment-in-the-mental-health-of-domestic-abuse-survivors/ Domestic abuse is a national public health emergency of epidemic proportions – it leaves survivors struggling with long-lasting and devastating mental health issues and is a leading driver of suicide in women.
—————————————————————————-
I’m a survivor of domestic violence. Asylum hotel protests do not speak for me – or protect me https://www.bigissue.com/opinion/asylum-protests-domestic-violence-women-girls/
Man jailed – https://www.norfolk.police.uk/news/norfolk/news/news/2025/september/man-jailed-for-attacks-on-partner/ PC Carol-Ann Noble said: “The assault against the woman was violent and sustained and she genuinely thought her life was at risk.
“The courage she has shown in standing up to her abuser and supporting this investigation has ensured that he is rightly behind bars.”
Early release scheme – https://www.channel4.com/news/early-release-scheme-criticised-by-domestic-abuse-victims
Escaping DA when the perpetrator is your carer –https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2025/09/17/disabled-people-domestic-abuse/ The prisons crisis has already seen many offenders freed early. From tomorrow, even those recalled for breaching their release conditions will spend less time back in jail.
That’s alarming domestic abuse charities, who worry that changes to the early release scheme will lead to someone being seriously injured or killed.
The detrimental focus on physical injury – https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2025-09-22/abuse-victims-complaints-dismissed-because-she-wasnt-black-or-blue – A woman who claims she was abused for years by her partner says she was told by police to stop wasting their time because she was not “black and blue”.
Technology –
https://www.unilad.com/technology/news/siri-police-call-domestic-abuse-saved-life-524941-20250915 –
Joining presenters Ed Balls and Kate Garraway on ITV show Good Morning Britain last week (September 11), mum-of-one Emma-Louise Kelly recounted the time her phone alerted the police while her ex-partner was physically assaulting her after a night out.
Training
For NIDAS domestic abuse champion training and events, please visit our website @ https://nidasnorfolk.co.uk/champions-portal/da-champions-events-2/
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/momentum-x-papyrus-speak-training-tickets-1548163050359?aff=erelexpmlt&_gl=1%2A103hxfa%2A_up%2AMQ..%2A_ga%2AMjM0MjkwNjgxLjE3NTc5Mzk4NjU.%2A_ga_TQVES5V6SH%2AczE3NTc5Mzk4NjQkbzEkZzAkdDE3NTc5Mzk4NjQkajYwJGwwJGgw – Free suicide prevention training for those working with young people
https://courses.idas.org.uk/training-event/violent-resistance-in-domestic-abuse-161025/ 16th October 2025 – Violent resistance training deliver by IDAS
https://courses.idas.org.uk/training-event/understanding-child-adolescent-to-parent-abuse-cpd-accredited-071025/ – This training directly responds to the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s call for training on Non-Fatal Strangulation for front line workers and takes approximately 20 minutes. https://safelives.org.uk/training-courses/nfs-introductory-elearning-registration/
Events
For NIDAS domestic abuse champion training and events, please visit our website @ https://nidasnorfolk.co.uk/champions-portal/da-champions-events-2/
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/72079956-6cee-46b7-bb81-c95c034c5cf9@63c6bc72-b093-42db-bf8a-14e2a998e211 DARDR Bobo webinar – Wednesday 22nd October from 1.30pm to 4.30pm
https://mcusercontent.com/61a076090ab1deb4446cc5b49/files/f83d7959-090d-d07c-410f-ae0d65a9e345/Halloween_Black_and_White_Ball_poster.pdf James Padget White Ribbon event
Teenage Relationship Abuse – The For Baby’s Sake Trust in partnership with Talk Listen Change hosted a webinar exploring how we can recognise, respond to, and prevent teenage relationship abuse, and why building the foundations for healthy relationships early is vital for long-term wellbeing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vap3_UzrsLY
Resources
The Norfolk Crime & Safety Partnership (NCSP) team are developing a bank of resources that raise awareness of important issues relevant to domestic abuse and sexual violence. Many of the assets directly respond to Norfolk DARDRs and are a great way to develop knowledge. https://www.norfolk-pcc.gov.uk/who-we-are/community-safety-partnership/our-priorities/domestic-abuse-and-sexual-violence/domestic-abuse-and-sexual-violence/
The NCSP host webinars following the publication of each Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews (DARDR). These webinars focus on sharing the learning from the reviews. If you were not able to make the original meeting you can access recording of them all via the DARDR Webinar Portal If you would like to be given access to the portal, please contact Suzannah Armstrong Cobb using the link suzannah.armstrong-cobb@norfolk.police.uk
The Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) Norfolk have recently delivered training to over 300 partners in August on the newly-updated Multi -Agency Risk Assessment Co-ordination (MARAC) training. You can access this training and the accompanying MARAC process presentation via our partners portal. Request access here: ncsp@norfolk.police.uk
