Our Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership’s (HSCP) Domestic Abuse Strategy 2023 – 2028 was recently approved at the Integration Joint Board’s (IJB) meeting on 22 March 2023. 

The Strategy is the first of its kind in Glasgow City, and it describes what we'll do over the next five years to ensure people affected by domestic abuse receive the best possible care, and how we'll continue to seek the involvement of people with lived experience in the design and evaluation of domestic abuse services. 

A public consultation process was carried out for the Strategy last year from August to December 2022, with the draft Strategy being made widely available on social media platforms and disseminated to staff, people with lived experience, key partner organisations and our health and social care partners across Greater Glasgow and Clyde and beyond. The Consultation Summary Report is available to view.

The newly launched Domestic Abuse Strategy outlines four key aims that are underpinned by six strategic priorities, and it seeks to achieve 80 commitments over its lifetime from 2023 to 2028.

Pat Togher, our HSCP’s Assistant Chief Officer Public Protection and Complex Needs said: “The need for the Strategy was first identified during our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, when domestic abuse emerged as a risk factor across multiple care groups prompting a need for strategic planning and engagement. We realised that we needed to sharpen our focus on ensuring better outcomes for people affected by domestic abuse and to work in partnership in order to achieve those goals.”

Pat continued: “Glasgow City HSCP are delighted to have been able to work together with Police Scotland, Glasgow City Council, third sector partners and leading academics to create the first Domestic Abuse Strategy in Glasgow.”

“This Strategy aims to improve the knowledge and confidence of our own staff to be able to identify people at risk using evidence-based approaches, but it also ensures that victims of domestic abuse are supported for their whole journey. What makes the Strategy so innovative is that there is also a strategic priority focused on people who harm and what can be done to increase our focus on addressing the behaviours of domestic abusers.”

Once implemented, the Strategy will make a difference for our service users and patients, for our own staff who provide services and support, and it will also make a difference to the way we engage and work with our partners in statutory and non-statutory sectors. All of this will ensure a more joined up, consistent, compassionate and timely approach to domestic abuse across the HSCP. 

As part of the launch of the Domestic Abuse Strategy, a short video has also been developed. The video showcases the need for this Strategy by telling the story of domestic abuse victims and perpetrators, highlighting some of the services that are available to those affected by domestic abuse. You can view the video on our HSCP's Youtube Channel.

If you think you're suffering from domestic abuse or feel scared of your partner or if you are worried about someone you know, then get in touch with Scotland’s 24-hour Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline on 0800 027 1234 or visit sdafmh.org.uk for more support.

For information or more detail on the Strategy please visit Domestic Abuse Strategy 2023 – 2028.