Plymouth Community Homes (PCH) is committed to supporting the 16 Days of Action Against Domestic Abuse campaign which begins on 25 November and ends on 10 December each year.
Our main aim for the campaign is to raise awareness about domestic abuse across the South West, with a focus that it affects all genders, ages, ethnicities and sexualities.
We’re committed to providing homes and communities where people want to live and feel safe and take a zero-tolerance approach to domestic abuse. Find out more about how PCH can help you if you’re experiencing domestic abuse and support available both nationally and locally on our website.
According to the latest release of the 'Domestic abuse in England and Wales overview: November 2024', the Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated that 2.3 million people aged 16 years and over (1.6 million women and 712,000 men) experienced domestic abuse in year ending March 2024.
Within the city of Plymouth in the year ending March 2024, domestic abuse related crimes accounted for 22.1% of all recorded crimes, 6.3% higher than the national average.
We are supporting our partners across the city, including Plymouth City Council, First Light, Devon and Cornwall Police and other charitable organisations to amplify their campaign message.
Plymouth City Council have created a specific webpage to support ‘16 Days of Activism’ this year, encouraging organisations, businesses, charities and those living in the city to stand up and say ‘Enough’ to Violence Against Women and Girls.
Safer Devon and Safer Cornwall have also created specific webpages to support this year’s ’16 Days of Action’, sharing a number of events and activities taking place across the South West.
On Tuesday 25 November, Plymouth City Council and lead VAWG organisations across the city are hosting an in-person violence against women and girls and domestic abuse workforce development day with a number of workshops for professionals which focuses on bystander intervention, behaviour change, impact on children and parenting and workshops from NSPCC.
First Light is continuing their Happy Healthy Love campaign, funded by the Cornwall Community Foundation, designed to support young people in navigating relationships and understanding healthy behaviours.
In 2023, Plymouth launched its Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (DASV) Strategy and Action Plan 2023 - 2026. Supported by Plymouth City Council officers, the multi-agency partnership (set up to address DASV and VAWG) refreshed its vision, mission, values and strategic objectives.
Other national events also take place during the 16 days, including White Ribbon Day and International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women which is on day one as well as Human Rights Day which is on day 16 of the campaign.
Last month we supported Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, an international campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse and unite us all in our determination to tackle it. To mark the awareness month, we shared the news that PCH has recruited a number of new Domestic Abuse Champions from across the organisation. The newly recruited Domestic Abuse Champions are on hand to support colleagues and residents as needed around domestic abuse matters and have attended specific training to further enhance their knowledge and the support they can provide.
PCH Domestic Abuse Champions
PCH has also recently joined EIDA (Employers Initiative on Domestic Abuse), joining their network of over 2,000 employers who are already committed to taking effective action on domestic abuse, equipping us to further support our employees affected by domestic abuse and to share best practices and learning across a wide variety of sectors.
Natasha Kirkham, Quality Assurance Manager at Plymouth Community Homes, said: “We’re really pleased that we have been able to expand the support available for residents and staff dealing with Domestic Abuse. The specific training for DA Champions ensures they’re equipped with the knowledge and understanding of such an important issue and are able to provide the necessary guidance to individuals when needed. PCH’s commitment to tackling domestic abuse remains a focus as we work with DAHA and other partners to develop best practice.”
Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance Accreditation
PCH is committed to achieving the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance Accreditation (DAHA) which will showcase our dedication to embedding the standards of good practice for responding to domestic abuse within the organisation and beyond.
Our growing network of Domestic Abuse Champions and internal steering group with representatives from different departments across the organisation who lead on providing necessary domestic abuse support and guidance will be working together to support staff and residents on domestic abuse matters which are brought to their attention.
The internal steering group have been collaborating to work towards the UK benchmark for how housing providers should respond to cases of domestic abuse and we are continuing our journey to achieve our certification.
Over the next 16 days, we will be sharing information about domestic abuse and will share details about events and webinars that are taking place in Plymouth and beyond.
If you are in danger, please dial 999 immediately or 101 in a non-emergency. If you ring 999 but can’t talk, make sure the Police know you are there by coughing or tapping the handset or by dialling 55.
