House of Lords evidence showcases Hampshire’s partnership approach as new campaign warns of increased domestic abuse risk during major men’s football tournaments.
Hampshire County Council’s Director of Public Health has given evidence to a House of Lords committee, highlighting the strength of Hampshire’s partnership approach to supporting victims and preventing domestic abuse.
Simon Bryant chairs the Hampshire Domestic Abuse Partnership, which brings together organisations from across local government, health, policing, housing, education and the voluntary sector to tackle domestic abuse and improve support for residents. Simon explained how these agencies are working together to provide coordinated support for victims and survivors, while also focusing on prevention and early intervention.
It comes as the House of Lords Domestic Abuse Act 2021 Committee is examining the impact and effectiveness of the Act, including how local authorities and partner organisations are delivering support and measuring progress.
During the session, Simon highlighted the value of the Act in strengthening local partnership working and ensuring organisations across Hampshire take shared responsibility for supporting those affected by domestic abuse. He also spoke about the importance of investing in early intervention, community-based support and services for children and young people impacted by abuse.
Speaking after the committee, Simon said: “Domestic abuse has a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities, and no one should suffer in silence.
“In Hampshire, we have built a strong partnership approach to help ensure victims and survivors can access the right support at the right time, and we welcome the opportunity for this work to help inform national discussions about the effectiveness of the Domestic Abuse Act. While the Act has strengthened collaboration and accountability, there is still more to do, particularly around prevention, support for children and young people, and ensuring services are sustainable for the long term.”
Simon’s appearance at the committee coincides with the launch of a new Hampshire-wide awareness campaign highlighting the increased risk of domestic abuse during major men’s football tournaments, ahead of this summer’s FIFA World Cup. The campaign, which features the message ‘When is kick-off at your place?’, aims to encourage people experiencing abuse or controlling behaviour to seek support, while raising awareness that incidents of domestic abuse can rise by over 25%* during such events.
Simon added: “The launch of our campaign is a timely reminder that while football brings communities together, for some people major tournaments can increase risk at home, and we encourage anyone affected to reach out for help.”
The Hampshire Domestic Abuse Advice Line (03300 165 112), run by Stop Domestic Abuse, offers free, confidential and independent support for anyone affected by domestic abuse, including children and young people.
* Source: Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), 2022: The World Cup: ‘There is no excuse for domestic abuse’ | The Crown Prosecution Service