Last week the council supported the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, for which there are still white ribbons outside the Civic Offices. Not everyone may be aware of the sheer scale of the problem.

In the few months from April and September, 56 women accessed the Swindon Women’s Refuge. Between April and October 1,453 incidents of domestic abuse were reported to the police in Swindon and of those 1,261 were recorded as crimes.

The actual prevalence of domestic abuse is far greater, as only one in five incidents are believed to be reported to the police.

The consequences of not tackling the causes of domestic abuse are severe. In extreme cases it can lead to murder or manslaughter. Even when people escape from abusive relationships, it can take many years for them to recover from the physical and emotional trauma.

Domestic abuse can leave any children in the family at risk of neglect and abuse, which can then result in a poor record at school and the loss of opportunities for employment and their own independent lives.

While the problem of men abusing women tends to be most common, we must not forget that there are also problems of women abusing men or within same-sex relationships.

Given that it can affect so many makes this is an incredibly important issue. Domestic abuse is wrong on every level – moral, religious, or social. Whether that abuse is physical, financial, emotional, or psychological, it has no place in our society.

Cabinet will consider a Strategy to Reduce Domestic Violence, which complements our Priority: ”Help people to help themselves while always protecting our most vulnerable children and adults.”

I would encourage you to read it on the council’s website with the other pages for Cabinet. http://ww5.swindon.gov.uk/moderngov/uuCoverPage.aspx?bcr=1 To highlight some of the key parts of the strategy, a key task is to make sure there is adequate help for all those affected.

As I have mentioned above, children and young people are caught up in the cycle of domestic violence and the strategy calls on the public sector to provide specific support for these victims.

Our continuing support for appropriate charities and voluntary groups is part of this.

Working with our partners, we will seek to ensure that we hold perpetrators account for their actions and bring them to justice.

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing domestic abuse and you need support contact the Swindon 24 Hour Helpline on 01793 610610.

Your call will be treated in strictest confidence. In an emergency, victims should always call 999.