£300,000 city project outlined to help tackle domestic abuse

According to the latest figures compiled by the Government, domestic violence and other abuse suffered in the home is estimated to cost a city the size of Sheffield more than 51m annually.

According to the city's council, those costs are spread among several public services including social work and also hit private businesses when victims are forced to take time off.

Initial investigations have revealed that domestic abuse leads to a huge strain on children's social services, an average of 295 cases a month being referred to workers relating to the issue.

In a bid to tackle the growing problem, Sheffield Council has drawn up plans for a new integrated domestic abuse service (IDAS) which officers hope will help stop problems more quickly.

A group, overseen by the authority's director of neighbourhood renewal and partnership Evelyn Milne, has been working on the idea for months, consulting with people who have suffered.

But the project now needs approval from members of Sheffield Council's ruling Cabinet, which will meet later this month to discuss the issues and decide whether to release funding.

The new service will bring together several public agencies, including social services and the police, and will publicise all of the services available to victims.

A dedicated helpline will be set up as part of the scheme and the Cabinet member for independent and healthy living, Gail Smith, said she supported the creation of the new service.

She said: "Domestic violence blights the lives of families and children at an enormous personal cost. Areas which have adopted this approach have seen a decline in the number of repeat victims and more people charged with offences.

"The IDAS will recognise that, although the majority of victims are women, domestic violence cuts across race and social divisions and can affect anyone anywhere. It will make sure that everyone can access services to help them."

A report written in support of the service will be presented to the cabinet when it meets on Wednesday and says the new service may help save money by stopping so-called duplication of services.

It also says: "Domestic violence made up 23 per cent of the total recorded violent crime figures for Sheffield for the year October 2008 to September 2009.

"However, many more incidents are reported than become crimes, and many incidents are not reported at all. Domestic abuse is notoriously under-reported.

"A woman will on average experience 35 incidents of abuse before she reports anything to the police. New Home Office figures estimate that 16,348 women and girls will experience domestic abuse in Sheffield each year with the cost to services put at over 51m."

If approved the service will also explore how help can be given to men who are suffering at the hands of violent women partners and also examine if domestic abuse is a problem in the gay community.

Det Chief Insp Sean Middleton, of South Yorkshire Police, said: "South Yorkshire Police welcomes and fully supports the creation of the Integrated Domestic Abuse Service.

"Our partnership with IDAS will allows us to offer the best possible support to victims of domestic abuse and their families.

"I believe that the integrated service is the best way to reduce the number of victims of domestic abuse across the city."