Barnet residents are being asked to share their views on the council’s new domestic abuse and violence against women strategy.
The draft strategy was developed with Barnet victims and survivors and it attempts to ensure men, boys, transgender and non-binary people also benefit.
A Barnet Council consultation, which closes on 4th August, outlines the definition of ‘abusive behaviour’ as well as the number of cases reported to the police in Barnet in the last three years.
The draft strategy cites data showing 9,437 domestic abuse cases were reported to the police between April 2022 and March 2025.
During that period 1,310 victims and survivors were assessed as being at “high risk of harm” and 2,434 used specialist support services such as the Solace Advocacy and Support Service.
The document states these figures “likely include repeat victims and individuals known to multiple services” but not “hidden victims”.
The council states its strategy sets out “partnership commitments” a “public health approach” and a focus on “holding perpetrators to account”.
Increasing knowledge and learning around the abuse is another priority listed and in order to achieve this the council said it needed to make tackling the violence “everybody’s business”.
The questionnaire asks participants how safe they feel in their local area and whether they observe or experience sexual harassment, abuse and violence in the streets and public spaces.
Suggested actions to fulfil the council’s vision and strategy is also asked.
The final strategy is set to be launched and published in November with results from the consultqation expected to be published in October.
For further information and to take part in the consultation visit Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy consultation | Engage Barnet
Local Democracy Reporter Grace Howarth covers the London boroughs of Barnet, Enfield and Haringey as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), reporting on local government, housing, planning and community issues.
