Domestic abuse policy & procedure

This policy forms part of our wider organisational commitment to providing positive partnership working arrangements therefore the council commits to:

7.1 Working in collaboration with relevant organisations when responding to domestic abuse. Taking account of each person's circumstances and the different courses of action that may be possible and appropriate.

7.2 Maintain on Wiltshire Council website a list of a range of local and national agencies which may be able to offer advice or support depending on victims' circumstances.

7.3 Maintain strong partnership working with local agencies, sharing information through the High-Risk Domestic Abuse process.

7.4 Refer victims to the council Tenancy Sustainment Team or other relevant agency if they need any support relating to financial issues and signpost organisations for legal advice as appropriate.

7.5 Work in partnership with appropriate agencies to support or refer perpetrators of domestic abuse who recognise and want to change their behaviour.

7.6 Comply with the terms of any Information Sharing Agreement which is in place, the council will exchange information with agencies it works in partnership with. These agencies will include, but not be limited to those listed at 5.7 of this policy. Such sharing of information will usually be done with the consent of reporting person and witnesses, but where necessary can be done without such consent as laid out in Sections 17 and 115 of the Crime and Disorder Act (1998), which provides a power for public bodies to exchange information when they would not normally be permitted to do so, for the purposes of public safety, prevention and detection of crime and disorder. The council recognise that Section 115 of the Act gives "power", but not an automatic right, to disclose information.

7.7 Respect tenants right to privacy and act in line with council Data Protection Policies and procedures. The council will never force anyone to share any information they don't want to and will only share information with the victim's permission, unless there is a risk to the safeguarding of children, or a vulnerable adult and it is a duty of care.

7.8 The council are committed to complying with GDPR and Data Protection legislation when handling data.