Barnet Council has launched a new strategy aimed at combating domestic abuse and violence against women and girls (VAWG), building on existing initiatives and partnerships.
The Step in Barnet
campaign, a key component of the strategy, was launched during the 16 Days of Activism and encourages men to act as active bystanders against everyday harassment experienced by women and girls. The campaign has seen significant online engagement, with over 200,000 views and 1,400 engagements across its various elements, including a powerful street video. Beyond online engagement, the campaign's success is measured by the number of bystanders trained, the number of charter signees, and the reach of its various marketing tactics including outdoor advertising and community engagement. Specifically, the campaign has resulted in '200k Views, 4,450 Likes' for its content, '115k Video Views', and '31,000 Impressions' across different platforms. Furthermore, '200+ Bystanders trained including staff from (GLL/Better Leisure, London Fire Brigade, Barnet Homes, Unitas)' and '100+ Charter Signees' indicate tangible community action.
Councillor Sara Conway, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Community Cohesion and Ending Violence Against Women & Girls, highlighted the council's efforts in tackling violence and exploitation.
The strategy also encompasses strengthened refuge and support services, perpetrator programmes, and multi-agency safeguarding pathways.
Barnet Council commissions 18 bed spaces across two women's refuges, with an additional six bed spaces funded through MHCLG and MOPAC, bringing the total to three refuges. These facilities offer safe accommodation, advice, and advocacy for women and children fleeing domestic abuse. The Barnet Homes Sanctuary Scheme received 15 referrals for additional home security measures, with 10 homes secured by the end of Q3. The Solace Advocacy and Support Service (SASS) received 1,523 referrals in the 12 months to December 2025, with 16% of referrals accepted for support and 16% receiving short-term work in Q3.
Partnerships are crucial to the strategy's success. Barnet Homes is working towards Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) accreditation. DAHA assessed Barnet Group for bronze in November 2025 and found that Housing Options and much of the service were already working to the right level for Bronze, but that more work is needed around Housing Management's processes before Bronze can be awarded. DAHA will return in mid-February 2026 to assess Bronze and Silver standards together. Achieving this accreditation is a priority for Barnet Homes and will improve their support for domestic abuse survivors, aiming to create a safe environment and hold abusers accountable. Key changes made to Housing Management's processes include moving DA case assessment to the Jigsaw platform, training for managers on supporting perpetrators, and routine case reviews and audits by frontline managers.
Victim Support reported supporting Barnet residents through its Adult Service. The top support needs identified include needing to feel heard,
resilience and ways to cope,
empowerment,
developing support networks,
and exercising rights.
The key perpetrator programmes mentioned are CIFA (Culturally Integrated Family Approach), DRIVE, and RISE Mutual CIC. The CIFA programme is funded with up to £1.46 million and has been extended to September 2026, with an independent evaluation completed by the University of Kent, Hearth Consultancy, and Bridge Research. The DRIVE programme, funded by MOPAC, targets high-harm domestic abuse perpetrators using intensive case management and multi-agency coordination, including support, behaviour change, and disruption tactics. RISE Mutual CIC delivers three domestic abuse behaviour change programmes, with data showing steady engagement and retention, particularly in the Child-to-Parent programme. Evidence of effectiveness is suggested by programme completions and ongoing support for victims/survivors.
More information on the strategy and its performance can be found in the Community Safety Partnership CSP Performance Update Q3.
