Newham Council has adopted a new strategy aimed at combating domestic abuse across the borough. The Newham Domestic Abuse Strategy 2026-2031
and its accompanying action plan for 2026-2027 were approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
The strategy builds upon previous achievements, maintaining the core principles of listening, believing, and acting.
It emphasizes a whole-community approach and enhanced partnership responses to support survivors of all genders and identities. The strategy aims to achieve several key outcomes: more residents will lead a life free from harm and abuse, their safety and quality of life will improve, and all survivors will have access to services where their voices are heard and drive responses. Furthermore, it seeks to ensure that domestic abuse responses meet the intersectional needs of all survivors, including older residents and those with insecure immigration status, and that early intervention minimises further harm.
Key developments outlined in the strategy include moving to daily Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) meetings to ensure high-risk cases are addressed within 48 hours of referral. Additionally, specialist services will be established for young people aged 16-25, and perpetrator programmes will be expanded. These programmes include the 'CIFA (Culturally Integrated Family Approach)' for minoritised communities, the 'DRIVE programme' for high-harm perpetrators, and a pilot project with the Metropolitan Police called 'The CARA Project' aimed at first-time arrested perpetrators.
The strategy acknowledges the financial pressures and rising demand for services, while also highlighting successes such as the expansion of co-located domestic abuse services, the establishment of women's hubs, and increased MARAC referrals. The council has also committed to working with SafeLives for a whole systems review, which is scheduled to take place from February to May 2026, involving self-assessment, professional interviews, and workshops.
Councillor Rita Chadha, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, expressed pride in the strategy's development, noting the meaningful involvement of residents with lived experience in shaping services. She emphasized that the strategy is gender-inclusive and complements the council's wider work on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
The strategy also addresses the needs of survivors with complex and intersecting vulnerabilities, including those with no recourse to public funds. The council's commitment to ensuring safety and support regardless of immigration status is a key component.
Partnership commitment is a cornerstone of the strategy, with concrete actions outlined by various agencies including ELFT, Barts Health, CGL, the Metropolitan Police, DWP, Probation, and the council's own housing and adult social care services. This demonstrates a shared responsibility for addressing domestic abuse.
Despite the ambitious goals, the strategy acknowledges the challenges ahead, including rising demand for services and financial constraints. However, the council expresses confidence in its foundations, partnerships, and the trust of its residents to meet these challenges. Updated targets will be established each year through the Domestic Abuse Partnership Board, co-chaired by people with lived experience.
