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Domestic Abuse

29 stories · discussed at 23 council meetings · 21 councils

Councils are updating domestic abuse policies and strategies, with some seeing increased demand for support services and others securing funding for partnerships.

Southwark's Health, Adult Social Care and Community Safety Scrutiny Commission discussed broadening its Adult Safeguarding Scrutiny Review to include adults experiencing domestic abuse in October 2026. In September 2026, Barnet's Safer Communities Partnership Board noted a 24% increase in referrals to its Domestic Abuse Support Hub over the past year, indicating pressure on resources. Lewisham Council's Mayor and Cabinet approved a new Domestic Abuse Policy for its Housing Directorate in September 2026.

Enfield Council adopted its new four-year strategic plan in September 2026, which includes a focus on a safer borough, and its Cabinet also adopted a 10-year Serious Violence Strategy. In July 2026, Waltham Forest Council's Cabinet approved over £1 million in funding for the Safe and Together London Partnership. Harrow Council's Cabinet approved plans to recommission domestic abuse services, splitting them into support and safe accommodation lots, also in July 2026.

Earlier in 2026, Barnet Council backed government plans to give social housing landlords powers to evict perpetrators, allowing victims to remain in their homes. Bexley Council approved its Community Safety Strategy for 2026-2030 in April 2026, prioritising domestic abuse. Tower Hamlets Council adopted a new domestic abuse policy for its housing services in March 2026, and Newham Council adopted its Domestic Abuse Strategy 2026-2031 in the same month.

Key facts

  1. Southwark's Health, Adult Social Care and Community Safety Scrutiny Commission discussed broadening its Adult Safeguarding Scrutiny Review to include domestic abuse in October 2026. Source
  2. Referrals to Barnet's Domestic Abuse Support Hub increased by 24% over the past year, as noted in September 2026. Source
  3. Lewisham Council's Mayor and Cabinet approved a new Domestic Abuse Policy for its Housing Directorate in September 2026. Source
  4. Waltham Forest Council's Cabinet approved over £1 million in funding for the Safe and Together London Partnership in July 2026. Source
  5. Harrow Council's Cabinet approved plans to recommission domestic abuse services, with a new contract starting April 2027, in July 2026. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 22 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 3

  1. Bexley Council Clarifies White Ribbon Ambassador and Champion Roles Bexley Council's Finance & Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, to discuss the roles of White Ribbon ambassadors and champions,... Bexley 27 March 2026
  2. Newham Adopts New Strategy to Combat Domestic Abuse 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... Newham 22 March 2026
  3. Islington Council's Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee reviews homelessness prevention and temporary accommodation Islington Council's Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee has reviewed the council's performance in tackling homelessness, focusing on homelessness prevention and temporary... Islington 19 March 2026
  4. Barnet Council Launches New Strategy to Combat Serious Youth Violence Barnet Council has launched a new strategy to tackle serious youth violence, building on existing efforts to enhance community safety across the borough. The strategy was... Barnet 17 March 2026
  5. Enfield Council Approves Ten-Year Strategy to Combat Violence Against Women and Girls Enfield Council's Cabinet has approved a new ten-year strategy aimed at tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) across the borough. The Enfield Safer Stronger... Enfield 15 March 2026
  6. Hillingdon Council Endorses New Community Safety Strategy Hillingdon Council's Cabinet has endorsed a new Community Safety Strategy for 2026-2029, outlining four key priorities to enhance safety across the borough. The strategy,... Hillingdon 22 February 2026
  7. New service to tackle domestic abuse perpetrators Barking and Dagenham Council is set to launch a new service aimed at tackling domestic abuse by working with perpetrators to change their behaviour. Barking and Dagenham 20 February 2026
  8. Haringey Awards £3 Million in Contracts for Domestic Abuse Support Services Haringey Council has awarded contracts worth £3,029,958 for domestic abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) support services, ensuring the continuation of vital... Haringey 13 December 2025