Leader's blog - 31 July 2024

This week, I convened a roundtable with partners and stakeholders from across Basildon, united in our commitment to tackling the pervasive issue of domestic abuse, sexual violence, slavery and violence against women and girls (VAWG). This event highlighted the severity of these heinous crimes and reaffirmed our collective resolve to prioritise community safety and housing.

In Basildon domestic violence is a scourge affecting over 3,000 individuals and families each year, often resulting in death and leaving lasting scars on survivors and their communities. These scars can take decades to heal. It is a crime that thrives in silence and secrecy, making it particularly insidious.

As the Leader of Basildon Council, I am acutely aware of the devastating impact domestic violence has on our residents. The statistics paint a grim picture: over 70% of approaches to Basildon's Domestic Abuse (DA) Team this year were from white British individuals, with significant cases (over 500) involving children. These numbers represent real lives disrupted and futures potentially ruined.

At this week's roundtable, we brought together representatives from key organisations including Changing Pathways, Essex Police, the Sophie Hayes Foundation, and various council departments to discuss actionable strategies for combating domestic violence, sexual abuse and slavery. We examined data, shared insights, and, most importantly, listened to those working on the front lines.

From our meeting, I have committed to 10 concrete steps to take forward:

1. Appointment of Councillor Champions:
   • Cllr Victoria Joseph, Deputy Mayor of Basildon, is appointed as the Ending Domestic and Sexual Abuse Champion.
   • Cllr Jessica Power, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills, and Local Economy, is appointed as the Ending Modern Slavery Champion.
   • Both Councillors will collaborate to produce an annual report outlining our progress and areas for improvement.
2. Basildon Business Training Accreditation Target:
   • Working with our economic development team, we will identify businesses most likely to be in contact with victims and set training targets.
   • We aim to significantly increase the number of businesses trained to spot signs of domestic abuse and slavery.
   • Business leaders will be invited to speak at the Basildon Business Leaders Group meeting in the autumn to raise awareness.
3. Mandatory Councillor Training:
   • Introduce compulsory training for all Councillors to identify signs of domestic abuse and modern slavery.
4. Public Awareness Campaign on Modern Slavery:
   • Commission a campaign in conjunction with the Sophie Hayes Foundation to shine a light on modern slavery.
5. Survivor Freedom Fund:
   • Launch the Survivor Freedom Fund to support survivors with financial assistance to leave abusive situations and rebuild their lives.
6. Correspondence with the Home Secretary:
   • Write to the Home Secretary outlining key discussion points and our commitment to tackle these issues.
   • Address concerns regarding forensic and digital evidence gathering overwhelming the police.
7. Correspondence with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care:
   • Highlight the need for more primary care support in Basildon, particularly training care navigators to spot signs of abuse and slavery.
   • Invite the Secretary of State to discuss the work of the Alliance and explore resource allocation for training in Essex.
8. Correspondence with the Secretary of State for Justice:
   • Raise concerns about CAFCAS and request a review of their work.
   • Invite the Secretary of State to visit Basildon to hear more about court-related issues.
9. Meeting with the Director for Adult Social Care:
   • Request a meeting to discuss threshold issues and the lack of visibility from ECC in discussions on domestic abuse, sexual violence, and slavery.
10. Investment Strategy:
    • Develop a 10-year investment strategy to provide organisations with assurances about project funding, allowing significant progress in tackling these issues over the next decade.

In tandem with tackling domestic violence, we are committed to combating modern slavery and human trafficking. Partnering with the Sophie Hayes Foundation, we are co-creating a funding bid to enhance training and support services across local government. This initiative will include survivor-led audits to ensure our processes are accessible and effective for victims. We will also present a report to Full Council detailing the council's modern slavery champion and accountable person for monitoring the situation in the borough.

The path forward requires sustained effort and collaboration. We must leverage our partnerships' strengths and continue supporting those affected by domestic abuse, ensuring they have access to the resources needed to rebuild their lives. Our roundtable was a significant step in reaffirming Basildon Council's commitment and outlining practical steps to address this urgent issue.

As the Leader of Basildon Council, I pledge to keep the reduction of domestic violence, sexual abuse, slavery and violence against women and girls at the forefront of our agenda. By working together, we can create a safer, more supportive environment for all residents, particularly those most vulnerable to violence and abuse.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our roundtable and to all those who continue to work tirelessly to support victims and empower survivors.

Together, we can make a difference.

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Published 31 July 2024.