Agenda item

“This Council notes that the National Domestic Abuse Helpline received over 40,000 calls and contacts during the first three months of the Covid-19 lockdown [BBC July 2020].

Domestic Violence is common and overwhelmingly impacts women and girls globally, nationally and in Oxford as well as children and men.   Domestic violence impacts on workplaces and communities and is a significant cost to the public purse.

 This Council recognises that:

·            The Covid pandemic, lockdowns and restrictions make it more difficult for survivors to seek help;

·            Local authorities have a duty of safety to their employees and residents using services and are working to stop domestic violence.

This Council resolves to:

·            Review the Corporate Domestic Violence Policy that applies to service delivery and employment for Oxfordshire County Council, support  implementation with training and monitor and review annually.

·            Work with partner agencies, communities and trade unions to promote measures to increase the safety of those experiencing domestic violence.

·            Provide information on how to help friends, family and colleagues experiencing domestic abuse.

·            Campaign and lobby for increased sustainable funding from central government for organisations working with victims and survivors, especially services for BAME communities that are underfunded.”

Councillor Deborah McIlveen moved and Councillor Mark Cherry seconded the following Motion:

“This Council notes that the National Domestic Abuse Helpline received over 40,000 calls and contacts during the first three months of the Covid-19 lockdown [BBC July 2020].

Domestic Violence is common and overwhelmingly impacts women and girls globally, nationally and in Oxford as well as children and men.   Domestic violence impacts on workplaces and communities and is a significant cost to the public purse.

 This Council recognises that:

·            The Covid pandemic, lockdowns and restrictions make it more difficult for survivors to seek help;

·            Local authorities have a duty of safety to their employees and residents using services and are working to stop domestic violence.

This Council resolves to:

·            Review the Corporate Domestic Violence Policy that applies to service delivery and employment for Oxfordshire County Council, support  implementation with training and monitor and review annually.

·            Work with partner agencies, communities and trade unions to promote measures to increase the safety of those experiencing domestic violence.

·            Provide information on how to help friends, family and colleagues experiencing domestic abuse.

·            Campaign and lobby for increased sustainable funding from central government for organisations working with victims and survivors, especially services for BAME communities that are underfunded.”

During debate, in which several members gave emotional personal testimonies, seven members, by standing in their places requested that the vote be recorded in the Minutes (Council Procedure Rule 17.4.1).  Accordingly, the Motion was put to the vote.  Voting was as follows:

Councillors voting for the Motion (63):

Afridi, Azad, Banfield, Bartholomew, Bartington, Bearder, Billington, Brighouse, Buckley, Bulmer, Carter, Cherry, Clarke, Constance, Corkin, Fawcett, Fatemian,  Fenton, Field-Johnson, Fitzgerald O’Connor, Fox-Davies, Gawrysiak, Gray, Griffiths, Handley, Hanna, Hannaby, Harris, Harrod, Haywood, Heathcoat, Hibbert-Biles, Howson, Hudspeth, Ilot, Johnston, Leffman, Lindsay-Gale, Lygo, Mallon, Matelot, Mathew, Mcllveen, Phillips, Pressel, Price, Reeves, Reynolds, Roberts, Rooke, Sames, Gill Sanders, John Sanders, Sibley, Emily Smith, Roz Smith, Stratford, Sudbury, Thompson, Turnbull, Waine, Walker and Webber.

Councillors voting against the motion (0), Councillors abstaining (0).

RESOLVED: (unanimously):

This Council notes that the National Domestic Abuse Helpline received over 40,000 calls and contacts during the first three months of the Covid-19 lockdown [BBC July 2020].

Domestic Violence is common and overwhelmingly impacts women and girls globally, nationally and in Oxford as well as children and men.   Domestic violence impacts on workplaces and communities and is a significant cost to the public purse.

 This Council recognises that:

·            The Covid pandemic, lockdowns and restrictions make it more difficult for survivors to seek help;

·            Local authorities have a duty of safety to their employees and residents using services and are working to stop domestic violence.

This Council resolves to:

·            Review the Corporate Domestic Violence Policy that applies to service delivery and employment for Oxfordshire County Council, support  implementation with training and monitor and review annually.

·            Work with partner agencies, communities and trade unions to promote measures to increase the safety of those experiencing domestic violence.

·            Provide information on how to help friends, family and colleagues experiencing domestic abuse.

·            Campaign and lobby for increased sustainable funding from central government for organisations working with victims and survivors, especially services for BAME communities that are underfunded.