Domestic Abuse

North Tyneside Council undertook qualitative research to further understand the need for domestic abuse services in the borough.Feedback was sought from both service providers and service users. The following concerns were collated:

• Staff report that North Tyneside’s domestic abuse services are unable to meet demand. Harbour staff remarked that they “could fill the refuge ten times over.”
   
• Clients are increasingly presenting to domestic abuse services with multiple and enduring needs. These often relate to drugs, alcohol and mental health. It is difficult to provide these individuals with specialist support due to the complex nature of cases.
   
• Funding is considered an issue across the board. A funding “cliffedge” is approaching in March 2025 and the recent change in government also created uncertainty.
   
• There is not enough work regarding domestic abuse in teenage relationships, older-aged victims, and the increasing number of male victims.
   
• Partners find it difficult to identify and engage with perpetrators in the borough. In 2023/24 there were 51 referrals directed to Harbour’s perpetrator programme. This was 17.7% fewer than the previous year.
   
• If the domestic abuse system cannot successfully identify and respond to the number of incidents, cases and victims in North Tyneside, then more effective primary prevention is needed. Local schools have raised concerns regarding the impact of harmful online content on children and clients desire greater support for child victims in educational settings.
   
• While clients are generally positive regarding Harbour’s services, they highlight their frustrations regarding the impact of the current housing crisis. Staff report that longer stays at the refuge are increasingly common.