Performance Committee Members recently received the first Report on the police response to dealing with Domestic Abuse and Violence as set in the 2020-21 Performance Plan.
Using a new styled outcomes based report card, updates were provided by ACC McEwan and Chief Superintendent McNally on the levels of reports, outcomes achieved, officer training, the impact of COVID-19 and proposed legislative changes to enhance police powers in this area.
Speaking about discussions, Committee Chair Mervyn Storey MLA said:
“The prevalence of Domestic Abuse in our community is truly shocking and of serious concern to this Board.
During the lockdown period (March – June 2020) calls for service to the police increased by 25% reaching the highest reporting levels; and there was an average of 88 incidents occurring every day over the last 12 month period. Whilst preventing Domestic Abuse requires a collective and collaborative response, as a Board our focus is on how PSNI are responding to and meeting the needs of victims and bringing to justice those who perpetrate this crime.
Some very positive new initiatives have been recorded in the new report received and questions centred on the benefits of those. Board Members also recorded concerns about the impact of domestic abuse on children and young people and this is an issue that the Committee will keep under close scrutiny.”
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