What is included under this priority
Areas of work include:
- domestic abuse and sexual violence
- organised crime and ‘County Lines’
- victims of crime
Domestic abuse and sexual violence
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, help and support is available, regardless of age, gender and sexuality. Find out more about spotting the signs of domestic abuse and the help and support available on Durham County Council’s domestic abuse web pages.
Domestic Homicide Reviews
Domestic Homicide Reviews were established on a statutory basis under Section 9 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004. The purpose of carrying out a review is to ensure that lessons are learnt when a person has been killed as a result of domestic violence.
The Safe Durham Partnership has responsibility for Domestic Homicide Reviews within County Durham and has developed and adopted a local procedure for the conduct of Domestic Homicide Reviews. If you require further information, contact us at: safedurhampartnership@durham.gov.uk
All completed Domestic Homicide Reviews are published on the website for one year then archived. There are currently no reviews in this timeframe. If you wish to obtain a previous copy, please email safedurhampartnership@durham.gov.uk
Organised crime and ‘County Lines’
County lines facilitates the purchase of illicit drugs by drug users in smaller towns and rural areas and requires exploitation of the vulnerable, including children and those with mental health or addiction problems, at all points of drug supply routes. Durham Constabulary are developing a partnership plan to prevent further county lines activity being imported into County Durham and to ensure an effective safeguarding response if further lines take hold.
Victims of crime
For the vast majority of victims, the experience is new and completely unexpected. Many of them are vulnerable and some have mental health problems. It is essential that appropriate support is available to help them cope and recover from their ordeal.
People can be vulnerable for all sorts of reasons including learning or physical disabilities, mental health, alcohol and substance misuse, age or discrimination. Vulnerable people are of increased risk of being targeted by predatorial perpetrators of crime and being groomed in order to be exploited sexually, criminally or financially.
If you, or someone you know, is a victim of crime
Durham Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office commission various services that support victims of crime including the Victim Care and Advice Service.