Southampton domestic violence forum

Southampton's domestic violence forum (SDVF) is made up of over 60 representatives from organisations that work in the Southampton area. They have come together to end domestic violence in Southampton. The SDVF meets once a year in April for the annual general meeting. The officers of the forum (Chair(s), Vice chair, Treasurer and Secretary) are elected at this meeting.

A smaller number of members meet regularly to decide on the day to day business of the forum and are responsible for making most of the decisions. Members of this group are the officers of the forum, lead people for priority areas of work and other forum members. Other meetings happen on projects as necessary.

What is the SDVF doing to end domestic violence in Southampton?

The Southampton domestic violence forum has a 3 year strategy which sets out the action that will be taken to end domestic violence in the City. A copy of the strategy is available on the right hand side of the page. In the strategy SDVF’s work is carried out under the following 4 headings:

Advocacy and Risk

Increasing people’s safety, reducing their risks and providing an advocacy service as well as outreach support and advice to those experiencing domestic violence.

Children and young people

Providing advice and support to children and young people who have been exposed to domestic violence. Increasing their safety and working with them to build healthy future relationships.

Mainstreaming, education and prevention

Increasing public awareness and prevention work targeted at all communities including children, survivors, perpetrators and professionals.

Diversity

Ensuring diversity issues are addressed in all the domestic violence work in the city to provide inclusive and effective services.

SDVF Annual Update 2007-08

SDVF have produced an annual update to highlight the achievements of the forum during 2007-08 and some of the planned work for 2008-09. The update also includes information on some of the national targets regarding domestic violence issues. A copy of the update is available on the right hand side of this page.

Where can I find out more and request publicity material?

SDVF produces a newsletter to keep forum members up to date on work and developments in the area of domestic violence. The latest 2 copies are available on the right hand side of this page. If you would like an older version of the newsletter please contact community.safety@southampton.gov.uk or phone 023 8083 3071.

The forum also produces publicity and awareness material, a directory of services and a handbook for survivors. These are available on the right hand side of this page. Information cards are also available on request from the Forum.

For dates of future SDVF meetings, information about the work of SDVF, copies of any of the publicity or to be added to our mailing list please contact community.safety@southampton.gov.uk.