MEDWAY DOMESTIC ABUSE SERVICE

There is a statutory duty under Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 for local authorities to complete a needs assessment and have a strategy in relation to the provision of safe and relevant accommodation. Whilst the duty is in relation to housing, the upcoming Kent and Medway Domestic Abuse Strategy 2024-2029 is a partnership document that also outlines Medway’s ambitions in relation to delivering community-based support and this includes the continuation of commissioning IDVA based support. The service is informed nationally by strategies and legislation, such as the Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (VAWG), the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and The Women’s Health Strategy for England 2022.