Purpose

Our purpose is to develop and deliver a high-quality coordinated, multi-agency response for all victims of domestic and sexual violence and abuse. We aim to work collaboratively, combining the commitment, skills and expertise of people and organisations, to end domestic and sexual violence and abuse in the South Eastern area and build a safer future for all.

Vision

The Partnership works towards the vision of the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy 2024–31Led by the Northern Ireland Departments for Justice and Health. This strategy has a vision that Northern Ireland is a place where: Domestic and/or sexual abuse is not tolerated, and everyone can be safe and free from fear.  Domestic and/or sexual abuse is everyone’s business, where partnership work and collaborative approaches create lasting change across our communities and provide hope. The voice of victims, including children and young people, is valued and central to decision-making.

Values

Our values and principles are inherent in all aspects of development and delivery of work strands are upheld and promoted by all partnership members.

  • Collaboration: We will work collectively and collaboratively as a partnership, to bring about positive societal change in relation to ending domestic and sexual violence and abuse.
  • Best practice: We are committed to identifying and sharing best practice in addressing domestic and sexual violence and abuse, across the South Eastern community and beyond.
  • Equity, diversity and inclusion: We are committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion across our membership and will challenge all forms of discrimination.
  • Holistic approach: We value the expertise of all members and harness skills and experience to ensure the strength of the partnership as a whole is greater than the sum of individual members.
  • Accountability: We recognise addressing domestic and sexual violence and abuse requires a coordinated response and we are committed to playing our part and taking collective action.
  • Innovation: We understand that complex problems require creative solutions and are committed to thinking outside the box to identify innovative approaches.
  • Lived experience: We understand  victims and survivors must be at the heart of everything we do and will ensure our work is informed by their voices and experience.
  • Transparency: We will work collectively to promote the work of the partnership and develop transparent and trusting relationships.

Partnership aims

  • Harness the skills, expertise and knowledge of members to ensure a high-quality multi-agency response to domestic and sexual violence and abuse in the South Eastern area.
  • Work collaboratively to deliver upon the Government Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy and the End Violence against Women and Girls Strategic Framework.
  • Increase awareness of domestic and sexual violence and abuse across the public, challenging attitudes, dispelling myths and promoting effective sign posting.
  • Provide quality education and training opportunities to upskill professionals and increase capacity to respond effectively to domestic and sexual violence and abuse.
  • Promote the work of partnership members in preventing and addressing domestic and sexual violence and abuse, sharing best practice across the South Eastern area and beyond.
  • Contribute to the development of preventative education approaches to promote healthy relationships and enable children and young people to make informed choices.
  • Engage with victims and survivors, through partnership members who are front line service providers, to give voice to lived experience in development and delivery of all work strands.
  • Monitor, influence and respond to government policy, strategy and legislation as a partnership, drawing upon member expertise and giving voice to lived experience.
  • Work collaboratively with other DSVA partnerships across Northern Ireland, sharing expertise, to ensure a joined-up response to domestic and sexual abuse.