Serious Violence Duty

The ‘Serious Violence Duty’ is a legal duty on organisations/bodies to collaborate locally to prevent & reduce ‘serious violence,’ which can include domestic abuse and sexual offences. ​

• A Public Health Approach – violence is preventable. ​
• Focus on collaboration, coproduction & embedding lessons from victims lived experience, enhancing existing practices and agreeing new sustainable initiatives. ​
• The Duty came into force on 31 January 2023 and specifically applies to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). ​
• ICBs are under a duty to undertake a strategic needs ​assessment (SNA) and produce a plan to tackle ‘serious violence’ with specified and relevant partners: Police, Local Authorities, Justice, Fire & Rescue, Education, and Prison & Youth Custody. ICBs are the key point of contact in Health. ​
• ICBs have a duty to consider the needs of victims of abuse in their Joint Forward Plans (JFP).

More information is available on the government website.