Recent news

Find out more about the work of the Safer Havant Partnership through these recent news stories:

Expect Respect in Leigh Park

Following their successful domestic abuse campaign last December, The Safer Havant Partnership has given funding to the local charity Havant Women’s Aid to run a programme of activities helping young people to deal with domestic abuse issues.

The ‘Expect Respect’ programme focused on raising awareness of domestic abuse and trying to break the cycle of abuse with young people in the local area. Current research shows that one in four women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime and that young people who are exposed to domestic abuse are more likely to copy this behaviour and fall into abusive relationships in later life.

Charity workers delivered a varied programme of ‘Expect Respect’ sessions, including lessons at Park Community School, road shows and exhibitions, a community dance project and a Summer Ball attended by professionals, clients and local residents.

Another creative element of the project enabled young people from Park Community School to write, create and produce an exciting new short film about domestic abuse called ‘Behind Closed Doors’. The film will be shown at local schools and by community and neighbourhood groups across the area.

Claire Chatwin, Managing Director of Havant Women’s Aid commented: ‘This work is crucial as young people who are experiencing domestic abuse often feel isolated and unable to seek help from support agencies’.

Safer Havant Partnership Survey Results Are In!

The Safer Havant Partnership seeks the views of local residents throughout the year to find out more about the issues and locations that residents would like them to focus on. Over the last year the Partnership has asked over 1500 local residents about the community safety issues that matter to them.

In December the Partnership spoke to 180 young people who attend schools in the Havant borough, asking them where they felt unsafe in their local area. 87% of the young people questioned said that there were areas in the borough where they felt unsafe, with parks, local shops, woods and alleyways identified as the areas where many did not feel safe.

The Partnership uses the results of all the surveys and consultation that they undertake to inform their priorities for the year ahead. Resident feedback also informs Partnership work, including increasing patrols, commissioning projects and identifying locations for community events. Follow the link below for the full findings from the survey:

Link to the results of surveys conducted by the Partnership in 2009 >>

Home Office name Safer Havant website as one of 'Ten of the Best'

The Safer Havant Partnership website has also been recognised nationally this week, after being handpicked by the Home Office as one of the ten best attempts in the country to get local residents involved in community safety. The website was praised at a conference attended by the Prime Minister and will be used as a good example throughout the county. Follow the link below to read the new Home Office Guide:

Link to Home Office document 'Ten of the Best' (PDF file) >>

Autism Awareness card launched

Autism Alert Card

Havant Borough Council is working in partnership with the Hampshire Autistic Society to publicise the new Autism Alert Card, which can be carried by anyone with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The card is designed to be shown if an individual finds themselves in a situation where they cannot easily explain their behaviour. Staff from Havant Borough Council who regularly come into contact with members of the public received training to help them to work sensitively with anyone with the condition. For further information on the Hampshire Autistic Society or the Autism Awareness card please call 023 8063 3951 or follow the link below:

External link to Hampshire Autistic Society website >>

Link to more news from the Safer Havant Partnership >>