Released: 27 March 2026
West Sussex County Council has today agreed a Notice of Motion reaffirming its commitment to tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) and supporting all those affected by domestic abuse.
What to do if you, or someone you know, is experiencing or has experienced violence or abuse.
The motion, debated and unanimously approved at a meeting of the Full Council on Friday 27 March, highlights the continued rise in domestic abuse cases nationally and locally, and calls for urgent action from government to strengthen protections for victims and survivors.
In 2025, Sussex Police recorded 29,601 domestic abuse crimes, reflecting continued high demand for specialist support services. Nationally, more than 1.3 million incidents were reported across England and Wales in the same year. Evidence shows that these figures represent only a fraction of total cases, with an estimated four in five incidents going unreported.
Councillors noted that anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse, while recognising that women and girls remain disproportionately impacted with 1 in 3 females from the age of 16 experiencing domestic abuse.
Through the agreed motion, the council will write to the Home Secretary and the Parliamentary Under‑Secretary of State for Safeguarding and VAWG, urging the Government to:
- Increase sanctions and consequences for perpetrators.
- Improve enforcement of bail conditions and expand the use of conditional bail.
- Accelerate the national roll‑out of Domestic Abuse Protection Orders.
- Ensure specialist training or specialist teams for those involved in domestic abuse and sexual offence trials.
- Improve access to Crown Prosecution Service officers to support case preparation.
- Provide greater financial support for services supporting victims and survivors.
The county council will also ensure staff who work with the community receive training to recognise possible signs of domestic abuse and know how to refer or signpost individuals to confidential help.
Residents affected by domestic abuse can access confidential support via WORTH Domestic Abuse Service on 0330 222 8181, or in an emergency, always call 999.
