A council scrutiny commission has undertaken a review which hopes will help reduce domestic violence in Hackney.

Hackney currently has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in London, compared to similar boroughs, and the issue was singled out for investigation by the community safety and social inclusion scrutiny commission.

They have now made recommendations on how to support children and vulnerable adults living with domestic violence, coping with budgetary pressures and ensuring perpetrators undertake behaviour change programmes.

Chair of the commission, Cllr Carole Williams, said the report demonstrated the council services addressing domestic violence are “high performing and have begun to transform an area of social care which had been neglected for too long”.

The key challenge identified is to ensure victims see court cases through to their conclusion and are not intimidated into withdrawing early or not showing up in court.