A NEW initiative to protect children who may be at risk from domestic abuse has been launched today.

Operation Encompass will create a partnership between the police and schools across the county to provide ongoing support for any child who may have witnessed or been a victim of a domestic incident.

It means that when police attend an incident involving domestic abuse at a property where a child or children live – even if those children weren’t present at the time – key information about it will be shared with a designated member of staff at their school.

This information, which police said will be done in the strictest confidence, will be in addition to any other action offices take as part of their investigation.

The school will then be able to provide the child with appropriate, ongoing support, alongside existing safeguarding measures.

Det Supt Joanne McHugh, who is coordinating the initiative for the police, said: “We know that there are damaging, long-term effects for children who live in homes where domestic abuse takes place. They are often the ‘hidden’ victims and their voices don’t always get heard.

“We also know that the police are generally not called after one domestic abuse incident – in fact statistics show on average we aren’t made aware until several incidents have already taken place, many of which may have been witnessed by children. This is why it is imperative that we seize every opportunity to make sure those children are offered the necessary support.

Operation Encompass is a national charitable initiative and has already been rolled out in several other areas of the UK.

A pilot scheme will be rolled out in some areas of Lancashire this week but and will go force-wide from May 7.

Siobhan Collingwood, who is head teacher at a Lancashire school,: “

Using the materials provided, school staff will be able to be part of a support package that ensures vulnerable children recover from their experiences and are able to fulfil their true potential.”

Police and crime commissioner Clive Grunshaw said: “We know that over 90% of domestic violence incidents are witnessed by children so I am really pleased to see Operation Encompass rolled out across Lancashire

More information can be found at www.operationencompass.org/

Advice and support on domestic abuse can be found on at www.lancashire.police.uk/help-advice/personal-safety/domestic-abuse.