A network of ‘champions’ – including hairdressers and GP receptionists – are being trained to counter domestic abuse across Hertfordshire.

Around 200 ‘domestic abuse champions’ have already been trained to spot the tell-tale signs of domestic abuse.

And they have the knowledge and skills to then direct people to the services that can help them.

Trained ‘champions’ include front-line professionals, like social workers, and a number of high level directors, who can have an impact on domestic abuse at a strategic level.

But the majority of those trained so far are working in the community, in doctors’ surgeries, hairdressers and job centres.

The introduction of the Domestic Abuse Champions was recommended by the Hertfordshire County Council’s crime and disorder (domestic abuse)topic group last December.

And on Friday, the progress was highlighted at a meeting of the county council’s impact of scrutiny advisory committee.

The meeting was also told that the Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline had also been formally commissioned and that a recent conference had been attended by 200 people.

Meanwhile, the topic group had also recommended that the Domestic Abuse Partnership develop a county-wide programme aimed at the perpetrators of domestic abuse.

On Friday the committee heard that the partnership has reviewed the support that is already available and has identified some gaps in provision. But, councillors were told, work in this area was still continuing ongoing.

At the topic group hearing, in December 2017, councillors heard that in a 12-month period (April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017) there were more than 2,000 calls to the domestic abuse helpline.

The calls identified 471 female victims and 32 male victims. They also included 270 calls from professionals.

The aim of the topic group and the meeting of the committee was to examine the effectiveness of the Crime and Disorder Partnership and the Domestic Abuse Partnership, in relation to identifying, responding and preventing domestic abuse.