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How loving is your relationship?
Posted on 06/02/2009
Chief Executives
Thousands of beer mats, stickers and bookmarks are asking what love is this Valentine’s Day to highlight domestic violence.
The campaign is being launched this week by Leicestershire County Council to focus on the positive aspects of what a loving relationship should be.
The "love is” message is going out to pubs, clubs, bars, cafes and libraries across Leicestershire and all materials have contact numbers for victims of domestic violence to seek help.
This Valentine’s Day, shoppers will spend an average of £95.80 on gifts with flowers being the most popular gift, followed by chocolate and jewellery.
However, not all of these will be given because of love; some will be given as an apology, or as a way for making amends for threatening or abusive behaviour.
For these victims there is help available, the love is” campaign has a flip side and offers support and advice if love isn’t…”
Byron Rhodes, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: Many victims of domestic violence will try to justify the behaviour of those who abuse them because they still love and care for them. This campaign aims to give them insight into what a relationship should be and how they should be feeling on Valentine’s Day. We would encourage them to seek help at this time”.
After 17 years of experiencing domestic violence, Miss A decided to leave and seek help. She said: Women’s Aid has been my lifeline. I have attended the Freedom Programme, which helps victims to recognise they are not at fault: I understand now the various forms of domestic abuse perpetrators use to control us, and that we should not accept this as a normal way of life. I am now in a healthy, loving relationship, and every day I appreciate the love, respect and equality my new partner openly shares with me.”
Numbers for support services can be found on all the material and victims are being encouraged to come forward and get help. For support and advice, contact the Domestic Violence Helpline on 0116 255 0004 or go to: www.leics.gov.uk/domestic_violence_info
Notes:
To speak to a survivor contact Lucy Hodge, Domestic Violence Coordinator on 0116 305 6017
According to the British Retail Consortium, Valentine’s Day shoppers will spend an average of £95.80 with flowers being the most popular gift (bought by 58%), following by chocolate (43%) and jewellery (28%).
Leicestershire County Council is committed to ensuring there is safe and appropriate support for victims of domestic violence across Leicestershire and fund a variety of services to achieve this aim.
The domestic violence helpline, jointly funded by Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Council, offers support, advice and signposting to victims across the County.
Outreach services are funded in each district across the County offering emotional and practical support and advice to victims in their community. These services support approximately 550 families every year and can be accessed by calling the domestic violence helpline or through local numbers.
To coincide with the development of the Specialist Domestic Violence Court in Loughborough and the MARAC across Leicestershire, Independent Domestic Violence Advisors have been funded this financial year. These services offer support in managing risk and safety and have been an excellent resource for Leicestershire.