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Victims of domestic abuse across the North given 'safer summer' help and support
Posted on 27/07/2009
Victims of domestic abuse across the North given 'safer summer' help and support
The police in the North of Leicestershire are running a campaign this summer to give victims of domestic abuse the fullest support at a time when incidents increase.
The police are running the campaign as part of the Force’s ‘Safer Summer’ campaign which is designed to avoid the seasonal increase in domestic abuse and anti-social behaviour which occurs during the school holidays.
Crime analysis shows that domestic abuse increases during the summer period. Across the North Area (which covers Loughborough, Charnwood, North West Leicestershire, Melton and Rutland) there were 634 reports of domestic incidents between the 11th July 2008 and the 30th August 2008 (243 of them involving violence) this is equivalent to an average of 12 domestic related incidents per day.
Officers are working with other agencies such as Women’s Aid, local Solicitors and Housing Advisors to offer victims a full package of support this summer.
Specialist training has been given to officers in Domestic Abuse Procedures and they will be used as domestic abuse champions for the duration of the campaign. Their primary role will be to offer support and advice and gather the best possible evidence at the time of the incident.
Officers across the North Area have also been supplied with a number of small digital cameras or ‘Head Cams’ which will enable them to record evidence of offences which have been committed. Each case will then be immediately referred to a team of specialist Domestic Abuse Investigation Officers (DAIOs) who will work seven days a week during the campaign period. Their role is to take detailed statements and talk through the range of options available to the victim.
It’s hoped the combined work of the officers will lead to the strongest case being presented to the Crown Prosecution Service which in turn will lead to more convictions. DAIOs will also be based at the new Special Domestic Violence Court in Loughborough every Friday to assist Solicitors presenting evidence to the Magistrates.
Inspector Mark Cuddihy from the North Area Community Safety Bureau said; “We have secured funding from each of the four Community Safety Partnerships on the North to run this campaign across all five policing areas. With the children off school, partners on holiday and an increase in alcohol consumption pressures can build and lead to unacceptable violent or abusive behaviour.
“Many women suffer in silence because they are too frightened to pursue a court case and concerned about where they will live and what will happen to them or their children. We can offer them all the help and support they need to end the abuse.”
Visits will be made to repeat offenders to ensure they are sticking to any court orders such as curfews or injunctions as well as any bail or ASBO conditions they may have.
Zoe from Loughborough Women’s Aid said; “We support any campaign that increases the level of support available to people experiencing domestic abuse. We encourage anyone who is living in fear of domestic abuse, to reach out and ask for help. You are not alone, there really are options available to you to, and people here to help and support you through everything.”
Councillor Trevor Pendleton from the North West Leicestershire Partnership in Safer Communities said; "The Partnership is made up of a variety of organisations which are keen to address domestic abuse in North West Leicestershire and further a-field. We have highlighted domestic abuse as one of our key priorities to address in 2009/10. The Partnership gives its whole support to this scheme, and has been helping to plan the campaign through its Domestic Abuse Forum. We are interested to build on the successes of the project in 2008 in our aim to combat domestic abuse."
Kevin Quinn, Community Safety Officer for Melton Borough Council said; “Working in partnership we aim to provide an effective comprehensive service which will support women in breaking the vicious cycle of domestic abuse.”
Councillor David Snartt Chairman of Community Safety Partnership said “Domestic Abuse can be so easy for people to ignore, as it often happens without any witnesses and it is sometimes easier not to get involved. The partnership supports this campaign and works with all agencies to tackle Domestic Abuse in all its forms”
Chair of the Safer Rutland Partnership, Councillor Barrie Roper said: “This is a campaign which we fully support in Rutland, having run our own campaign against domestic violence earlier this year. We encourage anyone who is living in fear of domestic abuse, to get help. Often people do not realise that domestic violence occurs in their area, however we need to let people know that there is help and support out there for them when they need it.”
Nick Watson Justices' Clerk, said; “The courts treat cases of domestic violence very seriously. A specialist domestic violence court is held each week at Loughborough and helps us ensure that those involved in the cases are properly supported. This helps other agencies ensure that the views of victims of domestic violence are communicated to the magistrates, that victims and witnesses are kept informed as to the progress of the cases and that those found guilty can be assessed and sentenced in the most appropriate manner.”
If you would like to talk to a Domestic Abuse Investigation Officer you can call Leicester (0116) 222 2222 ext 4174 or in an emergency situation call 999.
You can contact Loughborough Women’s Aid on 01509 552549 or you can use their website at www.lwa.org.uk. You can also call Rutland’s Women’s Aid on 0116 242 6440.