This in from the police, in their own words. Ed
Christmas and New Year isn’t all about turkey, trimmings and tinsel for everyone. Across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight we see a rise in the number of domestic abuse incidents and alcohol related violence.
Hampshire Constabulary and Hampshire County Council are running a domestic abuse campaign in the run-up to the festive period to encourage victims, abusers, friends and family to get help.
Increase in incidents in run-up to Christmas
Domestic incidents are the only identified incident type that shows a significantly higher level of reporting in the run-up to Christmas compared to a period earlier in December. On average over the past six years, 20 per cent more domestic incidents have been reported at this time of year than in a similar period earlier in the month.
The campaign launches on Monday, December 10, and will run until the beginning of January.
Get help and advice
Victims, abusers and witnesses are all being urged to get help and advice. All the local information about where to go to get help is available on the Hampshire Domestic Abuse Forum website: http://hampshiredomesticabuse.org.uk
A video has also been produced to encourage people to Speak Out Today.
The video can be found here: https://vimeo.com/user710453/review/41211663/0532316922
Men and women targeted in campaign
As part of the campaign, stickers are appearing in men’s bathrooms in clubs and pubs in 85 venues across Hampshire. This includes heat-sensitive stickers which are placed in men’s urinals, and also stickers on mirrors.
Research shows that a woman being subjected to domestic abuse is likely to experience 35 separate incidents before calling the police. So, as part of the campaign, specific messages will be targeted towards female victims through social media. Adverts have been placed on Facebook to encourage victims to speak out and seek help via the Hampshire Domestic Abuse Forum website.
Live web chat
A live web chat will be hosted on Facebook as part of the campaign on Wednesday, December 12, from 1pm – 3 pm.
Representatives from Hampshire Constabulary and experts from Hampshire County Council will be on hand to answer any queries.
“Domestic abuse is violent crime”
Detective Chief Inspector Ben Snuggs said: “Domestic abuse is violent crime, plain and simple and we work hard throughout the year to protect victims and target perpetrators. However, as our research shows that there is a distinct increase in the run up to Christmas and over the New Year period, we are encouraging victims, offenders and witnesses, to come forward, report domestic abuse and seek help and advice.
“Hampshire Constabulary has also recently signed an Enhanced Measures Protocol with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure that perpetrators are also prosecuted in cases where a victim withdraws their support. I want a clear message sent to those who abuse their partners; that domestic abuse is unacceptable.
“The message is simple, Speak Out Today.”
“Speak out and seek help now”
Councillor Keith Mans, Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Communities and chair of the County Council’s Strategy group for Crime and Disorder, said: “Christmas time is supposed to be a time of happiness and celebration but we know that for many families the stresses and strains of the time of year will see an increase in domestic abuse and alcohol related violence. I would urge everyone affected by these issues to speak out and seek help now.”
If you or anyone you know is suffering from domestic abuse, Speak Out Today. Visit http://hampshiredomesticabuse.org.uk to find out about local services and where to go for help and advice. Do not suffer in silence.
