Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Assaults hell at Christmas
PSNI warn over domestic abuse
PSNI officers were called to 84 reports of domestic abuse on Christmas Day last year.
The worrying figure emerged as victims were urged not to suffer in silence and report matters to the police.
The PSNI warned incidents are at their highest level since 2004 as they launched their Domestic Abuse Christmas Campaign.
Its message is, “If you feel like you’re walking on eggshells that’s domestic abuse”.
Det Supt Ryan Henderson said: “Domestic abuse doesn’t only occur at Christmas, it happens all year round.
“Unfortunately, however, we know over the Christmas period incidents of domestic abuse rise.
“When we look at the figures from last year’s campaign, which ran from December 15 until January 16, the highest level of incidents reported was on New Year’s Day when we received a total of 142 calls for help compared to 147 the previous year.
“On Christmas Day 2017, there were 84 incidents reported to us compared to 96 from the previous year. Looking at the overall statistics from October 1, 2017, until September 30, 2018, there were 31,008 domestic abuse incidents recorded – an increase of 1,582 [5.4%] on the previous 12 months.
“The figures are the highest of any 12-month period since the PSNI started recording data in 2004/05.
“These stark figures tell us more victims are finding the courage to pick up the phone and make a report, which is encouraging, but we must always remember behind each statistic is a victim.
“What is also alarming is that we respond to an incident of domestic abuse every 17 minutes.”
The officer urged anyone suffering to call police on 101 or dial 999 in an emergency.
A 24-hour domestic and sexual violence helpline is also available by contacting 0808 802 1414.