Shoe sinks into a pile of dog dirt left behind...
Have the dog owners who don’t pick up after their dogs never stepped in other dogs’ mess?
There is an awful amount of it all over the place and the realisation of your shoe sinking into a pile of poo is horrible. Who wears smooth soled shoes nowadays?
Angela Gould
VITAL FUNDING IS HELPING TO TURN LIVES AROUND
VITAL support services funded by Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner Lord (Willy) Bach are helping to turn around the lives of victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Lord Bach’s office has this year secured more than £700,000 from the Home Office and Ministry of Justice to help support charities step up their services to meet demand during the pandemic.
In addition, the commissioner has allocated almost £104,000 from his own funds to expand service capacity and ensure specialist recovery services are available for vulnerable men and women during 2020-21.
Victim First, the PCC’s core service for victims of crime which is run by charity Catch 22, has seen demand from victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence spiral since the start of the pandemic, with victims forced to spend more time at home alone with their abusers.
Among the brave victims it has supported since August is a woman who had been repeatedly raped by her partner, causing her extensive physical injuries which required surgery.
The woman was physically and mentally traumatised by her experiences and had developed self-harming behaviour, depression, anxiety and difficulties coping with day-to-day activities including managing her diet.
After being referred to a mental health nurse and receiving counselling over the phone, the woman has now relocated to a new area in a secure property with an emotional support dog and other pets to assist her mental health needs. She continues to receive counselling and use techniques she has learned to help manage anxiety.
Lord Bach said: “Abuse of any kind leaves deep emotional scars whether it is psychological, physical or sexual and unravelling and healing from these wounds is a long and immensely difficult process.
“It is absolutely critical there are people there, when needed, to help victims take those initial steps to freedom and by freedom I mean not only escaping a violent partner but also freedom from their emotional distress and trauma.
“The pandemic has exacerbated existing abuse and sexual violence and created more opportunities for perpetrators to control their victims. Many survivors are coming forward for the first time and the help they receive from these funded organisations can mean the difference between life and death.
“Support providers are continually developing and adapting their services to reach victims and survivors throughout the health crisis. Supporting these individuals and their families is a priority and I will continue to fight for the funding and resources necessary to aid their recovery.”