Your help could be vital to break cycle of violence

CHRISTMAS for most of us means family gatherings and goodwill to all. Regrettably, Christmas is also the time when domestic violence reaches its peak. Two women are killed every week throughout the year as a result of domestic violence in England and Wales. Kent Police is one of the best performing forces in England for tackling domestic violence. The police take positive action whenever possible and we recognise that this is the best way to protect and empower a victim. However, only a quarter of victims report incidents. While the profile of domestic abuse has been raised significantly it is still underreported. Police and our partner agencies have more opportunities to intervene at an early stage, supporting the victim and preventing untold damage to children’s lives. I often receive comments about young people gathering on street corners but the tragic truth is that some children feel safer on the streets than in their homes. Children witnessing domestic violence often feel very alone, frightened, confused and isolated. School work can suffer and they can find it difficult to make friends. Ashford has a domestic abuse drop-in centre, held on the first and third Thursday of every month at The Ashford Gateway, 14 Park Mall, Ashford. Free and confidential advice about housing and benefits, drug and alcohol, and legal rights is available from domestic abuse officers, social services and a victim support team. All are welcome to attend. Reviews of domestic homicides highlight time after time that friends, relatives, work colleagues and neighbours were often aware of domestic abuse but did not notify the authorities that could have stepped in at an early stage. This Christmas time I would ask everyone to think about his or her responsibilities to others. Does the TV get turned up to block out the sound of violence next door? Do you know someone at the school gates who always has unexplained bruises? Does a work colleague have frequent short-term absences, low selfesteem, is controlled by their partners and may wear clothing to bruises? Could they need help in making the first call to the police or visiting a hospital to have their injuries checked? Your help could be vital to making the first call to the police and partner agencies, which could lead to a break in the cycle of domestic abuse in a person’s life and perhaps ultimately saving it. Helpful numbers: In an emergency call 999 National Domestic Abuse helpline 0808 2000 247 Refuge 0808 2000 247 Kent Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 (to give anonymous information) National centre for domestic violence www.ncdv.org.uk

CI John Frayne