Reports of domestic abuse a day in summer

PSNI’S concern as incidents rise

THE PSNI receives 80 reports of domestic abuse a day throughout the summer holidays, it has emerged.

Almost 5,000 complaints were made to police in July and August last year.

Launching a new campaign, the force revealed officers responded to a claim of domestic abuse every 18 minutes.

Head of the PSNI’S public protection branch Det Chief Supt George Clarke said: “The message of the campaign is, ‘If you feel like you’re walking on eggshells, that’s domestic abuse’.

“It is designed to encourage the reporting of incidents and make victims aware they can take steps to stop it.

“We know unfortunately over the holiday period incidents of domestic abuse rise. From July 1, 2016, until August 31 there were 4,960 incidents of domestic abuse reported to us.

“This compared to 4,795 from the previous year, an increase of 165.”

Mr Clarke added he hoped the online campaign, which will run until the end of August, will encourage victims to come forward.

He revealed within the space of 12 months the number of domestic abuse reports received by police rose by 774 to 29,166.

This is the highest level of recorded incidents since the force started recording data in 2004/05. Mr Clarke said: “We welcome the increase because we believe that this shows confidence is increasing in the police. But despite the rise in the number of reported incidents we still believe a large number of domestic incidents are going unreported.” A 24-hour domestic and sexual helpline is available to anyone who has concerns about domestic or sexual violence, now or in the past, on 0808 802 1414.

Anyone suffering from domestic abuse is encouraged to contact their local police on the non-emergency number 101. In an emergency always call 999.

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SUFFERING Victim of domestic abuse