Britons ‘uneasy’ about reporting domestic abuse

Only one in six would share suspicions

MOST BRITONS have admitted they are unsure about how they would cope when faced with domestic abuse, prompting concerns that vital support networks for victims are being eroded.

Only one in six people surveyed by Citizens Advice said nothing would stop them sharing their suspicion that someone they knew was in an abusive relationship. The remaining respondents suggested they may feel uneasy about informing a third party about their concerns.

Reasons could include fears that they could make the situation worse, reluctance to speak up because they were not “absolutely sure” or having a lack of knowledge about the implications for the victim.

The lack of confidence in how to respond is particularly significant given that almost one in three - 31 per cent - of the 2,063 British adults polled knew someone who has experienced domestic abuse.

There are thousands of domestic abuse incidents around the country every week, though it is feared the majority are not reported. In Yorkshire, the region’s biggest police force, West Yorkshire Police, says it deals with four incidents of domestic abuse every hour.

Citizens Advice called for an equivalent of the green cross code to be introduced to set out steps for helping victims.

The charity’s chief executive Gillian Guy said: “A supportive ally can provide a lifeline to someone trapped in an abusive relationship. When someone manipulates their partner’s emotions, controls their finances and even physically assaults them, victims may feel too afraid or defeated to reach out themselves.

“Friends and family are often the only ones who might suspect someone is suffering behind closed doors.

“The lives of victims are at risk whilst they remain in an abusive relationship, so those aware of domestic abuse need to know what steps to take to provide support.”

The Government announced a review of services currently available to victims of domestic abuse in the Budget last month.

Citizens Advice called for the work to consider the role played by family and friends in supporting victims.

Ms Guy welcomed the review, saying it “provides an opportunity for the Government to consider how to stop abuse escalating and make sure abusers are brought to justice”.

Domestic violence and abuse is officially defined as “any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality”.

Friends and family might be the only ones who suspect. Gillian Guy, Citizens Advice