23rd March 2007, 07/104
Partnerships Together: Tackling Domestic
Violence
Police Community Support Officers in West Lancashire have been
on domestic violence training courses as part of the innovative
'Partnerships Together' campaign.
During the sessions the PCSOs from Skelmersdale and Ormskirk have
been looking at the issues surrounding domestic violence to give
them a better understanding of this harrowing type of abuse.
Thanks to the training days they have a much greater awareness of
the problems and can now ask the right type of questions in order
to offer the best help possible to victims who are suffering from
domestic violence.
In addition, the Council's Domestic Violence Co-ordinator has been
delivering 'Support and Contact Cards' to key partner agencies to
give out to anyone whom they feel is being physically or mentally
abused in the home.
This initiative is just one part of 'Partnerships Together' - an
innovative safety campaign that aims to cut alcohol crime and
domestic abuse, keep young people safe and out of trouble and
encourage neighbourhoods across the three boroughs to take
community safety seriously.
Bill Taylor, Chairman of the West Lancashire Community Safety
Partnership, said: "One of the key themes of the innovative
'Partnerships Together' campaign is to focus on domestic violence,
which is such a disturbing and often unreported type of crime. By
raising awareness of the signs and issues surrounding domestic
violence we can hopefully encourage more victims to come forward in
the knowledge that they can get help."
The District Council is also currently putting together a domestic
violence action plan that encourages a multi-agency response to
this problem in order to make a difference to families in West
Lancashire who are suffering from abuse.
Anyone who is suffering abuse and wants support can contact West
Lancashire Women's Refuge on 0808 100 3062 or Women's Aid National
on 0808 2000 247. Abusive partners can contact the Respect helpline
on 0845 122 8609.
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