28 November 2008, 08/274
Campaign to
tackle domestic violence increases at Christmas
A hard-hitting domestic violence campaign is
being launched across West Lancashire in the run-up to Christmas -
the busiest time of year for incidents.
In West Lancashire, figures from previous
years between December and January show an average increase of 22%
of reports of domestic violence.
In a bid to tackle this alarming rise during
the festive period West Lancashire Community Safety Partnership -
of which the District Council is the lead agency - is sending out a
warning to perpetrators that it won’t be tolerated.
The campaign aims to raise awareness about
domestic violence, which can be anything from hitting, punching,
pushing and slapping to strangling, name calling and
threatening.
Posters are being put up around the district
to highlight the problem and to give out advice and helpline
numbers for victims.
Cllr Greenall, Portfolio Holder for Community
Safety, said:“Christmas can be particularly stressful for people
living with violent partners because the family are together for an
extended period, or the alcohol is flowing, which can intensify
abuse. Often they will not leave over the festive season because
they don’t want to ruin Christmas. As a result, the New Year is
always a busy time as victims seek help. Therefore, we want our
campaign to raise awareness and show victims that there is support
out there if they need it.”
Messages are themed around awareness, how it
affects children, perpetrators and the warning signs - which
includes partners being controlling, jealous and possessive,
criticising, demands a lot early on in the relationship, or admits
abusing previous partners but says it was the previous partners
fault.
Bill Taylor, Chairman of the Community Safety
Partnership, said:“Domestic violence is completely unacceptable and
tackling this issue remains a top priority for our partners.
Statistics show that every week in England and Wales two women are
killed by their current or former partner and one in four women
experience violence at some point in their lifetime. Don’t be
another statistic, please come forward if you are suffering
abuse.”
Victims of domestic violence can contact the
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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