PSNI re-launch domestic abuse campaign

Date: 
20 December, 2011

Police Service re-launch domestic abuse campaign

 

The Police Service has today (Wednesday 21 December) re-launched their Domestic Abuse Advertising campaign in the run-up to Christmas.  The campaign is designed to encourage the reporting of incidents and make domestic abuse victims aware that they can take steps to stop it.

 

The advertising campaign will run in a number of hotspot areas across Northern Ireland including North, South, East and West Belfast, Foyle, Craigavon and Lisburn.  It will incorporate radio, billboard and bus advertising.

 

Speaking about the initiative, Superintendent Alistair Wallace said:

 

“Since April – September this year there has been a total of 12,151 domestic abuse incidents, this is compared with 11, 502 for the same period last year.  We know from our research that incidents of domestic abuse rise over the festive season and unfortunately many incidents of domestic abuse still do not get reported to the police Service. I would encourage all victims of domestic abuse to come forward and report the incident to the police. 

 

“It is important that people are aware they no longer have to endure abuse, that there is support for them and a means through the law to address the situation they are in.

“We work closely with a number of external agencies including Women’s Aid, Probation Service, Housing Executive, Men’s Advisory Project, Victim Support. Recently we played host to the Young Voices drama group (Women's Aid ABCL & N) who preformed ‘Family Portrait: Voice of a Victim’ at Garnerville. This is just one of the many examples that we have as a Police Service of working in partnership with voluntary and statutory organisations to highlight the importance of reporting”.

 

Also speaking at the launch of the campaign was Gail McLaughlin, from Women’s Aid in Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey:

“Traditionally we have an increase in referrals to our services just after the Christmas break.  As an organisation we welcome the increase in reporting of abuse – we know that it’s happening, to an estimated 1 in 4 women across Northern Ireland and feel encouraged that victims are coming forward.  We are happy to support this initiative by PSNI and can assure anyone living with abuse that they are not on their own – support from a range of agencies is there for them”.

 The campaign also aims to publicise the 24 hour Domestic Abuse helpline phone number which is 0800 917 1414.

 

Notes to Editors

 

·        The Police Service of Northern Ireland Definition of Domestic Abuse is any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, verbal, sexual, financial or emotional) inflicted on one person by another where they are intimate partners or family members, irrespective of gender or sexual orientation.

 

Incidents with a Domestic Motivation

                     April - September          April - September

Area                         2010/12             2011/12

 

East Belfast            671                        777

North Belfast          966                        892

South Belfast         397                        526

West Belfast          723                        566

Foyle                   1091                      1108

Craigavon             614                        663

Lisburn                 872                        838

Please note:

Figures from 1 April 2011 are provisional and will be subject to change.