Soap highlights domestic abuse

As a popular soap brings the vivid reality of domestic abuse into Warwickshire homes, people who may be affected by the storylines are being reminded that local support is out there.

A current Coronation Street plot centres on a couple, Cheryl and Chris, who have been in a stormy relationship for sometime. He has recently started to become physically abusive towards her.

Speaking on This Morning, Holly Quin-Ankrah the actress portraying Cheryl admitted that playing the victim of domestic abuse has improved her knowledge of the issue. She also revealed it has given her a better understanding of why some women fail to leave violent partners.

Holly said: "It has been interesting because, getting the scripts, you start to understand why women do that, in a way. You always think, 'If I was in that position I'd leave him', but when you're reading a script, you are inside Cheryl's head."

Leaving a violent partner can be very difficult, but there are services in Warwickshire to help victims of abuse take the first steps to rebuild their lives.

Warwickshire Against Domestic Abuse is a group of support agencies including the county council, the Police and Victim Support, who work together to support victims of abuse and raise awareness of this often hidden crime.

The partnership recognises that the storyline will strike a chord with a number of viewers who may know someone in this position or who may be suffering silently and urges them to come forward and seek help.

Sue Ingram, WADA spokesperson and the county council’s Domestic Abuse Manager said: “We are pleased this matter is being addressed by Coronation Street which has represented the domestic abuse storyline accurately by painting a realistic picture of the physical, mental and psychological aspects of domestic abuse.

“TV drama serials are effective in raising awareness of serious issues as viewers form relationships with the characters and can relate to aspects of their lives, and we hope those viewers affected by the storyline will be spurred on to come forward.”

Warwickshire County Councillor Richard Hobbs, portfolio holder for community protection added: “Statistics tell us that a quarter of women will be affected by domestic abuse in some way, a shocking figure and a stark reminder that we must do all we can to make sure these women can get the support they need. Help and advice is available through the Talk to Someone website or helpline and I would urge people to get in touch.”

ENDS

For media enquiries and photography please contact Helen List in the Warwickshire County Council press office on 01926 414142.

Editors Notes

1. Domestic abuse is any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are, or have ever been, intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.

2. Warwickshire Against Domestic Abuse is single identity through which public services, charities and organisations will raise awareness of domestic abuse and encourage those affected to seek help.

Partners include Warwickshire County Council, Warwickshire Police, district and borough councils, Warwickshire Domestic Violence Support Services, Victim Support, Domestic Abuse Counselling Service, Rugby RoSA and many other organisations involved in tackling domestic abuse.

3. Warwickshire Domestic Abuse Helpline - Calls from most landlines to the Warwickshire Domestic Abuse free-phone number 0800 408 1552 are free and not itemised on bills.

If in doubt, or you are calling from a mobile ‘phone, check with your service provider.

Outside normal hours, please call 0808 2000 247, the free-phone 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline, run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge.

Information is also available online at www.talk2someone.org.uk, the website has a feature which enables users to clear the visit from the computer’s browser history.