Warwickshire says no to domestic abuse

Warwickshire Against Domestic Abuse (WADA) is launching a countywide domestic abuse campaign on 25 November, to coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The day, also known as White Ribbon Day offers the opportunity for people around the world to speak out, stand up and wear a ribbon for the women in their lives by pledging never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence towards them.

At the launch, WADA members will be unveiling a pledge wall in Rope Walk Shopping Centre in Nuneaton and asking shoppers to fill the wall with pledges to back the campaign message. The team will be at Rope Walk all day but the event will officially start at 10am, with Warwickshire County Councillor Richard Hobbs and Det. Supt. Neil Hewison from Warwickshire Police placing the first pledges on the wall. 

Pledging will continue online at www.talk2someone.org.uk/pledge until 10 December, a date significant as it is Human Rights Day and the last of the 16 days of activism against gender violence which follow the 25 November.

Warwickshire County Council’s Domestic Abuse Manager Sue Ingram said: “More than 8000 incidents of domestic abuse were reported in the county in the last year, the equivalent of one in six people in Warwickshire. These are shocking figures which we hope will bring home just how serious the problem is.

We are using this event to highlight the problem, get abusers to take responsibility for their actions and remind victims that help is available when they are ready to talk to someone.

Although most victims of domestic abuse are women, we know that men in same sex or heterosexual relationships can also suffer harm at the hands of their loved ones. 

For this reason we have chosen to coincide the launch of the Warwickshire Against Domestic Abuse campaign with this day to raise the profile of local support services and encourage both victims and perpetrators to seek help to change their behaviour.”

WADA ‘smashing night’ posters and leaflets are being distributed to local communities throughout the county urging anyone affected by domestic abuse to call 0800 408 1552* or visit www.talk2someone.org.uk for more information on the support available.   Information will also be displayed on plasma screens and in partner publications and websites.

DS Simon Timerick from Warwickshire Police said “Domestic abuse is not acceptable and we are asking anyone who reads this to help put a stop to domestic abuse in our communities.

It is now much more socially acceptable to report domestic abuse than it ever has been. Friends and neighbours can do this too.  At some time in their lives one out of every four women and one out of six men will be affected by domestic abuse.

Six hundred incidents of domestic abuse are reported every month to police in Warwickshire but during December we are expecting to see a 33 per cent increase in these numbers. This is mostly concentrated over the end of December and start of January holiday period.

If you or someone close to you is being affected by domestic abuse, please don’t ignore it, report it.”

Warwickshire County Councillor Richard Hobbs, Portfolio Holder for Community Protection added: “The campaign launch is timely because although Christmas is a happy time for the majority of families, for some, the time together can lead to tension and violence.

The partnership is using this period to reassure everyone affected by domestic abuse, including victims’ friends and families, that there is a way out.

Rather than telling police or a medical professional, domestic abuse victims choose to confide in their loved ones in three times as many cases, over 50 per cent in all.

As these confidants are often the first to be made aware that something is wrong I hope that the campaign will encourage them to come forward and speak up on behalf of those close to them.”

Help and information is available from a variety of agencies in Warwickshire, for perpetrators of domestic abuse, victims and the young people whose lives are affected. 

For more information visit www.talk2someone.org.uk or call the Warwickshire Against Domestic Abuse helpline on 0800 408 1552* to be signposted to help.

To report incidences of domestic abuse contact Warwickshire Police on 01926 415000 or call 999 in an emergency.