The West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner has welcomed the Government’s bill as part of his wider approach, to tackle domestic abuse and provide support for victims and survivors.
More than 15,000 domestic abuse offences were reported in West Mercia in the last year, accounting to 17% of all crime*.
The Commissioner has increased his investment in specialist support for domestic abuse victims, invested in the Drive programme to challenge perpetrator behaviour and maintained a focus on backing the force with resources and training to continue to prioritise tackling the crime and supporting victims.
Satisfaction levels amongst victims are high with 92% saying they would feel confident to report to the police again, and 94% saying they would recommend contacting the police to others in a similar situation.**
The Domestic Abuse Bill, announced by the Prime Minister, will provide consistent support services for victims and survivors, including a legal duty to local authorities to provide refuge to victims and survivors.
Commissioner John Campion said “I am committed to putting victims first in all that I do. This welcome step forward at a national level, supports my approach at a local level which is proven effective through high levels of victim confidence. I am pleased that the government recognise that victims and survivors need consistent specialist support, and I hope they will ensure local authorities, and other agencies have the funding and resources to deliver these proposals. I will continue to maintain my commitment to tackling this abhorrent crime.”
For support and advice please contact one of the following services funded by the PCC:
Victim Advice Line: Call 0800 952 3000 – you will get through to a care coordinator who will discuss with you what you need
Email [email protected] and a care coordinator will respond to you.
Online chat at victimadviceline.org.uk– this option, allows you to talk to a care coordinator if it’s not possible, or convenient, to talk on the phone
West Mercia Women’s Aid: Call 0800 980 3331 (Worcestershire), 0800 783 1359 (Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford) or visit westmerciawomensaid.org
Victim Support: Call 0808 168 9111 or visit victimsupport.org.uk
West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre: Call 01905 724514 (Worcestershire) or 01432 344777 (Herefordshire) or visit wmrsasc.org.uk
AXIS counselling and psychotherapy: Call 01743 357777 (Shropshire) or 01952 278000 (Telford) or visit axiscounselling.org.uk
Note to editors:
The Domestic Abuse Bill proposes to ensure victims have access to the services they need to be safe. They bill will provide a legal duty to local authorities to provide refuge to victims and survivors, will establish a new Domestic Abuse Commissioner and prohibit the cross-examination of victims by their abusers in family courts.
For the first time, the proposals specifically include economic abuse and controlling and manipulative non-physical abuse, within their definition of domestic abuse.
* 15,021 DA offences were recorded in 2018/19
** In a recent satisfaction survey of domestic abuse victims:
- 84% said they feel safer as a result of contacting the police.
- 90% said they feel the police care about them.
- 92% said they feel confident to contact the police again.
- 94% they would recommend contacting the police to others in a similar situation
Issued: Monday 13th May 2019
