World

Domestic violence initiative launched in Leicester

by liamssoft | August 15, 2007 at 01:22 am

1576 views | 4 Recommendations | 2 comments

According to Home Office. figures domestic violence is chronically under reported, and accounts for 16% of all violent crime (Source: Crime in England and Wales 04/05 report) The financial cost is in excess of £23bn a year and claims the lives of two women each week and 30 men per year.

Specialist teams of police officers and voluntary sector workers are being deployed at weekends for a trial period in Leicester, England, UK, to provide the best possible response to incidents of domestic violence.

Leicestershire Constabulary is teaming up with Women's Aid, the Domestic Violence Integrated Response Project (DVIRP) and Panahghar for a six week period to assess the impact such additional resources may have.

Three teams of officers will be on dedicated duty every Saturday and Sunday night between 8pm and 4am. These times have been chosen following analysis of domestic violence reports over the last 12 months, which show an increase during these hours.

The aim of the initiative is to reach victims of domestic violence earlier and provide an enhanced response, which should increase the number of offenders brought to justice. By working together, the police and support agencies can take positive action against the offender and offer independent and immediate support to the victim.

Sergeant Pete Williams, domestic abuse supervisor for the city, said: "We know that people who suffer domestic violence often suffer in silence because they are afraid to come forward and are worried that they wont be believed. We hope that this initiative will help to reassure them that the police and partner agencies are there to support them and officers will gather the best possible evidence to bring their attacker to justice.

"The officers attending incidents will wear Headcams to ensure they record as much evidence as possible at the scene, such as injuries, the demeanour of the victim and their attacker and any damage that has been done to the property. In the event that a case goes to court, this recorded footage will enable the prosecution to present the best evidence possible by taking the court right back to the scene of the domestic violence."

* Helpline - 0116 255 0004

* Leicestershire Constabulary - 0116 222 2222

* National Domestic Violence Helpline - 0808 2000 247