Extra Dorset Police Visits For Domestic Abuse Campaign
5 December 2014, 07:18
Dorset Police are stepping up their efforts to protect people from domestic abuse, over Christmas and the New Year.
From today (Friday 5 December) additional specially-trained officers will be conducting extra reassurance visits to high-risk victims to ensure they continue to be safe.
As in previous campaigns, police will be targeting serial perpetrators of domestic abuse and ensuring effective safeguarding measures are put in place in relation to children and vulnerable adults.
Known offenders of domestic abuse can expect to receive a police visit to ensure they are abiding by any special conditions or court orders. Along with robust monitoring, officers will also be providing a response to any reported incidents during the festive period.
Detective Inspector Joe Williams said:
“We are determined to support victims in reporting these crimes, and make sure those who inflict abuse are brought to justice. This is a Force priority.
“Along with our own experienced and specially-trained officers who investigate these offences, we also work in close partnership with other agencies who can also offer support, advice and guidance.”
Dorset Police receives on average 700 reports of domestic abuse per month across the county. Reported incidents of domestic abuse tend to increase over the Christmas and New Year period.
DI Joe Williams continued:
“If you commit an act of domestic abuse against your partner, expect to be arrested, dealt with robustly and go through the Criminal Justice System if appropriate. Domestic abuse offences can attract significant custodial sentences.
“Dorset Police is committed to preventing these offences developing into more serious violent crimes. Across the UK two women a week and one man every 17 days are killed by their partner or former partner.
“Alcohol can play a part in domestic abuse. Please ensure you do not become a perpetrator as the result of excessive drinking.
“Our officers want children and families throughout Dorset to be able to enjoy Christmas free from the fear of domestic abuse.
“I strongly encourage anybody suffering from this awful crime to report it and seek help.”
Dorset Police have extra powers through the recently introduced Domestic Violence Protection Notices and Orders, to bar a suspected perpetrator of domestic violence from contacting a victim and stop them returning to a victim’s home.
Members of the public can also apply to the police on 101 under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (Clare’s Law) for a disclosure on a suspected offender’s past history, known as the ‘right to ask’.
The scheme is for anyone in an intimate relationship regardless of gender. Anybody can make an enquiry, but information will only be given to someone at risk or a person in a position to safeguard the victim.
Partner agencies can also request disclosure is made of an offender’s past history where it is believed someone is at risk of harm. This is known as ‘right to know’.
For more information on support services available throughout Dorset visit http://www.dorsetforyou.com/dvahelp.
Dorset Police have also suggested the following contact numbers:
Dorset Police (In an emergency always dial 999) - 101
National DV Helpline (24 hour) - 0808 2000247
National Men’s Advice Line (for male victims) - 0808 8010327
Bournemouth Outreach Service - 01202 209456
Bournemouth 24 hour helpline - 01202 547755
Poole Outreach Service - 01202 710777
Poole 24 hour helpline - 01202 748488
You First (Dorset County Outreach) - 0800 0325204
Childline (for children) - 0800 1111