DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS

Published by webmaster for Salisbury District Council in Communities

Organisations working in the fora of domestic violence along with some victims and survivors of domestic violence came together for a coffee morning last week to celebrate all the partnership working and achievements that have been made over the past year.

The event was organised by the South Wiltshire Domestic Violence Forum as part of the recent National Domestic Violence Awareness Raising Week (20 – 24 November). As well as providing an opportunity to meet other victims of domestic violence, specialists in the field offered advice and a selection of printed information was available.

A number of commercial stalls offered books, cards, gift wrap and jewellery. Visitors to the coffee morning could also experience a relaxing massage!

Hannah Easterbrook, the Community Safety Task Group Co-ordinator who organised the event said; “The coffee morning was an opportunity for organisations to display materials and give information on their services.

“Victims of domestic violence often don’t know where to turn for support and can even blame themselves for their situation. Events such as this can help to point people in the right direction and offer practical advice about how to escape from this unacceptable and abhorrent crime.

“Throughout 2005/6 just over 6,700 domestic violence incidents were reported to the police across Wiltshire and Swindon.  Nationally just 20% of domestic violence incidents are actually being reported to the police, which suggests that the real level of domestic violence across Wiltshire and Swindon could be in the region of 35,000 incidents per year.

“It is estimated that the financial cost of domestic violence across Wiltshire and Swindon is in the region of £26 million per year, which includes the costs to social services, the police, the ambulance service, local doctors, employers and local education authorities.

ENDS    28 November 2006