Victim joins police campaign to encourage domestic abuse third party reporting

Karen Harrison of the Women's Domestic Abuse Helpline and Chief Constable Peter Fahy.

A victim who suffered years of abuse at the hands of her former lover has joined police in the latest campaign to encourage domestic abuse third party reporting.

The 18-year old from Greater Manchester was kicked in the stomach while pregnant with her first child before reporting the crimes to police.

Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy, said: “We want this campaign to encourage those friends, family members and neighbours who know someone suffering from domestic abuse to report the crime. I cannot stress enough the importance of dialling 999 when you believe there is a threat to someone’s life. As a police force we take all reports made seriously and will act on intelligence we receive.

“Most victims suffer in silence and I would not want it to be left till someone has lifelong injuries or even worse there is a fatality before action is taken against the perpetrators. By encouraging third party reporting we can reduce the number of incidents of domestic abuse and can save lives.”

Across Greater Manchester there were 58,732 incidents of domestic abuse between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2013 compared to 59,859 during the same period the previous year, a reduction of 1,127 incidents.

Chief Constable, Sir Fahy added: “Although there has been a reduction in domestic abuse we will continue to tackle this type of crime and will respond to any reports in relation to it.

We cannot talk about specific cases but we regularly see instances where after a tragedy occurs family members or neighbours say I knew that something was going on but I did not want to interfere as I thought they would sort it out.

“We also see cases where lives have been saved because a neighbour who has heard a disturbance has contacted us about it.

“We continue to work with our partners such as the local authority and the Women’s Domestic Abuse Helpline to ensure the best support is available for victims. Together with EndtheFear we have produced a leaflet and poster to encourage third party reporting. The leaflet is designed to act as a myth buster for those reporting as a third party member as many people think that it’s only victims that can report it to police.”

Karen Harrison, from EndtheFear, said: “One in four women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, which means we all know a woman who is experiencing domestic abuse now.

“Women who experience domestic abuse often feel ashamed and alone. They need their friends and family to reach out to them, listen and help break the isolation and seek help. The confidential Domestic Abuse Helpline can discuss the woman’s situation and options available to be safe from domestic abuse. We support women age 16 or over and friends, family or colleagues.”

Figures show that one in four women will experience domestic abuse in their life and up to two are killed by partners each week in England and Wales.

If you know of someone that is a victim or has been a victim of domestic abuse there are specially-trained officers who can support the victim and get them the help they need to rebuild their lives.

For more information call the Women’s Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0161 636 7525 or go to www.endthefear.co.uk for information on how to stop abuse or report incidents to Greater Manchester Police on 101 where you can ask to be transferred to the specialist domestic abuse unit. In an emergency and where there is a threat to live always dial 999.