Domestic abuse strategy launched

Chief Executive of Rochdale Council Jim Taylor, Deputy Chief Executive Linda Fisher, Superintendent Alistair Mallen, Council Leader, Councillor Colin Lambert and Rowetta

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A three year domestic abuse strategy to tackle the issue has been launched in the borough by Rochdale Safer Communities Partnership.

At the launch yesterday afternoon, Leader of the Council, Councillor Colin Lambert said: “Domestic abuse has an impact on every member of a family that it is in.

"We have produced a strategy that works with a number of agencies to help victims of domestic abuse.

"Our children deserve to grow up innocent and if domestic abuse is happening in their home, or around them, then that innocence is removed. Let’s provide a service to remove that fear of domestic abuse.”

The average profile of a woman likely to suffer from domestic abuse is a 32-year-old white female. Men who suffer from domestic abuse are likely to be older and are often 37-years-old. Three quarters of offenders responsible for domestic abuse are likely to re-offend at some point.

Happy Monday’s singer, and former X Factor contestant, Rowetta spoke at the launch about her experiences with domestic abuse. Rowetta spoke movingly about her experiences and even spoke about how she was afraid to come to the launch based on its closeness to Bury - Rowetta was living in Bury at the time her abuse took place.

She said: “I often forget how fearful I am and when I was asked to come here today, I was afraid to come because of how close it is to Bury. I was scared in case I got stuck in a traffic jam anywhere near Bury.”

Rowetta got involved with the End the Fear campaign in 2010. Rowetta never wanted to speak about her experiences with domestic abuse but when she was a contestant on the X Factor ten years ago, her ex husband sold his story about what he put her through.

She added: “The police helped me. They got me into a women’s aid refuge and at that point, I don’t know what else I could have done. There is an end to this and there is an answer. As long as the victims can be strong and tell people then there is help out there.”

Currently, Rochdale police receive 16 reports of domestic abuse every day. In four of those reports a crime, such as assault, has been committed and six of those reports will involve children being present.

Superintendent Alistair Mallen at Greater Manchester Police’s Rochdale Division said: “Domestic abuse will not be tolerated within the borough.”

The strategy aims to send out a clear message that domestic abuse will not be tolerated and that work will be done over the next three years to raise awareness, prevent abuse, protect and support victims and challenge perpetrators.

Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner added: “Domestic abuse could happen anywhere and could happen to anyone. We need to reach out and say that we will help victims and that we will help you become a person again.”