Conferences in Cambridgeshire & Hertfordshire break the silence on domestic abuse

Domestic Abuse is usually something that people find hard to talk about. This didn’t seem to be the case at the Cambridge City Council and Hertfordshire County Council events this week. The rooms at the Guildhall and the Offley Place Hotel respectively were packed to the rafters with professionals from all areas of business, local councils, private and public sector. The most powerful thing and possibly surprising to those who do not work in the domestic abuse sector is among the attendees were indeed men. After all 40% of men are affected by domestic abuse and it can be argued that domestic abuse cannot be completely eradicated without the support of men and women alike.

Among those men attending the Cambridgeshire City Council event, four of them from different areas of business, were White Ribbon Ambassadors. Again this is hopefully a sign of the times that women will no longer be fighting the fight against domestic abuse alone. Also a surprising feature of the Hertfordshire County Council event is that a portion of the conference was dedicated to domestic abuse in the LGBT+ community. If domestic abuse is an area that not a lot of people talk about, a lot less is spent talking about abuse in LGBT+ relationships and it is encouraging that not only is it being included in the conference, it had its own workshop given by a representative from Galop, which is an LGBT+ anti violence charity.

Attending both conferences is a sure sign that not only is there more conversation about domestic abuse awareness and prevention, but that this conversation is reaching all corners of domestic abuse as a whole. There is more understanding of not only different types of abuse,
whether financial abuse, coercive control, or sexual abuse and who it affects, and how we can tailor support, guidance and legal help to them.

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DAily Alliance- 8 June, 2020









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Your roundup of local and national
domestic abuse stories

Caroline Flack death: Prosecutor says assault trial was right due to concerns her boyfriend ‘was in danger’
The prosecutor who pursued an assault case against TV presenter Caroline Flack before her death has defended his decision – and says he had “never heard of her”. Ed Beltrami, 52, said he decided to continue with the trial after Flack’s boyfriend, Lewis Burton, dropped his assault complaint against her because he was concerned about what could happen to Burton. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) at the time was widely blamed by the public – and Flack’s management – for being a trigger for the Love Island presenter taking her own life three weeks before the trial was due to begin in February.
-Sky News

‘Leave that lady alone’: rugby star’s domestic violence video sparks outcry in Papua New Guinea
A shocking video that appears to show a Papua New Guinean sports star being beaten by her partner has sparked outrage across the country and prompted calls for the government to take urgent action to address high rates of violence against women. Graphic photographs and a video that appear to show a man repeatedly head-butting a woman and hitting her across the face with a hot clothing iron were widely shared across social media in Papua New Guinea over the weekend, sparking outrage. Rugby star Debbie Kaore identified herself as the woman in the video and said it showed her being attacked by her partner, Murray Oa, a Lieutenant in the Papua New Guinea army, with whom she has a two-month-old baby.
– The Guardian

After Sally Challen, we now have a chance to tackle coercive control
The day my mother’s conviction for the murder of my father was quashed marked a turning point – for our family and for society. Yet why, a year on from the landmark case that recognised the abuse my mother suffered, are we still failing victims of coercive control and seeing her story as unique? My mother, Sally, 66, is now discovering life as an independent woman for the first time since the age of 15, free from the coercion and control she experienced for over 40 years from my father.
-The Guardian

1,000km to battle domestic abuse
Four plucky men have decided to take on a challenge of a lifetime and raise money for a domestic abuse charity. The friends are dividing and planning to conquer the mammoth task ahead of them. The plan is for Owen Cundall, Will Burton, Lewis Burton and Dan Robinson to complete 250km each over the month of June, about 8km a day with the aim of raising £1,000 for Refuge charity. While furloughed from his IT consultant job, Owen, 22 from Blencogo said: “While the lockdown may be easing for some, women and children are still suffering the consequences of domestic violence.
-News & Star

Woman ‘almost killed by partner’ urges others to call time on domestic abuse during lockdown
The mum from South Swindon hopes by speaking out she will help others who find themselves in a similar position during lockdown. She believed the father of her 18-month old toddler was going to kill her during the night-time attack 17 years ago. It was only when neighbours heard the screaming that the police were called. She says that saved her life.
-Swindon Advertiser

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DAily Alliance-5 June, 2020









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Your roundup of local and national
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Charity opens Midlands HQ as domestic abuse cases soar
Breaking the Silence (BTSUK), which also supports victims of forced marriage and human trafficking, has taken a five-year lease on offices at Aston in Birmingham, landlord Key Land Capital has announced. The move to Aston Cross Business Village will enable the charity, established by Raj Holness – a survivor of many years of sexual and domestic abuse – to provide help and support for many more adult and child victims across the region. Breaking the Silence supports and empowers victims and their dependents from all walks of life, allowing them to take back control of their lives and break the silence of their trauma, achieved through its six-month intensive therapeutic ‘Building From Broken Pieces’ Programme.
-Express & Star

Domestic abuse reports ‘likely to rise in Telford after lockdown
Telford & Wrekin Council’s public health chief Liz Noakes says domestic abuse crimes and incidents recorded by West Mercia Police actually fell in April and May, compared to the same period in 2019. Charities are predicting a “potential 30 per cent rise” once households come out of lockdown, she adds. In a report for the borough’s health and wellbeing board, Ms Noakes says the council has allocated more than £300,000 to help support victims and work with perpetrators, and has successfully bid for around £65,000 from central government towards safe accommodation.
-Shropshire Star

Thirteen per cent decrease in crimes recorded under Domestic Abuse Act 2018
There has been a drop in crimes recorded under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, according to Scotland’s chief statistician. In figures released today that analyse the impact of the coronavirus lockdown, a 13 per cent drop in domestic abuse crimes was reported as compared with April 2019. Recorded sexual crimes were 26 per cent lower overall, prompted mainly by a drop in offences of sexual assault (down by 46 per cent) and rape and attempted rape (down by 27 per cent), while non-sexual crimes of violence fell by 14 per cent.
-Scottish Legal News

Sisters-in-law walk 60,000 steps to help victims of domestic abuse
SISTERS-IN-LAW Denise and Kerry Hampshire smashed their 60,000-step challenge to raise money for victims of domestic abuse. They set themselves a target to walk the distance across six days for Swindon Women’s Aid. Denise and Kerry, from Wroughton, wanted to help the charity keep up its 24-hour support service during the pandemic. Denise, 47, told the Adver: “I saw that they were desperate for funds because they usually get their income from their shop in Swindon. But now that’s closed they have been struggling. “So me and my sister-in-law decided to use all the time we had and do something for charity.”
-Swindon Advertiser

Domestic abuse now accounts for 40 per cent of police calls
Since lockdown measures have eased, domestic abuse calls to Kent Police have increased nearly five-fold, the head of Kent Police has said. Chief Constable Alan Pughsley made the admission during his quarterly Performance and Delivery Board meeting with Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott who quizzed him on concerns from charities and others that the lockdown has caused a spike in violence in the home. The Chief Constable said before lockdown measures were eased, domestic abuse accounted for between 6-11 per cent of all calls to Kent Police. But that figure has rocketed over the last fortnight.
-Times of Tunbridge Wells

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DAily Alliance- 4 June, 2020









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domestic abuse stories

Billy Joe Saunders gives update on hearing over mock domestic violence instructions video, still waiting for date from BBBofC
Billy Joe Saunders’ licence remains suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control as a date for his hearing is yet to be set. The WBO super-middleweight world champion posted a controversial video with mock instructions on domestic violence back in March, which saw the BBBofC take action.  However, initial plans to stage a hearing via video conferencing during the coronavirus lockdown appear to have proved difficult.
-Talk Sport

Draft strategy to tackle violence and ‘hidden crime’ in Wolverhampton backed
Cabinet members at Wolverhampton Council signed off on the proposals which have a focus on tackling re-offending – and well as hate crime – in the city. The strategy, which runs until 2023, is expected to be signed off by the authority’s full council meeting later this month. Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: “The draft Community Safety and Harm Reduction Strategy has built on the successes of the previous strategy between 2017 and this year. “The number of reports of domestic abuse has increased which shows there is confidence of people coming forward – and there’s a dedicated website to tackle hate crime.”
-Express & Star

Campaign to support people facing gender-based violence
An awareness campaign has been launched to help universities and colleges support staff and students facing gender-based violence (GBV) during the Covid-19 lockdown. The website and social media campaign aims to reach people who are experiencing GBV and also make perpetrators address their responsibility. It has been launched by charity EmilyTest in partnership with education charity Advance HE, College Development Network and Universities Scotland. EmilyTest is named after 18-year-old University of Aberdeen student Emily Drouet, who took her own life after suffering abuse from her boyfriend at her halls of residence.
-STV News

Halifax domestic abuse survivor speaks out about how she was ‘trapped in constant fear’
The woman was 17 when her boyfriend at the time subjected her to five months of physical and emotional abuse.
Now 24, the survivor has spoken out, recalling how she was punished with violence each time she attempted to escape, including an incident where he held a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her. The abuse began in 2013 when her boyfriend started with coercive control, telling her she had to stay at his house and taking her phone from her, before escalating into physical violence.
-Halifax Courier

New approach to tackling domestic abuse in Northamptonshire with more early support for victims
A team is being set up to take a new approach to tackling domestic abuse in Northamptonshire to help victims at the earliest opportunity. Police and partner organisations currently prioritise the most serious domestic incidents and those where the risk to the victim is greatest, meaning lower level reports are not dealt with. The new domestic violence advisers will be reviewing every domestic incident reported to police to support more victims and prevent behaviour escalating.
-Northamptonshire Telegraph

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DAily Alliance- 3 June, 2020









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Your roundup of local and national
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Refuge campaign depicts the realities of domestic abuse as cases surge
Refuge, the national domestic abuse charity, has created a short film that lays bare the realities of domestic abuse, as reported cases surge under lockdown. Since Boris Johnson’s request in March that the British public stay at home, calls and contacts to Refuge reported that calls its helpline have risen by 66%, and visits to its website have risen ten-fold. At least 15m more cases of domestic violence are predicted around the world as a result of the pandemic restrictions, according to UN data.
-The Drum

West Ham Women team up with domestic abuse charities
West Ham are teaming up with Hestia and Refuge to support their urgent appeals to raise funds for thousands of people they support across London and the South East, with the charities prioritising the safety and well-being of vulnerable women, children and men across Newham and Barking & Dagenham. Hestia’s urgent Covid-19 appeal will help to provide packages which include essential items including food, nappies, cleaning equipment and entertainment, so that individuals and families can stay safe and well during the lockdown. The club has pledged to run a bucket collection at a future West Ham women’s fixture when fans are in attendance, in support of both charities.
-Brent & Kilburn Times

Teens fundraise for Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline in wake of coronavirus
Two St Albans teens have raised more than £500 for the Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline in a bid to help those suffering in the midst of the coronavirus lockdown. Emily Bloomfield, 16, and Jess Simons, 17, have been busy taking on running challenges, covering 125km between them. Emily said: “We wanted to do what we could to help support those who might be suffering the most during lockdown, and it was important to us to support the amazing work of the helpline.”
-The Herts Advertiser

Bosses told to look for these telltale signs their staff may be in an abusive relationship
A domestic abuse support service is urging bosses to be on the look-out for tell-tale signs their employees might be in an abusive relationship as more people return to work. New Era provides emotional support, practical advice and advocacy services for anyone affected in Burton and elsewhere in Staffordshire, including victims and their families. It also offers help to perpetrators who want help to change their abusive behaviour. Mickey Hemmings, New Era’s acting head of service, said: “There’s no doubt the lockdown has brought added emotional, financial and other pressures for many people. “If a colleague is showing a change in their personality, either by being quieter and more withdrawn than usual, appearing to be on tenterhooks or worried about something, it might be a sign they are in an abusive relationship and in need of support.”
-Derby Telegraph

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DAily Alliance- 2 June, 2020









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Your roundup of local and national
domestic abuse stories

What India’s lockdown did to domestic abuse victims
Like in many other countries across the world, India’s prolonged coronavirus lockdown has proved to be especially difficult for victims of domestic abuse. BBC Telugu’s Padma Meenakshi reports. On 18 April, Tara – whose name has been changed on request – went online to search for helplines for survivors of domestic violence. It was a little more than three weeks into India’s lockdown, which began on 25 March. Her husband of 15 years had always been abusive – verbally, emotionally and, at times, even physically. But she had her job, which kept her out of the house for most of the day, and her husband often travelled for work, which kept him away. The lockdown, however, changed everything.
-BBC News

More Help For East Riding Domestic Abuse Victims
A confidential online chat facility has been launched by East Riding of Yorkshire Council to give those who may be suffering from domestic abuse another way of accessing help.
The web chat has been set up by the council’s domestic violence and abuse partnership and gives those experiencing, or at risk of, domestic abuse the chance to speak directly to an independent domestic abuse advocate. The service is available between 10am and 2pm Monday to Friday via www.eastriding.gov.uk/domesticabuse and when the web chat is available a “live chat” pop up box will be visible.
-Express & Star

Three outstanding voluntary groups receive a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
It has today been announced that the following volunteer led groups have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK – the MBE for volunteer groups: Barrow Women’s Community Matters, The 12 teams and members of the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association (LDSAMRA), The REACT Foundation. 

Barrow Women’s Community Matters support vulnerable women and children: women who for example have experienced the criminal justice system; victims/survivors of domestic violence/abuse; girls aged 13 and over and boys from 13-16. They provide practical and emotional support and activities to promote social inclusion. Their services include courses to promote self-confidence, self-esteem and improve life skills.
-Cumbria Crack

Mid Sussex woman’s bid to help victims of domestic abuse
Fifty-eight-year-old Star Darke was just a teenager of 17 when she got married – and the relationship soon tourned sour. She endured four violent years before finally gaining the courage to leave and is now determined to help other women in similar situations. “I read something that said instances of domestic abuse had gone up by 48 per cent during lockdown,” she said. “I knew I couldn’t just turn and look the other way.” 
Star, who lives in Haywards Heath, decided to raise money for the charity Refuge.org.uk. “I have been known for the last 30 years for my long and often multi-coloured hair so I decided to shave it off to raise funds for Refuge. “I started with a goal of £150 and overnight it reached more than £400 and it’s just growing.” She has now raised more than £1,400.
-West Sussex County Times

Don’t blame it on booze and stress – ending the myths and excuses around domestic abuse
A series of posters and leaflets aim to dispel a range excuses and myths around the causes of domestic abuse, such as blaming it on stress or increased alcohol consumption. It also encourages people not to make excuses for abuse, and take action by following a series of safe steps. Advice includes making suggestions to the victim, not demands, and sharing support information, if safe to do so. The campaign comes after a survey of specialist violence against women and girls service providers revealed widespread concern over the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
-The Shields Gazette

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DAily Alliance- 1 June, 2020









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The DAily Alliance

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domestic abuse stories

New NI probation safeguards after rise in domestic abuse
New safeguards have been introduced by probation services in Northern Ireland in response to rising rates of domestic abuse during the coronavirus pandemic. The number of reports to police and calls to a 24-hour helpline for victims are both on the increase. The Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI) is now working to ensure increased monitoring and focus on abuse perpetrators and other offenders with a history of domestic crimes.
-ITV News

Coronavirus lockdown puts adults and children at risk of domestic abuse, doctors and charities warn
Isolation and financial pressures as a result of lockdown are putting adults and children at risk of domestic abuse, doctors and charities have warned. Professor Martin Marshall, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said lockdown “exacerbates the risk” victims of domestic abuse face on a daily basis, with the most serious cases having “tragic consequences”. He is one of many doctors and charities who have signed a letter urging Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, to support health professionals in spotting victims attempting to disclose abuse amid the pandemic.
-The Telegraph

Coronavirus in Ireland: 25% increase in domestic abuse during lockdown
Almost 5,600 incidents of domestic abuse have been recorded by gardaí in the past two months in a surge of cases linked to Covid-19 restrictions on people’s movement. New figures provided by An Garda Síochána show gardaí have dealt with 5,592 cases of individuals who have been the subject of domestic abuse since Operation Faoiseamh, the Garda’s dedicated domestic violence operation during lockdown, was launched on April 1. The figures represents a 25 per cent increase in the number of domestic abuse incidents recorded by gardaí over the same period in 2019.
-The Times

Abused Woman Who Killed Husband Is Granted the Family’s U.K. Estate
A British woman who was convicted of killing her husband after decades of emotional abuse is entitled to the family’s estate, a judge has ruled — the latest development in a case that has gripped Britain for years and exposed the challenges of confronting domestic abuse. The woman, Sally Challen, 66, was found guilty in 2011 of having murdered her husband the year before, but her conviction was thrown out last year after new evidence showed that she had been subjected to coercive control, a criminal offense in Britain since 2015. 
-The New York Times

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DAily Alliance- 29 May, 2020









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The DAily Alliance

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Children witnessing domestic abuse can still be supported at school during COVID-19
Schools in Cumbria will still be provided with early reporting on children in their care who have witnessed domestic abuse to assist in the protection of a vulnerable child or young person during COVID-19. Operation Encompass is an initiative designed to provide early reporting to schools of any domestic abuse incidents that occur outside of school hours and might have an impact on a child attending school the following day. During COVID-19, any reports given to the Police on domestic abuse and children are being shared with the schools safeguarding teams. Once received the safeguarding team make contact and personal visits to any vulnerable children they are made aware of.
-Cumbria Crack

Internet access helps victims of domestic abuse
FIFE Women’s Aid has secured internet access for its 41 refuges so women and their families fleeing domestic abuse can stay connected during lockdown. The move, part of a partnership with Fife Council and St Andrews University’s Lumsden Club, follows a surge in calls for help during the coronavirus pandemic. It means 41 women and 39 children can connect to the internet and maintain contact with family, friends and their community, while youngsters can also access schoolwork. Kate McCormack, manager at Fife Women’s Aid, said: “We are eternally grateful to everyone involved in making this substantial project a reality.
-Dunfermline Press

Domestic abuse commissioner ‘essential’, says Women’s Aid
A domestic abuse commissioner is essential to hold Government to account, a campaigner in Northern Ireland has said. Justice Minister Naomi Long has previously ruled this out and argued the money would be better spent directly helping support groups. She is piloting draft legislation through the Stormont Assembly. But Sonya McMullan from Women’s Aid said other parts of the UK had benefited from having a dedicated commissioner during the coronavirus pandemic.
-Irish News

Government grant available for groups supporting victims of domestic or sexual abuse
Police and Crime Commissioner, Michael Lane, has successfully secured the opportunity to bid for additional funding from the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) to specifically support organisations that work locally with victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. Submissions made to Government demonstrating the need for additional resources to support victims of domestic and sexual abuse have resulted in funding being set aside by the MOJ for service providers to apply for through their Police and Crime Commissioner.
-On The Wight

Men must play their part in stopping violence against women – Davy Thompson
The increase in domestic violence during the lockdown is a matter of grave concern. The Betting and Gaming Council has worked with White Ribbon Scotland – a charity which seeks to raise awareness about gender-based violence – for a number of years and our betting shop employees have been hugely supportive of the charity. With that in mind, the BGC has decided to donate its latest Friends of the Scotsman article to help promote the important work of White Ribbon Scotland. White Ribbon Scotland, like all organisations which run campaigns, relies on associations with others to circulate our message. We are grateful to our friends at the Betting and Gaming Council for the opportunity to present this piece.
-The Scotsman

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