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Your roundup of local and national
domestic abuse stories
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MPs call for register to monitor serial domestic abusers and stalkers
Serial domestic abusers or stalkers should be registered and monitored in the same way as serious violent and sexual offenders, a group of cross-party MPs have said, as they put forward a proposed change to domestic abuse laws currently passing through parliament. The amendment to the domestic abuse bill for England and Wales, which is at the committee stage of scrutiny, would put serial domestic abuse and stalking offenders on the violent and sex offender register (Visor) and subject them to monitoring and management through multi-agency public protection arrangements (Mappa). Visor is a database of records of those required to register with the police under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, those jailed for more than 12 months for violent offences and those thought to be at risk of offending, while a Mappa is a coordinated arrangement between agencies responsible for managing an offender in the community.
-The Guardian
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Chelsea donate £100,000 WSL prize money to domestic abuse charity
Chelsea have donated their £100,000 prize money for winning the Women’s Super League title to a domestic abuse charity. The club are engaged with Refuge and the donation from the WSL triumph will be directed to supporting women and children experiencing abuse during the coronavirus pandemic. “It’s a charity that’s close to the hearts and minds of the women’s team, and is very important to our owner, Mr Abramovich, and everyone at the club,” said Emma Hayes, the Chelsea manager. “It makes me proud our club is supporting those less fortunate in times of need. “Up until now our involvement was about supporting the campaign publicly with a call to action but we all wanted to do more than that and if donating our prize money can ease some of the concerns and worries people have, then it’s the least we can do “It’s an important message. It’s a campaign that’s really dear to us and the best way we can demonstrate our support further is by committing our prize money towards it and helping those in need.”
-The Guardian
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With domestic abuse on the increase during lockdown, here’s how to seek help
LOCKDOWN may have been crucial for helping navigate the pandemic, but for many people it has meant being stuck behind doors with an abusive partner or family member. Here, Laura Dix of Women’s Aid (womensaid.org.uk), talks about the rise in domestic abuse and shares advice for those who are experiencing it or feel at risk…
:: What is domestic abuse?
“It’s defined as a single incident, or pattern of incidents, of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence. It’s usually by a partner or ex-partner, but can also be by a family member or carer,” says Dix.
“Domestic abuse can include coercive control, which is a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence. It can also include psychological, emotional, sexual, financial or economic abuse, harassment and stalking, and online or digital abuse.”
-The Irish News
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Aster Housing’s Joe Wicks workouts for Women’s Aid domestic abuse charity
STAFF from a social housing association with homes in Weymouth and Portland are doing daily workouts in fancy dress to raise money for a domestic abuse federation.
12 members of the antisocial behaviour team at the Aster Group will be waking up bright and early each weekday for the next few weeks to get dressed up in fancy dress costumes and participate in a Joe Wicks workout while on a video call to their colleagues.
The activity will be to raise money for Women’s Aid, a federation working to provide life-saving services in England and build a future where domestic abuse is not tolerated.
-Dorset Echo
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Former Arsenal striker Smith joins domestic violence campaign
Lockdown measures across the globe have created a spike in reports of domestic abuse, and football’s world governing body FIFA is working with the World Health Organisation and the European Commission to launch the SafeHome campaign to support women and children at risk. Stressful situations, such as those experienced during the pandemic and the serious economic impact created by it, exacerbate the risk of abuse, while the distancing measures can make victims feel isolated from their usual support network of friends and family. Smith is one of 15 current and former players to join a campaign to raise awareness of the heightened risk, and told PA: “If you are in that situation there are helplines available. Hotlines, support services, social workers, child protection staff, even shelters. “It’s really important they know the numbers to call if they are in an emergency situation. They need to reach out to supportive family members, friends, neighbours, anybody that’s in their local circle of friends.”
-Islington Gazette
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