Added: 02/09/2010 at 09:40:35 AM Last Updated: 04/09/2010 at 02:44:10 PM
This week, Greater Manchester Police officers will be distributing Valentine’s cards with the message: ‘Love shouldn’t hurt this Valentine’s Day’ to urge domestic abuse victims to seek help and support.
Statistics show that last year, there were around 627 domestic abuse incidents across Greater Manchester over the Valentine’s Day weekend*, with 216 reported on the actual day.
“As Valentine’s Day approaches, people are thinking about their relationships, so we want to encourage those suffering at the hands of abusive partners to seek help and support now, before the abuse escalates any further,” said DCI David Riddick of GMP’s Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Unit.
Over the Valentine’s weekend, a number of operations will be in place across the Force including dedicated cars, extra domestic abuse officers responding to incidents and the use of specialist domestic abuse courts.
As well as the cards, a hard-hitting and emotive TV advert will be shown on Channel M and on the Skyscraper plasma screen in Piccadilly. The 60-second advert highlights the effect of domestic abuse on a female victim and her daughter.
DCI David Riddick continues: “Any form of domestic abuse is completely deplorable. The message inside the Valentine’s card reads: ‘You say you love me but hurt me too’ - this is not love and there is no excuse for domestic abuse.
“I would like to reassure victims that all year round, we have trained and experienced domestic abuse investigators available across Greater Manchester to give advice on dealing with all kinds of abuse. They are also there to provide support from the initial report throughout the investigation and during court proceedings.
“Futhermore, we can now act on information from family and friends and all evidence from the scene of an incident is fully recorded so that the prosecution does not rely solely on the victim’s evidence.”
To contact your local domestic abuse unit call the GMP switchboard on 0161 872 5050. In an emergency where there is an immediate threat to life or property, always call 999.
Victims who would prefer to speak to someone confidentially other than the police about their abuse are being advised to contact support agencies such as the Women’s Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0161 636 7525 or by clicking on: www.wdachoices.org.uk
Sam Priestley from Independent Choices who runs the Women’s Domestic Abuse Helpline adds: “We received over 7,000 calls last year, domestic abuse affects many different people and it is important to remember the victim is not to blame. We encourage all women to seek support early, we often get women calling who say they are unsure if they are in a domestic abuse situation, if you are afraid or unsure then seek support now and learn about your range of choices. “
People can also contact the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, if they suspect a family member, friend or neighbour is suffering from domestic abuse.
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End the abuse and give a true gift of love this Valentine’s Day
This week, Greater Manchester Police officers will be distributing Valentine’s cards with the message: ‘Love shouldn’t hurt this Valentine’s Day’ to urge domestic abuse victims to seek help and support.
Statistics show that last year, there were around 627 domestic abuse incidents across Greater Manchester over the Valentine’s Day weekend*, with 216 reported on the actual day.
“As Valentine’s Day approaches, people are thinking about their relationships, so we want to encourage those suffering at the hands of abusive partners to seek help and support now, before the abuse escalates any further,” said DCI David Riddick of GMP’s Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Unit.
Over the Valentine’s weekend, a number of operations will be in place across the Force including dedicated cars, extra domestic abuse officers responding to incidents and the use of specialist domestic abuse courts.
As well as the cards, a hard-hitting and emotive TV advert will be shown on Channel M and on the Skyscraper plasma screen in Piccadilly. The 60-second advert highlights the effect of domestic abuse on a female victim and her daughter.
DCI David Riddick continues: “Any form of domestic abuse is completely deplorable. The message inside the Valentine’s card reads: ‘You say you love me but hurt me too’ - this is not love and there is no excuse for domestic abuse.
“I would like to reassure victims that all year round, we have trained and experienced domestic abuse investigators available across Greater Manchester to give advice on dealing with all kinds of abuse. They are also there to provide support from the initial report throughout the investigation and during court proceedings.
“Futhermore, we can now act on information from family and friends and all evidence from the scene of an incident is fully recorded so that the prosecution does not rely solely on the victim’s evidence.”
To contact your local domestic abuse unit call the GMP switchboard on 0161 872 5050. In an emergency where there is an immediate threat to life or property, always call 999.
Victims who would prefer to speak to someone confidentially other than the police about their abuse are being advised to contact support agencies such as the Women’s Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0161 636 7525 or by clicking on: www.wdachoices.org.uk
Sam Priestley from Independent Choices who runs the Women’s Domestic Abuse Helpline adds: “We received over 7,000 calls last year, domestic abuse affects many different people and it is important to remember the victim is not to blame. We encourage all women to seek support early, we often get women calling who say they are unsure if they are in a domestic abuse situation, if you are afraid or unsure then seek support now and learn about your range of choices. “
People can also contact the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, if they suspect a family member, friend or neighbour is suffering from domestic abuse.
