Intelligence led targeting of high risk domestic violence repeat offenders and the use of video recording to collect evidence at the scene of incidents are just some of the actions that police will be taking to tackle expected increases in domestic violence over the festive season, Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker announced today.
A total of £450,000 is being given to 50 police force areas with Luton in Bedfordshire, Southern in Cambridgeshire, South Western Division in Essex, Western in Hertfordshire and Central unit in Norfolk each getting £9,000 extra funding to dedicate to the Christmas campaign (please see notes to editors for full list).
Domestic violence accounts for 15 per cent of all violent crime nationally and amounts to 31 percent of all violence against women and 5 per cent of all violence against men. This new enforcement campaign aims to increase reporting of domestic violence and reduce the level of repeat offending by bringing more offenders to justice.
Activity undertaken by the 50 police basic command units will include:
- Specialised training for call handlers and the use of police call recordings in evidence
- Rapid response to domestic violence calls through provision of a specific response car crewed by staff with specialist training
- Use of evidence gathering packs, digital imaging and video recording at the scene of an incident, to enable prosecutions where the victim is reluctant to attend court
- Intelligence led action through identification and targeting of high-risk domestic violence suspects including follow up visits to proactively check bail and ASBO conditions
- Effective use of risk identification, assessment and management tools and techniques
- Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferencing (MARAC) action involving local statutory and voluntary groups meeting to discuss what they can do to support the top ten most vulnerable victims; and
- Assistance to local voluntary groups to provide support to vulnerable victims of domestic abuse.
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said:
"Christmas for most is a time of fun and family, however, for some the emotional strain of the season can contribute to a rise in domestic violence. Police tell us there are about a third more incidents of domestic violence related assault recorded on Christmas Day than the daily average.
"We are committed to doing all we can to help tackle this hidden violence which takes place behind closed doors. That is why I am today pleased to announce funding totalling £450,000 towards a new domestic violence enforcement campaign.
"Working in partnership with police, charities and communities, I hope we see an increase in people coming forward, more support for victims and a rise in the number of offenders being brought to justice."
Calls to the National 24 hour Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline, run in partnership between Women's Aid & Refuge, generally increase between Christmas and the New Year with more women reporting assaults and violent incidents which occurred over Christmas.
ACPO lead on Domestic Violence Deputy Chief Constable Brian Moore said:
"We are pleased to receive this additional funding to support our continuing fight against domestic abuse. We recognise that domestic abuse increases over the festive period and we want to reassure victims that they should come forward and that we will support and protect them.
"We also want to continue to send the message out to perpetrators that if you commit domestic abuse you will be arrested.
"Our goal is to keep as many victims as safe as we can and lock up as many abusers as possible for Christmas and the New Year. Perpetrators can be clear that the police will do all within their power to arrest and prosecute them."
Sandra Horley OBE, Chief Executive of Refuge said:
"At Refuge we know that domestic violence doesn't take time off at Christmas. It is a day like any other for thousands of women and children who are living in the grip of violence. But we have to remember that domestic violence is about power and control and systematic, purposeful abuse. So Christmas may mean an abused woman experiences heightened fear and isolation because of intense scrutiny from a violent partner.
"Today's announcement is very encouraging as it demonstrates the Government's commitment to tackling domestic violence. Better protection for women and children experiencing domestic violence is vital, but it is needed all year round - not just at Christmas. Women and children need the best possible protection, no matter what day it is."
This latest campaign builds on the significant progress that the Government has made to tackle the issue of domestic violence in recent years which includes:
- the setting up of 64 Specialist Domestic Violence Courts
- the establishment of 100 Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences
- the provision of over 100 Independent Domestic Violence Advisors
- a domestic violence co-ordinator and champion in every police force and CPS area
- a 59 percent decrease in the prevalence of Domestic Violence between 1995 and 2006/07, according to the British Crime Survey (2006/07)
- a rise in successful prosecutions from 46 percent in December 2003 to 66 percent in December 2006. In April 2007 the average for the whole year 2006-07 had reached 65.2 percent exceeding the target of 64 percent and by September 2007 it had reached 68.3 percent; and,
- the development of a Domestic Violence National Action Plan which shares best practice and identifies goals for the future.
