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Domestic violence happens every minute - but there's help out there
THERE were 3,000 incidents of domestic violence reported in Calderdale last year.
And that's with a 15 per cent drop in reports over the last two years. It used to be 3,500.
But it is not known if the figures reflect a decrease in crime or that fewer people are speaking out.
When members of Calderdale Council's safer and stronger communities scrutiny panel met to look at how domestic violence was being tackled in Calderdale, they learned just how devastating it was, first-hand from two victims.
Councillors heard moving stories from two women who had suffered domestic violence but had both been helped by Calder-dale's Women's Centre, which is the largest in the UK.
Now the council and the Cald-erdale Domestic Abuse Partner-ship are working towards White Ribbon status – a campaign setting out standards in raising awareness of domestic violence.
Rachel Pickering, domestic abuse officer at the council, said to achieve White Ribbon Status there needed to be increased awareness of domestic violence, including within businesses.
She said work with sports clubs was also needed to reach more men.
Councillor Peter Wardhaugh (Lib Deb, Greetland and Stainland) suggested using various marketing methods, such as posters on buses, to advertise the help available.
The committee heard the Women's Centre is currently helping 10 youngsters and there are 24 on a waiting list.
Peter Wardhaugh brought a motion to secure additional funding for direct work with children.
Chris Green, spokesman for the White Ribbon Campaign, Mytholmroyd, said the council should consider extending its approach to involve schools, nightclubs, housing associations and sports teams.
"We're trying to broaden it out to involve other organisations like the housing associations and leisure services.
"We are pleased to work with Halifax Town and Halifax Rugby League be-cause I think to get sport involved gives a really good message and role models to young men."
'Too afraid to leave'
THESE are the words of one the women who spoke to councillors about her experiences:
"Everyone has a preconception that women who suffer domestic violence somehow like it, or are weak in some way. They don't realise that your husband or partner doesn't start beating you up from day one. They chip away at you. Your self-esteem goes. I had no self-worth or self-belief.
I didn't tell anyone. I wasn't aware of any of the services. I felt isolated and very lonely, like the only way out was if he killed me.
But foolishly I believed that I was keeping everything from away from my children. Then their school pulled me in. My oldest was really withdrawn. They said she was worried about me, about what was happening to me.
It ended with one big incident at home and the children were there.
Then I knew. So I made the decision that I was leaving.
The school put the children in touch with the Women's Centre for counselling. They hadn't talked to anyone, hadn't wanted to talk badly about their father.
Then one of the workers said to me: "Don't you think you need help?" I was very withdrawn at the start but they worked with me.
The help I got was invaluable. Without it I wouldn't have been able to put my life together.
I never reported the violence. I was so frightened if the police came he would get really mad then. I didn't realise there was so much help out there. I think that's why I didn't report it. I was just too afraid to do anything."
Facts
Police attend 260 incidents of domestic violence every month in Calderdale.
A woman is normally subjected to 30 incidents before going to police.
A quarter of women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime.
One incident of domestic violence is reported to police every minute.
Two women a week are killed by a current or ex-partner.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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