Working to the same goal: responding to domestic abuse incidents

Working to the same goal: responding to domestic abuse incidents

FORCE WIDE

When someone is in danger and they call us for help, no matter what the circumstances are, the likelihood is one of the first people they meet will be one of our response officers.

This team of highly trained police officers regularly attend a large volume of incidents in one day. A lot of these are specifically related to cases of domestic abuse, more so now summer is (almost) in full swing and the Euros have kicked off.

PC Gareth Stephenson, Patrol Officer from our Grimsby team said: “As response officers, domestic abuse is our main source of demand. It’s where we spend most of our time, and rightly so given it’s the area which probably carries the most risk, especially at this time of year with the likes of the Euros and summer holidays upon us. 

“So, although response officers aren’t classed as domestic abuse specialists as such, I would say we are as educated and exposed to the trauma a victim suffers as our Protecting Vulnerable People Unit and Domestic Abuse Safeguarding and Investigation Teams are, which, to some extent, does make us specialists in dealing with these kinds of cases.

“We are also the ones who receive that first disclosure from a victim, and because that initial responsibility lies with us, we are who the victim sees as the person who is going to make their life better and help them through the process.

“We work really closely with key partners and support networks to ensure we’re signposting victims, and sometimes perpetrators where appropriate in our initial response, to the right places to get the help and support they need. One of those being the Domestic Abuse Alliance who created the WEPROTECT APP - an instant victim referral app used by police forces and other specialist support service providers across the country.

“This app is another safeguarding tool that we can use in conjunction with things like National Centre for Domestic Violence and Independent Domestic Advisor referrals, and targeting high risk and repeat perpetrators, helping with that long-term support and legal aid which may ultimately get them to a point where they feel able to pursue with any proceedings.

“It’s a small thing that can make a big difference and really shows that we are doing everything we can to safeguard those most at risk of domestic abuse.”

Domestic abuse risks within households and the wider public are thought to be at an all-time high when home nations are playing within football tournaments.

During the last Euros, reports of domestic abuse increased when England played by 28%. To put that in perspective, that’s 487 reports in just seven matches.

PC Daniel Boothby, Patrol Officer in Bridlington said: “As a patrol officer a lot of the incidents we attend are domestic abuse related and can be quite complex. This is believed to be linked to tensions, alcohol, drugs misuse, and other factors which affect both perpetrators and victims.

“Due to the large number of jobs we go to I have attended a Domestic Abuse Champion event where lots of different agencies who work with victims in safeguarding and advice attended; working with victims of DA is definitely something I’m passionate about.

“I regularly use the WEPROTECT App because it allows victims of domestic abuse get legal advice and extra support to help protect them. It helps me offer the best safeguarding advice and protection as possible and I believe it shows that we care and will go that extra mile to get a positive result for the victim.”

We have a multi-agency approach to safeguarding victims not just during huge football events like this, but seven days a week, 365 days a year. Our officers are trained to the highest standards and are all working to the same goal: to protect vulnerable people and victims of domestic abuse, and ultimately bring offenders to justice.

Members of the public can expect to see an increase in police presence over the next few months whilst we align our proactive policing and patrols with key home national fixtures, as well as working more closely with partner agencies to protect and serve all our communities.

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Our latest campaign ‘What do you see?’ focuses on all forms of domestic abuse, also aimed at getting perpetrators of domestic abuse to recognise their own behaviour by asking 'Is that me?' so they can get the support they need to stop.

Find out more.