County out front in fight against domestic abuse

Area selected for pilot project which has been highly praised and proved successful

WORCESTERSHIRE is leading the way when it comes to one way of tackling domestic violence.
The county was selected as one of three national pilot sites for domestic violence protection orders and – due to its success – has helped shape national strategy, having been highly praised by the Home Office.
The aim of domestic violence protection notices (DVPNs) and domestic violence protection orders (DVPOs) is to provide additional powers to the Criminal Justice Service (CJS) to control the activities of perpetrators of gender-based violence.

Research indicates that from a victim’s perspective, the ability of the CJS to provide safety is key to the decision about ‘staying in’ or ‘dropping out’ of the system.

It is not unusual for situations to arise in which a suspected offender, who is neither charged nor otherwise on bail at the time of release from police custody, is free to return to the scene of abuse, sometimes within hours of arrest. Research shows that this is a time of increased risk to a victim – where a risk assessment is undertaken it is often considered best that the victim leaves the address.

Leaving home can have a negative impact on the victim’s wellbeing and causes disruption to the victim’s children and could be another factor in the prosecution attrition rate.

The orders, also referred to as ‘go orders’, give victims of domestic abuse further support to escape their abusers.

They build on existing police measures providing immediate emergency protection for a victim and their children, giving protected space for them to explore the options available to them and make informed decisions regarding their safety.

VICTIM AND ABUSER: The county has been chosen
as one of three national pilot sites for
domestic violence protection orders

The protection notice gives the victim 48 hours emergency protection with the offender being bailed to appear before the magistrates court where the magistrates can extend the order for between 14 and 28 days. The powers allow the police and other agencies to step in and protect a victim when they are at their most vulnerable in the immediate aftermath of an offence.

The civil orders enable the police to exclude the alleged abuser from returning to the victim’s home or having contact with the victim. The orders are accompanied with a power of arrest and breaches of the orders can result in a custodial sentence. In Worcestershire there have been three occasions of breaches which have resulted in two offenders being imprisoned. These sentences reinforce to victims that these new protective orders have weight and focus on putting victims first.  During the pilot period, there have been 56 DVPOs granted by the courts across Worcestershire, which have resulted in the safeguarding of 70 children.

Martin Lakeman, strategic co-ordinator for the Worcestershire Forum Against Domestic Abuse said: “Building trust and confidence is a key element of our work with survivors of domestic abuse and the successful pilot of domestic violence protection orders in Worcestershire is testimony to this. We are delighted with the positive outcomes for victims and their children and look forward to a future where their safety can be secured.”A local survivor, who wishes to remain anonymous, commented on the DVPO which was granted against her former partner: “There is no doubt in my mind, that if it hadn’t been for the DVPN I would not be here today.”

WE ARE SUPPORTING INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN

THE Worcestershire Forum Against Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence along with your Worcester News is supporting the international campaign the 16 Days of Action that aims to end violence against women.

The campaign which has a white ribbon emblem – displayed on our front page masthead throughout the campaign runs until Monday, December 10.

For further information about the Worcestershire Forum Against Domestic Abuse contact Martin Lakeman on 01905 822357.

To call in confidence about domestic abuse call the domestic abuse helpline on 0800 980 3331 or the men’s advice line on 0808 8010327.

Lynda joins war on abuse



THE nation’s favourite Oxo Mum, Lynda Bellingham, is backing a campaign to tackle domestic abuse in Worcestershire.



YOU DON’T HAVE TO SUFFER: Television star Lynda Bellingham says these hands are not for hurting



International campaign the 16 Days of Action– which is supported locally by the Worcestershire Forum Against Domestic Abuse and your Worcester News – runs until Monday, December 10.



Miss Bellingham was in a violent relationship and suffered physical and mental abuse. She has been a champion of raising awareness of the issue. She said: “It’s vitally important that those who are in abusive relationships realise that they can break free from its constraints.” Miss Bellingham has added her hand prints to a mural entitled These Hands Are Not For Hurting.

Martin Lakeman, strategic coordinator for The Worcestershire Forum Against Domestic Abuse thanked Miss Bellingham for her support.

Today, Worcester Community Safety Partnership will be handing out white ribbons – the symbol of the fight against domestic abuse – alongside a candlelit vigil outside the Guildhall, Worcester, between 4.30pm and 6pm.

University Staff Join White Ribbon Campaign

Staff at the University of Worcester joined together to support a campaign to end domestic violence.

Staff donned white ribbons, which were also placed on trees around the University, to show their support for the 16 Days of Action, being co-ordinated by the Worcestershire Forum Against Domestic Abuse, which runs until December 10th.

Ruth Jones, University of Worcester Senior Lecturer, Researcher and Consultant specialising in domestic and sexual violence, said: “This campaign is very important and I’m really pleased that colleagues at the University have shown their support.

“There is much work to be done to end domestic violence, but by raising the profile and getting people to show their support, we can hopefully go some way to sending out a clear message that it will not be tolerated.”

Ruth was among just 12 people across Europe earlier this year to have been named as a ‘Woman Inspiring Europe’ for her work in the field of domestic abuse. She was also last year’s recipient of the Worcestershire Woman of the Year for Achievement.

New stalking law will help protect victims

STALKING is now a specific criminal offence under a new law designed to better protect victims.

West Mercia Police and the Worcestershire Forum Against Domestic Abuse have welcomed the changes, which came into effect on Sunday.



HUNTER AND HUNTED: As a result of the Protection of Freedom Act 2012, stalking is now a specific criminal offence

 Martin Lakeman, strategic co-ordinator for the forum said: “We welcome the change in law regarding harassment and stalking. It sends out a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated and also, importantly, offers security and protection to victims of harassment and stalking.

“The change in law comes at a time when the forum is supporting an international event that aims to end violence against women and we thoroughly support it.”The change to the law comes in the same week that a campaign to end domestic violence has been launched in Worcester.

The 16 Days of Action is supported by the forum and runs until Monday, December 10. It is being backed by your Worcester News and we are displaying the campaign’s symbol, a white ribbon, on our masthead every day throughout the campaign.

Detective chief inspector Paul Williamson, of West Mercia Police, who sits on the Association of Chief Police Officers’ stalking and harassment working group, said: “Stalking is different from harassment as it involves fixation – ‘the hunter and the hunted’. It is life-changing and some victims of stalking endure years of abuse and other cases end in homicide. “The 1997 Act was introduced to deal with offences of stalking and harassment. However, because a specific criminal offence of stalking was not introduced at that time, police and prosecutors in many cases failed to take a positive approach.

“The new law is designed to better protect stalking victims as opposed to more general anti-social behaviour harassment victims.” The new stalking law is a change to the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 creates two new offences of stalking and stalking involving fear of violence or serious alarm and distress, under sections 2A and 4A of the 1997 Act. The amendments also give police powers to enter and search premises. The new offences will not apply retrospectively so can only be used for offences that take place after November 25.

For more information and advice about stalking and the change to the law, visit westmercia.police.uk / or stalkinghelpline.org.
Alternatively, call the National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 030

Actress Lynda Bellingham backs Worcestershire’s 16 Days of Action

The Worcestershire Forum Against Domestic Abuse is supporting the international 16 Days of Action campaign to end violence against women.

They’re organising a series of events including a candle-lit peace vigil outside Worcester Guildhall on Thurs 29th November 4.30pm-6.30pm. And on Friday Redditch will host ‘These heels are made for walking’ – when men will walk for a mile in women’s shoes.

The Forum’s strategic co-ordinator Martin Lakeman said:

“Worcestershire is working hard to raise awareness and open up channels of communication regarding what is so often a hidden issue.”

He added that although the 16 Days of Action campaign aims to tackle violence against women, The Forum is committed to supporting male victims in abusive relationships and will be highlighting this as part of the campaign.

“The simple message is, do not suffer in silence.”

That’s a message echoed by Oxo advert mum & Loose Women presenter Lynda Bellingham, who’s lending her support. She told Free Radio:

“I myself was in an abusive marriage for 16 years… to live with fear every day is just awful, trust me.”

“My big thing is don’t suffer in silence, talk to somebody… there are places you can go for help.”

• Listen to the Lynda Bellingham interview on Freeradio

If you would like to talk to someone in confidence about domestic abuse you can call: 0800 980 3331

End domestic violence

A CAMPAIGN to end domestic violence has been launched in Worcester.

CAMPAIGN: Members of the Worcestershire Forum Against Domestic Abuse support the ‘16 Days of Action’.

The 16 Days of Action, being supported by the Worcestershire Forum Against Domestic Abuse, runs until Monday, December 10, and is backed by your Worcester News.

Yesterday Martin Lakeman, strategic coordinator for the forum, was joined by deputy chief constable of West Mercia Police Simon Chesterman, chief fire officer Mark Yates, vice chancellor of Worcester University Professor David Green, RAF squadron leader George Paten and university lecturer Ruth Jones at the Guildhall in Worcester.

Your Worcester News will be carrying a white ribbon – the symbol of the campaign – on its masthead throughout the campaign.

We support campaign to end domestic abuse

Event will highlight what can be done to tackle violence against women

TODAY your Worcester News gets behind a new campaign to end the terror felt by victims of domestic violence.

The Worcestershire Forum Against Domestic Abuse has pledged its support to an international event that aims to end violence against women. Entitled The 16 Days of Action, the campaign, launched yesterday, runs until Monday, December 10. During that time we will be displaying the campaign’s logo – a white ribbon – on our masthead.

Martin Lakeman, strategic co-ordinator for the forum, said the original 16 Days of Action campaign had been launched in Canada in 1991 to coincide with International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and International Human Rights Day. “It’s an important event as it helps to highlight what can be done to tackle violence against women at a local level, supported by events and activities throughout the world,” he said.



IT’S TIME TO TAKE ACTION: The Worcestershire Forum

Against Domestic Abuse has pledged its support to an

event that aims to end the violence against women.

 To launch the campaign locally today members of the military, police and emergency services will assemble outside the Guildhall in Worcester and representatives from Stonham will be at Tesco in Evesham. Later in the week Worcester Community Safety Partnership will be handing out white ribbons alongside a candle lit vigil outside the Guildhall on Thursday between 4.30pm and 6pm and on Friday Redditch town centre will play host to a special event entitled ‘These heels are made for walking’, which will see men complete a one-mile walk in women’s shoes – from heels, slippers to wellies and wedges.

Since the launch of The 16 Days campaign more than 2000 organisations in over 156 countries have taken part in a bid to tackle domestic abuse and violence against women. “We are heartened by the level of support and interest that The 16 Days of Action campaign receives locally,” said Mr Lakeman. “We work hard all year round to raise awareness of the misery that domestic abuse causes to families throughout Worcestershire; however an event such as this really helps bring it to the forefront of people’s minds.
“Raising awareness of what is so often a hidden issue is vital in addressing – and ultimately overcoming – domestic abuse. The simple message is, do not suffer in silence.”

Although The 16 Days of Action is a campaign that aims to tackle domestic abuse and violence against women, The Forum is committed to supporting male victims in abusive relationships and will be highlighting this as part of the campaign.

For further information about The Worcestershire Forum Against Domestic Abuse contact Martin Lakeman on 01905 822 357.

To call in confidence about domestic abuse call 0800 980 3331