Hundreds of domestic abuse victims reach out to PSNI over Christmas

116 victims rang the PSNI last Christmas Day, the highest number since records began.

That's compared to the 84 calls they received the previous year.

To help target the issue, police have launched their annual Christmas Domestic Abuse campaign.

Scheduled to run until mid-January, the aim of the campaign is to encourage victims of domestic abuse to report it.

Using an animation video to highlight the message ‘Speak out to Stop it’, the campaign will be promoted via online advertising across Northern Ireland.

From 1 October 2018 to 30 September 2019 there were 31,817 domestic abuse incidents recorded an increase of 790 on the previous 12 months.

Figures also revealed that between Christmas Day and 27th December last year, 373 calls for help were made to police.

On January 1st alone this year, a staggering 158 incidents were reported.

Head of PSNI’s Public Protection Branch, Detective Chief Superintendent Paula Hilman spoke exclusively to our Special Correspondent Sasha Wylie:

Detective Chief Superintendent Paula Hilman added: “Every 17 minutes, our officers respond to an incident of domestic abuse.

“While this tells us more victims are finding the courage to pick up the phone and call us and make a report, which is encouraging, we must never forget that behind each statistic is a victim with a harrowing story of abuse.

“I want to encourage all victims - regardless of age, race, gender or sexual orientation - to come forward and report what is happening to us. Speak out to stop it and we will help you. If you are a victim, you do not have to suffer in silence. You can come forward to report any incident of domestic abuse to us.

Detective Chief Superintendent Hilman concluded: “Domestic abuse is a crime and until victims are aware there is a safe environment to share their concerns, they will continue to hold on to the secret of domestic abuse.

“As the Police Service of Northern Ireland, it is our job to keep people safe. Our role is about prevention, protection and prosecution – to prevent further violence, to protect the victim, children and other vulnerable people and to facilitate the prosecution of offenders.

“Domestic abuse is a terrifying and impactful crime and it is vital that victims know there is help.

“Anyone who is suffering from domestic abuse can contact police on the non-emergency 101 number or 999 in an emergency.

“A 24-hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline is also available to anyone who has concerns about domestic or sexual abuse, now or in the past on 0808 802 1414.”

To view the animation please click on the link https://youtu.be/vj31gMwlduA