New video launched to target summer rise in domestic abuse
The PSNI has partnered with a number of agencies to release a new video around domestic abuse, with the crime historically increasing during summer months.
It is one of the most prevalent crimes that officers have to deal with in Northern Ireland.
From 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019, there were 31,682 domestic abuse incidents recorded by PSNI.
That was an increase of 5.9% (1,769 incidents) from the previous year.
The figures are the highest of any 12-month period since PSNI started recording data in 2004/05.
Detective Superintendent McNally said: “These are stark statistics, and we must never forget behind each statistic is a victim with a harrowing story of abuse.
“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."
Sadly, it is estimated that around two out of five people who make a complaint choose not to follow it up through the courts.
DS McNally said the PSNI is working on that and it wants more people to have confidence in it.
"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.
“We work closely with statutory and voluntary agencies to ensure victims get the help they need, to highlight the issue of Domestic Abuse and to explore ways in which we can keep people safe.
"In addition to uniformed officers trained to respond to and investigate domestic incidents, PSNI also has dedicated domestic abuse officers across Northern Ireland to ensure all domestic abuse crimes are investigated, as well as providing support and information to victims about police procedures and legal proceedings."
Karen Gallagher is interim Chief Executive of Nexus NI, the charity dedicated to helping victims of sexual violence.
She said there was one thing in particular that stopped people from coming forward.
"Fear, I suppose, mainly," she said.
"The uncertainty of justice and the outworkings of what their call might mean for them, given they may very well be living with the perpetrator.
"It is mostly fear of the unknown that stops people from making the call.
"We need to show that it is worth people's while by getting more people convicted through the justice system.
"And we need more help and support for victims in the system, because it's not for the faint hearted and it can be a bit of a minefield."
Anyone suffering from domestic abuse should contact police on the non-emergency 101, or in an emergency call 999.
A 24-hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline is available to anyone who has concerns about domestic or sexual abuse, now or in the past on 0808 802 1414.