Devon and Cornwall Police launch new campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse
The force is creating a poem to reflect the story of an abusive relationship
Devon and Cornwall Police have launched a new campaign to raise awareness around domestic abuse and the emotional and psychological manipulation abusers use to control their victims.
In a statement the force said:
"Many abusive relationships begin very positively and happily. Sadly, they then begin the descent into abuse.
"We are creating a poem to reflect the story of an abusive relationship. We would like your help with this.
"We have created the first verse and will publish the first line of the second verse later this week and will invite those with experience of abuse to submit suggestions for the rest of the second verse.
"We will then create the next verses of the poem, based on your submissions, publishing at regular intervals across the coming weeks.
"The final version will be published via social media and the Force website and survivors of abuse will recite the completed poem for a video, which will also be used to help raise awareness of domestic abuse.
"We hope that those suffering abuse might connect with some of the things said in the poem and feel encouraged to seek help."
So far, the poem reads:
It's the start of a new year, and all through the land
We are coping with COVID the best we can
The key has been getting our stress to reduce
Though some have experienced some awful abuse.