Domestic abuse victims urged to get help this Christmas as Wiltshire reports double
Splitz Support Service in Wiltshire say no problem is too small
Domestic abuse crimes soared in Wiltshire over the last six years – and thousands were recorded during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic.
Nearly 850,000 such crimes were reported to police across England and Wales last year, and that is merely "the tip of the iceberg", according to charity Women's Aid.
Rates for many other crimes dropped during a year that included coronavirus restrictions and national lockdowns, yet domestic abuse rose by 6% nationally.
Home Office data shows 7,214 offences were recorded by Wiltshire Police in 2020-21, making up 20% of all offences recorded that year.
That is the equivalent of 10 for every 1,000 people in the area, up from 9 the previous year.
And the area has seen a 50% rise in domestic abuse offences since 4,805 were logged in 2015-16, when records began.
The data shows women are disproportionately more likely to experience abuse and they have accounted for more than three-quarters of those killed in domestic homicides since 2018 nationally – one woman was killed in Wiltshire in that time.
Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women's Aid, said to tackle domestic abuse, society must work together to tackle the "inherent sexism and misogyny which underpin women's inequality and violence against them".
She said: "Women will not report domestic abuse if they aren’t confident they will be believed and action will be taken on their behalf.
"We all have a part to play in unlearning sexism."
The figures suggest most cases of domestic abuse will not see perpetrators charged, with just 8% of cases concluded nationally last year resulting in a charge or summons.
Ms Nazeer said work was needed to restore faith in policing after more than three quarters of investigations were dropped due to evidential difficulties nationally – more than half because the victim pulled out of the investigation.
A Home Office spokeswoman said the Government is committed to ending violence against women and girls, and said its landmark Domestic Abuse Act would improve victim support and strengthen legislation.
She said funding had been doubled for 2021-22 to £25 million in an effort to tackle perpetrators.
HOW TO GET HELP THIS CHRISTMAS
Splitz Support Service in Wiltshire say any sign of domestic abuse should be reported.
If you are being physically abused and feel in immediate danger please call 999. If you feel you can't speak then once you've dialled the emergency number press 55.
For anything else please call the following...
- Swindon Wilshire ISVA service: Call 01793 317482. (Monday to Thursday 9am – 2.00pm)
- Emergency Services at 999 Non-emergency 101
- The SARC - Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 01793 781916
- 24 Hour Domestic Violence Helpline at 0808 2000 247 (nationaldahelpline.org.uk)
- Hub of Hope at hubofhope.co.uk: Call 01225 775 276. (9:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday)