Staffordshire charity calls for more action to tackle domestic abuse 'epidemic'
They want more decision-makers to be talking about it
A prominent charity in Staffordshire says they want to hear politicians make more commitments to tackling what they're calling an epidemic of domestic abuse.
Figures estimate 1.7 million women were victims in 2022 with only one in five survivors finding the strength to report it to police.
"This is the bedrock of society really. If we come from happy homes, we won't have to carry knives about or get alternative coping strategies like drugs and alcohol." said Clare Vickers, domestic abuse team lead at Stoke-based charity Glow.
"So we need to create happy people in them, to create a kinder society. So there needs to be investment in youth and school work as well, a preventive strategy. We're forever reactive, not preventive.
"We don't ever seem to be putting that focus on the perpetrator of the abuse, and that's what we really need to do. The criminal justice system as we know at the moment is broken, prisons are full, court dates are taking a long time to get there.
"A lot of investment is needed."
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