Scheme helping Sussex domestic abuse victims during lockdown 'invaluable'
Inspectors have been looking at how Sussex Police have coped during the pandemic
Inspectors have called a Sussex Police initiative to help domestic abuse victims during lockdown 'invaluable'.
Since being set up last March, the Local Resolution Team has carried out approximately 5,500 appointments, both via video calls and through victims speaking to officers in person at police station.
More than half of people reporting domestic abuse cases that are not immediately urgent have opted for a special video appointment service that can be used when conversations can’t take place face to face for any reason.
The scheme has been mentioned in a national report released by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Police, Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) on Tuesday (April 20th), looking into how police forces across the UK responded to the pandemic.
The report finds that police forces introduced new ways of working during the pandemic that could provide future benefits to policing, such as incorporating video conferencing technology in order to continue working with local safeguarding services.
Sussex Police's 40-strong Local Resolution Team of specially trained officers are dedicated to dealing with low risk reports of domestic abuse which are not immediately urgent. They discuss the incident with the caller, carry out an initial investigation and provide safeguarding advice, to leave the victim feeling safer than before and to explore available investigative opportunities to prosecute and prevent domestic abuse.
Since last August, 66% of appointments carried out by the service have been done so via video.
Part of the safeguarding advice includes referrals to independent local support agencies.
Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Rayland, Head of the force's Public Protection Command said:
"We have adapted to ensure we can support people at risk and find them a safe space.
"It’s really important people know that alongside this initiative we also continue to respond to domestic abuse as normal in emergency situations, arresting perpetrators and protecting vulnerable people.
"In fact, even when the first lockdown restrictions were relaxed during the summer, we found that the number of victims opting for the remote video meeting remained the same, equal to the numbers opting to visit a police station.
"No matter what is going on around us there is no excuse for domestic abuse it simply isn’t acceptable. The police priority hasn’t changed if you are victim of domestic abuse I would urge you to make contact with us so that we can help.
“We have also enhanced awareness raising during the lockdown period with social media signposting to support services and further information on our website, newspaper adverts and community engagement in essential locations to reach out to those not online."
In the first four weeks of March 2021 the force received 1,715 incident calls relating to domestic abuse, compared with 1,795 during the same period in 2020.
This data is consistent with that recorded in the same category during most of 2020, including lockdown periods, ie a lower number of such reports, suggesting that victims may be finding it more difficult, or are more reluctant, to report at present while less able to move at ease in the community.
Steve Rayland adds:
“Our message has remained the same throughout Covid restrictions and beyond – if you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. We can help break the cycle of abuse.
"We take all allegations of domestic abuse seriously and our staff and officers understand the complexities of domestic abuse.
"We want to help support victims to move forward with their lives. If you are ready to talk we are ready to listen."
If you're a victim of domestic abuse, or know someone who is, and there's an emergency that's ongoing or life is in danger, call police on 999.
If you can’t talk because the perpetrator is nearby, you can then press the numbers ‘55’ into your mobile phone which will alert the operator to your situation.
The Sussex Safe Space website also provides a valuable directory of help and support from all agencies.