Sussex Police and partners increase domestic abuse safeguarding over Christmas
Figures show incidents rise over the festive period
As the festive season approaches, Sussex Police and its partners are ramping up safeguarding measures at a time when victims of domestic abuse are often at their most vulnerable.
Statistics show domestic violence increases over the Christmas period, which makes extra engagement with high risk victims and perpetrators even more important.
Over the next few weeks, officers and specialist support workers will be carrying out discreet safeguarding visits to people known to be at high risk of domestic abuse.
The highest harm perpetrators are also managed through Sussex Police’s Complex Domestic Abuse and Stalking Unit (CDASU), with a view to limiting their ability to offend and work with partners to try to change their behaviour.
Officers from the CDASU will be engaging with these perpetrators over the festive period.
The operation follows on from Sussex Police’s support of the UN’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which focuses on preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls.
Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Lewis said: “Christmas should be a time of joy and celebration, but sadly for some people it can be a period of violence and abuse.
“Domestic abuse devastates lives every day of the year and we and our partners are committed to protecting victims no matter the occasion.
“But for those people who need some extra support or protection over the Christmas period, our message is clear – we are here for you.
“If you are in an abusive or controlling relationship, please know that you are not alone and the help is out there.”
Report to us via 101, online or by calling 999 in an emergency. If you report online, we can show you how to delete it from your web history so it can’t be traced.
If you call 999 and are unable to speak, press 55 and you will be put through to the police automatically.
Sussex Police employs specialist investigative teams for domestic abuse cases and dedicated teams of domestic abuse investigators who respond to victims via discreet and efficient video call interviews.
The force also leads a multi-agency domestic abuse perpetrator project which focuses on the highest harm, most active dangerous perpetrators to reduce harm and repeat victimisation and offending.
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “Sadly, domestic abuse doesn’t stop just because it’s the season of goodwill. For many victims and their families it can be an extremely isolating and frightening time of year.
“The discreet safeguarding visits undertaken by Sussex Police at this time, as well as the constructive engagement with perpetrators, have full support from my office and are just some of the ways in which Sussex Police tackles violence against women and girls and supports those who are vulnerable.
“If you or someone you know face controlling, coercive, threatening or violent behaviour, vital local support services offering confidential guidance and advice can be found through my Safe Space Sussex website.”