On White Ribbon Day, people in Suffolk asked to help stop violence against women
Individuals and organisations across the county are being urged to pledge their support to end abuse and violence
People and organisations across Suffolk are using White Ribbon Day to raise awareness about the prevalence of male violence against women, as well as domestic abuse.
Suffolk Police have pledged their support to the White Ribbon Campaign. Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore says, "Since becoming PCC, I have spent time talking and listening to those who support people affected by domestic abuse and I have been utterly shocked by the extent of this problem.
"Domestic abuse ruins the lives of victims and has a devastating impact on their families, sadly children are often involved and can be severely traumatised with the effects stay with them for life. We need to do all we can to stop this."
Superintendent Kerry Cutler, leads the Suffolk Police response to domestic abuse.
"As part of today what White Ribbon asks us to do is to is make a pledge, to never to commit, condone, or be silent about violence against women.
"We're asking men, nationally and internationally, to make that pledge, and police are joining in", she says.
The issue of violence and abuse against women has been highlighted this year, following the murders of Sarah Everard, Sabina Nessa and countless others as well as a worrying increase in the rates of domestic abuse incidents reported during lockdown.
Superintendent Cutler says, "I think people have this image that domestic abuse as being maybe just a violent act, but it can be more than that. It can be about withholding money, it can be about coercive behaviour, it can be the constant put-downs.
"We live in a really rural county. So for many of the victims, their ability to reach out and get help is difficult because they become really isolated.
"So its about raising awareness and it's about signposting victims to where they can get help, but where they can get help confidentially as well because they are concerned about the ramifications if they do come forward."
She also understands that some people may be hesitant towards approaching the police for help so she adds that there various other avenues that people can reach out to for support. "We are really fortunate in Suffolk. that we have some wonderful groups who support victims who support families who are witnessing domestic abuse.
"You can go into the Suffolk Constabulary Police website, and the Suffolk County Council website, there's information about where you can get help."
Many websites also offer the victim an option to quickly close down screens or mask the pathways so that they can view these resources confidentially without fear. They can also approach pharmacies and libraries in their areas, which have staff trained to sign-post victims to the nearest available resources.
Superintendent Cutler also wants there to be an emphasis on highlighting perpetrators and urging them to change their coercive ways.
"There's a charity called Respect who run a helpline for perpetrators to call to change their behaviour. Within the Constabulary we set up a perpetrator unit to work with them around changing behaviour.
"If we don't actually step in, if we if we don't do something, it won't change and the individual needs to change.
"The message really today as well is to the perpetrator: There's no one else to blame other than yourself.
"And you are the one that needs to change. You are the one that needs to actually pick up the phone and seek help and stop what you're doing", she adds.