Domestic abuse levels revealed

The PSNI this week launched the Domestic Abuse Christmas Campaign to encourage anyone who is a victim of abuse to report it.

The campaign, entitled ‘Domestic abuse is wrong, pick up the phone and make it stop’ is designed to encourage the reporting of incidents and make domestic abuse victims aware that they can take steps to stop it. It will run throughout December online and officers will also be distributing posters across Northern Ireland.

Speaking at the launch, Detective Chief Superintendent George Clarke, Head of the PSNI’s Public Protection Branch, said: “The sad reality is that at this time of year, the number of domestic incidents increase.

“On Christmas Day alone last year, there were 79 recorded incidents and on Boxing Day, there were 111.

“That is a total of 190 incidents over that two day period. In the period from 24 December to 28 December last year, there were a total of 515 recorded domestic incidents.

“These statistics are shocking, especially when you consider the fact that behind every statistic is a victim who has had to endure abuse and that those victims, both male and female, may have suffered abuse many times before calling the police.

“It is also important to remember that all year round, police officers respond to an incident of domestic abuse every 19 minutes.

“Between October 2014 and September 2015, there were 13,599 domestic abuse crimes reported to police, the highest level recorded since 2004/05.

“Over the same period, last year, there were 13,313 domestic abuse crimes reported to police.

“We also know that a large number of incidents aren’t reported to police at all. If you are a victim of abuse, please remember you are not alone and that there are people who can help you.

“Please come forward and report the matter to police.

A 24-hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Helpline is available on 0808 802 1414.