Domestic violence under the spotlight
Staffordshire County Council is using the week of Valentine's Day to launch a campaign to raise awareness of domestic violence.
Staffordshire County Council is using the week of Valentine's Day to launch a campaign to raise awareness of domestic violence.
The county's domestic violence co-ordinators are reminding people that for victims of domestic violence this can be an even crueller time of year.
While many people will be celebrating the most romantic time of year, the council is running an advertisement campaign
A van bearing an ad, urging victims to call the police on 08453 302010 to report incidents, is touring the county.
During 2006-2007 Staffordshire police statistics showed that 13,234 incidents of domestic violence – not including the figures for Stoke-on-Trent – were reported to officers. The van visited Burton and Uttoxeter town centres on Monday and yesterday was in Cannock and Rugeley.
Today it was touring the Staffordshire Moorlands and on Valentine's Day itself will be in Newcaste-under-Lyme.
On Friday it will be in Stafford visiting the Asda car park, town centre, Rising Brook, Highfields and Silkmore, as well as Stone town centre and Aston Lodge.
On Monday it moves on to Lichfield, Burntwood, Boney Hay and Chasetown. On February 19 it will be in the Tamworth area and during February 20 it will be in Wombourne, Penkridge, Great Wyrley, Featherstone and Codsall. A domestic violence steering group has been set up help tackle the problem. This is being chaired by cabinet member for safer and stronger communities Councillor Carol Dean.
It will be made up of all partners including representatives from the authority, the community safety team, Staffordshire police, the health service, Staffordshire Women's Aid, other specialist organisations providing services to victims of domestic violence and Connexions.
The aim is to highlight the issue of domestic violence, help influence what can be done to tackle it, identify any gaps or problems relating to services for victims of domestic violence and provide support to service providers. Domestic violence is seen as a serious issue and the authorities are doing all they can to stamp out the problem. Also they are working to ensure victims of such violence are getting all the support they can.
Councillor Dean said: "Domestic violence can impact on all areas of life including mental health, housing, education, work and family life, especially children which is why we have to do all we can to offer help and support. That's why we're not only backing this campaign to raise awareness but have also set up the steering group to influence how domestic violence is tackled in Staffordshire," added Councillor Dean.
*Since 2006 Staffordshire County Council has contributed £120,000 per year towards the cost of the eight domestic violence co-ordinators based across Staffordshire.
