COUNCIL chiefs have encouraged Worcester residents to move from silence to action to combat domestic abuse this Christmas.
A national spotlight has been shone on the issue of violence against women this year following a number of high-profile killings, with the council vowing: “We cannot look the other way and pretend this is something which only happens in other places.”
Financial pressures, alcohol on tap, trying to create the ‘perfect’ Christmas and being cooped up together for long periods all contribute to a regular rise in domestic violence at this time of year.
The effects of lockdowns have also taken their toll. Nationally domestic violence incidents nearly doubled last year, from 200,000 reports in 2019 to 369,000 in 2020.
Coun James Stanley, chair of Worcester City Council’s Communities Committee, said: “When we hear abusive things being said about women or witness abusive behaviour towards them, we need to call it out and show the perpetrators that we have zero tolerance for their actions.
“Only by doing so can we start to make a real difference and see a reduction in the number of people experiencing domestic abuse in Worcester.”
Members of the city council’s Community Safety Team will be visiting schools and nightclubs over the next couple of weeks to raise awareness of the issue of domestic abuse and to signpost people to available support.
A total of 148 people were referred to the Worcester-based DAWN project, a free, confidential service for people who have experienced domestic abuse, between April 1 and September 30.
The DAWN project is a free, confidential service for anyone who lives in Wychavon, Malvern Hills and Worcester who is experiencing, or has experienced, domestic abuse.
It supports victims and survivors at all stages of abusive relationships, whether or not they are still living with a perpetrator.
Visit the website at www.worcestercommunitytrust.org.uk/wct-in-action/dawn or call 07713 200699 for more information.
TO mark this year’s White Ribbon Awareness campaign, a Worcester resident has shared her story of how she reached out for help
“I first met my former husband through friends in Worcester, which is why I thought he would be OK.
But he soon became very clingy and bossy and was extremely controlling. His abuse was more mental and emotional than physical. He would shout, slam things, call us names, give me the silent treatment, put us down and try and intimidate us.
After we got married, he insisted we and my two children moved away from the area where my family lived. He didn’t like me having friends and stopped me from
joining mother and baby groups after the birth of our child.
When my ex-husband came home from work, dinner had to be ready and the house had to be spotless. No-one was allowed to talk at the dinner table.
My two older children were expected to be out of the way in their bedrooms from 6pm onwards. He kicked my eldest son out of the house when he was 16, in his final year at school. He hated the close relationship I had with my daughter and tried to stop us from talking to each other.
After 12 years, I had finally reached breaking point and was no longer in denial. My New Year’s resolution was to speak out, ask for help and leave with my children.
I made contact with the DAWN project. I don’t think I’d be where I am today if it wasn’t for the help, support and understanding I’ve received from them.
Jo, my support worker, talked through my options and helped me prepare a plan to leave. I had a bag packed with mine and the children’s essentials. I gradually took items over to my parents’ house, without him finding out.
So on the day I finally did decide to leave with the children, I was well prepared. We moved temporarily into my mum’s house. The DAWN project then supported me through my divorce and helped us to find a beautiful new home.
Please ask for help; talk to anyone: family, friends, teachers, doctors, neighbours, and most definitely the people at the DAWN project.
They listen, advise and will make you feel valued. They have been my guardian angels.”
