Seek help this Christmas says Warwickshire Against Domestic Abuse

Warwickshire Against Domestic Abuse is urging anyone affected by domestic abuse this Christmas to come forward and seek help...

Abuse can take many forms – physical, emotional, financial or sexual – and most victims will suffer many times over several years before taking the first step and talking to someone they trust.

DI Roy Wheelwright of Warwickshire Police said “We are urging people to contact us sooner rather than later. People affected by domestic abuse may not recognise the signs until their partner’s behaviour has progressed to something more serious and we are urging people to find out more about domestic abuse so they recognise the signs earlier.

Domestic abuse can start with small changes in behaviour. It is all about control and if your partner restricts your access to money, or stops you meeting up with your friends, then this could be domestic abuse. This could affect your behaviour, making you quieter than normal, more introverted and less confident. Please look after your friends and relatives too and be aware of any signs that their partner may be abusing them.

There are a number of ways people can find out more about domestic abuse.

Sue Ingram, Domestic Abuse Manager at Warwickshire County Council explained “If you’d like to talk to someone about your situation and the options available to you then please do look at the www.talk2someone.org.uk website as there’s so much information on it including the contact details of all the support agencies in Warwickshire. You can also call our helpline on 0800 408 1552 and please remember in an emergency always dial 999.”

The secure www.talk2someone.org.uk website has secrecy controls and brings together a range of support information for anyone affected by domestic abuse. This includes information for young people, friends and relatives and perpetrators too to help them change their behaviour.

A slimmed down ‘mobile’ version of the website, suitable for mobile phone users was also launched in November 2010. This makes it much easier for anyone affected by domestic abuse to seek this information at a time and place convenient for them where they will not be disturbed.

Please note that the Warwickshire Against Domestic Abuse 0800 408 1552 helpline is open as normal on most days over the Christmas period except Wednesday 28th Dec when it is open from 08:00 to 19:00 and it is closed on Monday 26th Dec, Tuesday 27th Dec and Monday 2 January.

News article courtesy of Warwickshire County Council.