'Relentless' campaign to tackle domestic violence

A CAMPAIGN was launched this morning by Derbyshire police in a bid to raise awareness of domestic abuse.

As part of Operation Relentless, the launch kicked off a week of activities, with the aim of encouraging people to report incidents of abuse.

A major part of the campaign will be posters, which will be displayed across the county and feature the picture of a coffin with a wreath on top and the message “Hit 52 times, sent flowers only once”.

During Operation Relentless, aimed at tackling alcohol-related crime and domestic abuse, the police will also be looking at ways of improving how they deal with domestic abuse, with a focus on victim care.

Assistant Chief Constable Peter Goodman said: “There are around 4,000 domestic abuse crimes recorded each year in Derbyshire but we suspect that only tells half the story.

“We know from the work we do with victims, other agencies and partners that domestic abuse has more repeat victims than any other crime and on average, there will be 35 incidents before a victim calls the police.

“This week is part of on-going work to highlight a crime that can often remain hidden and out of sight. We hope the message will be received loud and clear that perpetrators of domestic abuse are not above the law.”

At the launch at Derbyshire police headquarters in Ripley, victims of domestic violence spoke of their experiences in a bid to encourage others to report similar incidents.

One 44-year-old woman, who did not want to be named, said that leaving her abusive husband had been one of the hardest things she had ever done.

She said: “It started gradually. He began by calling me fat, then once we moved in together he began hitting me.

“It was mostly at weekends when he had been out watching the football. It was worse when his team won. He would then drink more and become more violent.”

The woman eventually broke free from her husband and was referred to the Amber Valley and Erewash Support For Domestic Abuse group.

She said: “I stood outside for half an hour before I got the courage to walk through the door. Once I went in, I just burst into tears. It was such a relief to talk to other women who had been through the same thing.”

In Derby, police officers are piloting the use of a dedicated response car for domestic abuse at weekends, which is staffed by specially-trained officers.

PC Cathy Kelly and PC Andy Hulland have been taking part in the scheme.

They visit victims, offer support and do their best to find the perpetrators and take them to court.