Domestic violence on rise in Suffolk
Last updated: 11/27/2009 3:00:00 PM
SUFFOLK: Incidents of domestic violence in Suffolk are at five year high, worrying figures revealed today.
Since 2004, police have dealt with 32,997 cases in Suffolk - more than 7,000 of which involved men.
However, statistics obtained by The Evening Star show that the volume of domestic abuse offences has increased by more than a thousand in 12 months - from 5,492 in 2007/08 to 6,552 in 2008/09.
Today, during national Domestic Violence Awareness Week, victims were urged to not suffer in silence.
The annual awareness campaign began on Monday and ends on Sunday - with the aim of highlighting the importance of reporting abuse.
Earlier this week, women in Ipswich were given the opportunity to find out more when a stall was set up in the town's Tower Ramparts shopping centre.
Sally Glen, chief executive of Ipswich Women's Aid (IWA), said: “We believe it is really important for women and children experiencing domestic violence to be supported by a specialist service where consistency is provided.
“Because of low self esteem and feelings of shame and guilt, it takes a long time for a woman to build trust with her support worker and the organisation supporting her.
“IWA is the only provider of hostel accommodation in Ipswich which provides support, specifically for women and children fleeing domestic violence.”
IWA refuges accommodate women aged 16 and over - offering them a place to recover from the traumatic effects of violence.
In 2008/09, more than 210 women and children were housed by the IWA. The organisation received 591 helpline calls from the area.
Statistics reveal that in the UK, one in four women and one in six men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.
For more information on Women's Aid visit www.womensaid.org.uk or call the Ipswich branch on 01473 745111.
Have you been a victim of domestic abuse? Tell us your story - write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
Suffolk victims of domestic violence:
| Domestic Abuse Cases | Female Victims | Male Victims | Unknown Victims |
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2009 (so far)