Abuse campaign says enough is enough

8:11am Sunday 22nd April 2007

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Pembrokeshire is being encouraged to say "enough" to domestic violence in a new poster, press and radio campaign running in April.

The campaign forms part of an on-going Government effort to tackle domestic violence and follows the recent introduction of a domestic violence court in Haverfordwest.

Home secretary John Reid said Home Office figures show domestic violence has fallen 64% over the past ten years.

However, this kind of violence still claims an alarming number of victims, with about two women being killed every week by their partners or ex-partners.

Superintendent Euros Lewis of Dyfed-Powys Police said: "In 2006 in Pembrokeshire we attended 1,211 domestic incidents.

"This means police officers are attending more than three incidents every day.

"Domestic violence has more repeat victims than most other types of crime, 24% in Pembrokeshire, and on average a woman will be assaulted 34 times before reporting it to police."

Baroness Scotland, of the Home Office, said the campaign "looks to raise awareness of the help and support that is available and urges victims, and their friends and families, to come forward and report crimes".

The domestic violence court was set up in Haverfordwest last September.

The specialist facility fast-tracks domestic violence cases, and also has separate entrances and waiting areas so the victims cannot be intimidated by their attackers.

In these courts, the rate for successful prosecutions has risen to 71%, compared with 46% in December, 2003.

The Government is also funding independent domestic violence advisors to provide support and ensure the personal safety of victims.

The focus is not only on the victims, with an integrated domestic abuse programme aimed at heterosexual domestic violence offenders.

Caroline Morgan, chief officer for Dyfed-Powys Probation, said of the 27 week programme: "It aims to make offenders aware of the effect of their actions on the victims, and tackle their behaviour.

"We have had an extremely positive response."

Dyfed-Powys Probation is one of 33 areas in England and Wales to operate the programme.