PRESS RELEASE – for immediate release
DATE: June 2014
Look again. It’s all under control.
Campaign raises awareness of the signs of domestic abuse in light of recent domestic homicide reviews in Devon
LOOK AGAIN. IT’S ALL UNDER CONTROL.Awareness raising event with Dr. Virginia Pearson, bestselling author Amanda Prowse, Director of Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse Frank Mullane and DCI John Trott, D&C Police.
MEDIA FACILITY – 12:30 Wednesday 25nd June 2014
at The Estuary Room, Darts Farm,
Topsham, Exeter, Devon, EX3 0QH
If you’re reading this at work right now, please take a moment to consider the men and women around you. Have you noticed anything unusual about their behaviour recently?
Did you know that, on average, a quarter of your female colleagues, and one in six of your male workmates, will at some point in their lives be affected by domestic abuse? Would you know how to recognise the danger signs, and what you can do to help?
In fact, in Devon in the last 3 years, four people have died as a result of domestic abuse. Those cases prompted separate reviews, which have led the Safer Devon Partnership to launch an initiative to raise awareness of domestic abuse throughout the county, with the theme ‘Look again. It’s all under control.’
Dr Virginia Pearson, Director of Public Health in Devon and the chair of the Domestic Homicide Review Panel, said: “The case reviews highlighted the fact that, often, victims of domestic abuse live in isolated and rural communities. They find it hard to discuss what’s happening to them with those who live nearest to them.
“That’s why we decided to reach out to people at work, where victims of domestic abuse may feel less threatened, to raise awareness of the issue. So we’re urging employers, human resources managers, line managers and work colleagues to make themselves aware of the signs of domestic abuse, and of ways they can help those affected by it.”
It is also believed that victims in the cases reviewed may not have perceived themselves as living within abusive relationships, making it even more important for people around potential victims to feel confident in spotting the signs and encouraging them to seek help.
The damage caused by domestic abuse stretches way beyond the home, it can affect the victim’s community and workplace too.
In Devon, it has been estimated that the cost of domestic abuse to society is £60 million. Nationally, in terms of lost economic output, production, absenteeism, legal, medical and police costs, the price of domestic violence and abuse is £2.7 billion.
Nicola Channon, manager of Safer Devon, which is led by Devon County Council, said: “It is so important that we take these domestic homicide review cases and learn from them, so that we can try to prevent similar cases in the future.
“Domestic abuse is so prominent in our society and it isn’t just physical abuse. Domestic abuse includes emotional, financial and sexual abuse. One clear factor in all of the review cases was coercive control. We need to help people understand what a healthy relationship should be like and how to find the right support to help them find a happier and safer place.”
Among the possible signs that someone may be suffering domestic abuse are:
· Increased absenteeism: Studies have shown that more than half of people suffering domestic abuse arrive late for work, leave early or are absent altogether;
· Decreased performance: Fully 98 per cent of domestic abuse survivors said the abuse affected their ability to perform their work duties;
· Unannounced visits from partners: Three-quarters of domestic abuse victims are targeted at work, with harassing phone calls, unannounced visits or even physical assaults in the workplace.
Furthermore, colleagues may be covering up for those who are being abused, in order to ‘protect’ them from unwanted calls or visits, while at the same time other colleagues may feel resentful at having to fill in for absent or underperforming victims.
An awareness-raising event to highlight the work of the ‘Look Again. It’s All Under Control’ campaign is being held at Darts Farm, on Wednesday, June 25.
Among the speakers will be:
Best-selling author, Amanda Prowse. Amanda’s novel ‘What Have I Done?’ was voted an Amazon Kindle ‘Best Book of 2013’. The storyline of the novel had women worldwide identifying with the theme of domestic abuse in middle-class households. Amanda will be discussing her research with victims of domestic abuse and will read extracts of the statements relayed to her by volunteers who came forward to tell their stories.
Frank Mullane, Director of Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA). AAFDA is a charity specialising in helping families after domestic homicide. Frank will discuss his work within the sector and as a member of the national panel that quality assures all Domestic Homicide Reviews. Frank’s many years of study in this area followed the murders of his sister Julia and nephew William Pemberton by Alan Pemberton in 2003, following which the family campaigned for five years to uncover all the facts and still continue to meet the agencies involved to encourage progress and share learning. The Pemberton case is considered “...a landmark achievement in the field of domestic violence fatality or homicide review.”
DCI John Trott, Devon and Cornwall Police. DCI Trott will reveal the true extent of domestic abuse in Devon and Cornwall. He is responsible for the prevention and investigation of child abuse, domestic abuse and vulnerable adult abuse in Cornwall and will discuss his personal experience of dealing with domestic abuse cases, giving advice on how best to deal with these often very difficult situations.
Dr Virginia Pearson will also be speaking at the event, which is being held in the Estuary Room at Darts Farm near Topsham.
As part of the campaign, posters will be appearing in workplaces around the county, explaining the signs of domestic abuse and what can be done to help those affected, and discrete ‘Z-Cards’ are being distributed, giving practical advice and information for those affected.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
PROGRAMME FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE AWARENESS RAISING MEDIA FACILITY 2014
Media interviews will be available immediately before the public conference at The Estuary Room, Darts Farm, Topsham, Exeter, EX3 0QH. Please arrive no later than 12:30.
- Dr. Virginia Pearson – Director of Public Health in Devon
- Amanda Prowse – Bestselling author of ‘What Have I done?’
- Frank Mullane – Director of Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse
- DCI John Trott – Devon and Cornwall Police Public Protection Unit
Domestic Homicide Cases: The partnership will not be releasing details of the domestic homicide cases in Devon. This is an important decision that has been made in order to protect the families and friends of the victims who are still in the process of trying to rebuild their lives after the tragedies they have experienced. We ask that the press respect the privacy of these people and allow them to continue to heal without the cases being brought to light in the press once again.
For further information and to confirm attendance at the media facility please contact:
· Beth May at KOR Communications on 01392 466733. Email: (Please note KOR Communications are working on behalf of The Safer Devon Partnership.)
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Help and support
· Devon Domestic Abuse Services Support (Splitz) - 0345 155 1074
· 24-hour National Domestic Violence Free phone Helpline - 0808 2000 247
· Information, advice and helpline numbers are available on the Devon County Council website http://new.devon.gov.uk/dsva/
· Devon and Cornwall Police offer help, support and advice 24 hours a day:
-In an emergency call 999
-For non-emergencies call 101, email: or visit www.devon-cornwall.police.uk