#SaferSummer #SaferCommuntities domestic abuse awareness campaign follows on from a recent roundtable I held with key domestic abuse services stakeholder including Donna Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner, service providers You Trust, Stop Domestic Abuse and Aurora New Dawn, Sovereign Housing Association, officers from Basingstoke Council and Hampshire Police. During the meeting we identified an alarming 25% fall in the number of domestic abuse cases being reported to the Police and that more than half of Basingstoke residents are unaware of where to seek help, despite £10million support for local services across the county.
There are a wide range of services available to Basingstoke residents available from expert organisations; and Hampshire Police are doing an important job in ensuring their officers are well trained too. But the evidence is clear there is more to do to raise awareness amongst residents about how to access help if they need it.
So...over the next six weeks I am partnering with local charity Stop DomesticAbuse, our Police & Crime Commissioner and Hampshire and Isle of Wight's Constabulary to raise awareness about Domestic Abuse and how to get helpp if you are worried about yourself or someone else this summer.
Domestic abuse is the biggest reported crime in Hampshire and disproportionately impacts women. It takes many forms, from physical and mental abuse to coercive control, emotional, sexual, and financial control too. New laws brought in by the Government means there is more recognition of Domestic Abuse and more support than ever before including a statutory requirement for local authorities to provide refuge support and local support services.
Domestic abuse has no place in our community and I want all Basingstoke residents to have a #SaferSummer
