Domestic abuse - does someone you love need help?
Date published: 31 July 2018
A GMP campaign is encouraging victims, friends, family and colleagues to look beyond the lens, filters and emojis to find out if the person they love and care for needs help.
Greater Manchester Police is launching a summer campaign to support victims of domestic abuse and highlight an increase in incidents during the warmer weather.
Across the Force 11,400 victims of domestic abuse came forward between July and August last year compared to 11,069 the previous year.
The data highlights how the warmer weather, coupled with longer evenings, can increase tensions which in turn create a risk of domestic abuse.
This latest campaign encourages victims, friends, family and colleagues to look beyond the lens, filters and emojis to find out if the person they love and care for needs help.
Domestic abuse includes coercive and controlling behaviour, financial and emotional abuse as well as violence. Those suffering from the crime may not even realise that they are victim.
Detective Superintendent Denise Worth, from Greater Manchester Police, said: “We want this campaign to encourage victims, friends and family to report domestic abuse and put an end to it. We are here to help and don’t want victims to suffer in silence.
“Domestic abuse has potentially devastating consequences and it’s important people are aware of how to spot the signs.
“Trust your instincts, if something doesn’t feel right it might not be.
"If you can tell that they are being controlled, are in a violent relationship or are being stopped from meeting friends and family report it.
“We know from our own information that one in three women will be a victim of abuse in their lifetime, as will one in six men.
"This is a sad statistic which highlights the scale of the problem across Greater Manchester.
"There are also a number of support services available which you can contact for advice and assistance and all reports are taken seriously.
“Always dial 999 where there is a threat to someone’s life or a crime in progress. By encouraging reporting we can reduce the number of incidents of domestic abuse and save lives.”
Joanne Simpson, Director of Independent Choices said: “People experiencing domestic abuse often have to mask what is happening to them and project an image that everything is ok to friends, family and colleagues.
"We encourage everyone to look at what’s going on behind the mask and to reassure their friends and loved ones that you will stand by them and support them with whatever they are going through.
“There is help out there.
"If anyone is concerned about domestic abuse they can ring our helpline confidentially and find out what their options are.”
Anyone who feels that they are being abused by a partner, ex-partner or a family member can approach their GP or nurse for help. Greater Manchester Domestic Abuse Helpline is also available to offer support for victims on 0161 636 7525.
Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.
