Victims to speak out about domestic abuse

Monday 24 November 2014

Three women who are all victims of domestic abuse are speaking out this week to highlight what the Police say has become a major problem in Jersey, accounting for around 16% of all the Island’s recorded crime.

Police attend over a thousand incidents a year and more than half of them involve children.

The three victims have been telling their own stories on camera in their own language and the police will be uploading them on their YouTube channel this week as part of a national campaign.

Chief Inspector Alison Fossey said: “Domestic Abuse is a major crime in Jersey and we as a community need to work together to ensure no one is suffering, unable to get help.

“This week is about getting into the communities, talking to people and letting them know who can help and how.

“Yesterday a number of church services and masses were spoken to about domestic abuse, either by our officers or by those leading the congregation and we are grateful for the message being spread so widely among the faith community.

“I would personally like to thank the three ladies for their bravery to speak out, it isn’t easy in a community this size but it emphasises to everyone that anyone could become a victim."

Crimestoppers hope friends, neighbours and family members will get in touch if they are worried that someone they know is being abused.

Jersey Crimestoppers’ Niall McClure said: “If you are a friend, neighbour or family member and believe someone close to you is a victim of domestic abuse you can also pass on information anonymously via Crimestoppers. Together we can tackle domestic abuse”.

The police have produced posters and pocket size booklets in English, Polish, Portuguese and Thai to show what help is available for victims. 

Two drop-in sessions are being held at St Thomas' Church Welcome Centre. The first is tomorrow between 10 am and 1 pm and the second is on Thursday between 4 pm and 7 pm.

The Force is also doing an online survey to find out how helpful they are being to victims and how they can improve what they are doing. It can be found via their Facebook page or via the website at www.jersey.police.uk