25th November – 10th December 2010
South Wales Police are supporting the Department of Health Campaign being run from Thursday 25th November to Friday 10th December 2010, which is ‘Ending violence against women and children’.
The start date coincides with the International Violence against Women Day, which has run for the last 20 years.
The Government is committed to prevent violence against women and children happening or recurring, to protect and support its victims; and to bring offenders to justice.
Violence against women and children can take many forms such as:
• Domestic abuse
• Rape and sexual violence
• Sexual harassment
• Female genital mutilation (FGM)
• Forced marriage
• Crimes in the name of honour
• Human trafficking
• Sexual exploitation
• Child sexual abuse
People may be victims of more than one of the above as they don’t always take place in isolation. Furthermore, the abuse can be current or may have happened previously.
You do not have to tolerate any form of violence or abuse nor suffer in silence. You are not alone; there are a number of agencies that can provide you with help and support.
Do not blame yourself for the abuse.
Domestic Abuse is no discriminator of age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity or social standing.
South Wales Police will always attend reports of domestic abuse and we have a duty to take positive action and investigate the matter thoroughly. There is specialist Domestic Abuse Units to deal with the more serious incidents. In addition, we work together with our partners to support victims and target perpetrators.
Some facts about Domestic Abuse:
- 1 in 4 women have been affected by Domestic Abuse.
- Around two women are killed every week by a current or former male partner.
- One incident of domestic abuse is reported to Police every two minutes.
- On average, domestic violence accounts for 14% of all violent crime. However this can be higher in certain local authority areas.
- 68% of domestic abuse incidents results in physical injury. It is also a major risk factor for psychiatric disorders, chronic physical conditions and substance abuse.
- Domestic abuse often starts or increases during pregnancy.
- 1 in 9 women using health services have been hurt by someone they know or live with.
- Women experiencing domestic abuse are up to fifteen times more likely to misuse alcohol.
Some facts about Child Sexual Abuse:
16% of young people have experienced sexual abuse during childhood.
31% of disabled young people experienced abuse during childhood, almost four times the rate of abuse experience by other children.
72% of young people who were abused during childhood, did not tell anyone about the abuse at the time.
For children who experience sexual violence or abuse in the family, the most common perpetrator is a brother or stepbrother.
Girls associated with gangs have described being expected to engage in sex with all of the gang in exchange for protection from a rival gang. Rape can also be used as a means of retaliation or punishment. Rape has a low detection rate, particularly because girls are very reluctant to identify their attackers.
For unlimited help and advice, call the Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 80 10 800 now.