Local PSNI committed to improving response to victims of domestic violence
Ryan Henderson, PSNI Area Commander in Ballymena and Larne, has recently committed to providing specialist training for local officers on responding to victims of domestic abuse. In the year 2009 – 2010, incidents across the area with a domestic abuse motivation increased by 11% from the previous year to 2,654. To put this in context, a recent report by Criminal Justice Inspection, which also makes recommendations on improving PSNI response, states that regionally PSNI respond to an incident of domestic violence on average every 21 minutes of every day.
The training will be provided by Onus, a Ballymena based social economy business which was established to shed all profit to the local Women’s Aid group.
Sergeant Una Jennings is one of the specialised Domestic Abuse Officers based locally. While acknowledging the existing skills of her team, Sgt Jennings is pleased that training to a higher investigative level will become available:
‘Further training like this will certainly never go amiss and would obviously be a welcome addition professionally’.
As an Officer specialising in dealing with incidents with a domestic abuse motivation, Sgt Jennings is well aware of the complexities involved:
‘A number of incidents could have taken place before we have even been informed. Research from the Northern Ireland Crime Survey would indicate that only 25% of victims inform PSNI of their ‘worst incident’ of domestic abuse, but we want to encourage any victim to come forward and be assured of a professional and supportive response’.
Colette Stewart, Business Manager of Onus, is pleased that PSNI are taking such a proactive stance on domestic abuse:
‘It is a particularly difficult experience for a victim of abuse when the perpetrator is a member of your own family. It is commendable that PSNI locally recognise the complexities in handling this type of crime, and that they are committed to continuously improving their response’.
Rosemary Magill, Area Manager of Women’s Aid is also delighted that PSNI have committed to training officers:
‘It is worth noting that it is not just those victims who approach the police who will benefit from this training. By using a social economy business that sheds profits to Women’s Aid, PSNI are also supporting those victims who for whatever reason, are not engaging with the police. It is our hope that this positive partnership approach between PSNI and organisations such as ourselves will continue to deliver improved services for victims of domestic abuse’.
Women who are experiencing domestic violence can access support by calling our free helpline on 0800 917 1414 or read about our services by visiting
www.womens-aid.org.uk
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