GUERNSEY Police hope that the new domestic abuse strategy will encourage more victims to come forward. The force’s statistics show every week on average seven women and two men report domestic-related incidents. Four of these constitute assault. There were 722 cases recorded last year.
The Home Department had direct involvement in the drafting of the strategy. Detective Constable Ayesha Bourgaize, the force’s domestic abuse officer, said the strategy had a huge relevance for the island.
‘The strategy is important for a number of reasons, but primarily as it focuses on meeting the needs of all who experience abuse,’ she said. ‘It is about all partner agencies adopting a consistent approach. It is important that victims are given consistent support in services and that perpetrators are held accountable. Domestic abuse should not be tolerated in any form and victims should not be afraid to come forward for help or advice.’
DC Bourgaize hoped that the policy would go a long way towards changing the attitude to domestic abuse and that people would realise that it was a genuine problem.
‘Everyone has a right to life and anyone in an abusive relationship is having that right breached,’ she said.
‘I also hope that it will encourage more victims to come forward and report the abuse with the knowledge that they will be supported.’
The police have been the lead agency in the implementation of the multi-agency risk assessment conferences, or Maracs.
These are planned to start in January with Detective Inspector Ashley Nicholas, head of CID and the family protection unit, being appointed as the chairman.
The aim of Maracs are to increase the safety, health and well-being of the victim and children.
Local agencies will meet to discuss high-risk victims. Information about the dangers faced by them, what is needed to ensure their safety and the resources available are discussed and used to
create a risk management plan.
It combines up-to-date risk information with a timely assessment of a victim’s needs.
It links those directly to the provision of appropriate services for all those involved in a domestic violence or abuse case, whether they are a victim, children, or perpetrator.
‘The initial evaluation of Maracs in the United Kingdom shows that more than 40% of victims suffered no further abuse at the one-year follow-up stage,’ said DI Nicholas. ‘The early outcomes for more recently established Maracs show a 50% reduction in repeat incidents.’
Article posted on 29th September, 2008 - 2.29pm
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