INNOCENT men face a night in the cells as police crack down on domestic violence. There were more than 130 arrests for domestic violence last year, but one campaigner said that that was not enough.

‘One in four relationships are abusive. The number of prosecutions last year was less than that number,’ said Pauline Allen, chairwoman of Options.

‘I wish more victims could feel strong enough to come out of the darkness.’

Domestic violence officer Geoff Chapman said that the police’s robust approach was necessary.

‘It is absolutely right that occasionally an innocent person is locked in a cell for a night when the alternative is that we could leave every suspected offender in the home with the possibility of an assault,’ said Sgt Chapman.

‘If there are reasonable grounds to suspect an assault has taken place, then we will arrest.

‘It is unfair to expect victims to stand up against a person. If we do not arrest – and leave them together – then we are effectively putting them at more risk.’

There were 411 reported incidents of domestic violence last year, with an arrest rate of 32%. The number of repeat incidents, within 12 months, stood at 162.

In addition, the family protection unit had 116 referrals based on suspected child abuse.

‘Options is encouraged at the positive policing strategy,’ said Advocate Allen.

‘For many years, a call to attend a disturbance at a house which was found to be an incident between a man and his wife was seen as just a domestic and the authorities were unwilling to interfere.

‘All that this sort of attitude served to do was to reinforce to the woman victim that men all stuck together and no one would help her.’

Sgt Chapman said the police would always prosecute if possible.

‘Even if there is no complaint from the victim, or their statement is withdrawn, we will proceed if we have the evidence,’ he said.

Advocate Allen had mixed feelings about the number of cases being withdrawn.

‘It shows clearly which relationships are abusive. It also shows that the victim is not yet ready or able to leave the relationship.’

Public Assistance Authority president Pat Robilliard, whose committee runs St Julian’s House, said: ‘There is a similar problem with domestic violence against males. It is a much smaller problem, but it does happen.’

Deputy Robilliard was concerned that men were not coming forward and, even if they did, there was no local refuge for them.

‘St Julian’s is the only place for men to come to try and calm the situation down. Last year, there were some men who came because of violence at home.’

Advocate Allen believes that still more could be done.

‘None of us are doing enough. We at Options are grateful for the invaluable role that the police are playing in raising the profile of the existence of domestic abuse in Guernsey and making the message loud and clear that it will not be tolerated.

‘Zero tolerance of domestic abuse has to be the goal of all civilised societies.’