A BAILIWICK domestic abuse strategy is being co-ordinated on the back of a new study. Statistics collated from the Option’s survey, which showed that at least one in three women of 488 who filled out a questionnaire in May was a victim of domestic abuse, will be circulated around the relevant parties. It is hoped that it will provide the evidence to formulate policy and strategy to meet the specific needs of Guernsey women.

‘We are hoping that each agency will get copies of the results and will look at the implications for themselves,’ said Options research and development officer Diana Brehaut.

‘We can’t implement anything without getting everybody on board. Hopefully they will give feedback and we can have an agreed strategy.’

She said that in the past, people had gone from agency to agency trying to find someone who could help with their situation. The idea was to better co-ordinate things in future and also to continue to consult survivors of abuse for their recommendations.

Among the agencies involved in the survey were various doctors’ surgeries, infant clinics, housing, probation and other voluntary agencies such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, Drug Concern, Relate and Victim Support. Health staff were noted as key players in identifying violence and also for providing support, treatment and advice.

But the most common source of help, according to the questionnaires, was from friends, neighbours and relatives.

‘We hope to build on the information that we now have and we hope that the survey will be used again and again,’ said Options chairman Pauline Allen.

‘The health service has been extremely helpful and agreed to back the survey. Hopefully this will show the hidden figures and will show the service where they can direct their finance, which would otherwise be unknown.’

She said that the results highlighted that the level of incidence was at least equivalent to the UK, which meant that about £135,000 was being spent locally on victims of domestic abuse.

A total of 14.3% of the women who took part in the survey said that they had suffered domestic abuse for more than 10 years. In the majority of cases, the abuse was from a husband with whom they were living. One victim said she had lived at home with an abusive male family member where there was no escape. She was abused more than 20 times over more than 10 years.

Another woman said that she hoped there would be new help provided so that others would not suffer in the same way and see what she saw.

‘Some of the comments we have had have been very moving,’ said Mrs Allen.

‘Stopping others suffering is what Options is all about.’

She said that the charity would continue to consult survivors, whose experiences were an integral part of future strategy.

‘Their confidence has grown and many women now want to go out and help others. They are the ones who really know what it is all about and will be of great assistance to agencies and health services.’