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.