Causeway Coast and Glens Policing and Community Safety Partnership supports ‘Domestic Abuse is Wrong’ campaign

The campaign, titled ‘Domestic Abuse is Wrong, pick up the phone and make it stop’, is designed to encourage the reporting of incidents and make victims aware that they can take steps to stop it.

Causeway Coast and Glens PCSP, alongside the Local Policing Teams, are supporting this campaign through local initiatives across the district. Councillor James McCorkell, PCSP Chair said: “Sadly, incidents of domestic abuse can increase over the Christmas period and we want to get the message out there to victims that there is help available.

“Very often people who are being abused feel isolated, very vulnerable and frightened and don’t know where to turn. This campaign is encouraging all victims regardless of age, race, gender or sexuality to come forward and report the matter to the police.”

Councillor McCorkell continued, “We know that police officers deal with a domestic abuse incident every 19 minutes across Northern Ireland which is a shocking statistic.

“While it is encouraging that reporting of this crime has risen, we need to continue to work with police and other partner agencies and reach out to those who still feel unable to take the first steps to get out of what must be a terrifying situation.”

Fully supporting the campaign Superintendent John Magill, District Commander for the area said: “Domestic abuse is a frightening crime and victims come from every walk in life and can be any age or gender.

“No one should have to endure abuse and I want to encourage all victims to come forward and report the matter to the police on the non-emergency number 101 or call 999 in an emergency.”

Superintendent Magill continued, “Very often victims are isolated and I would ask neighbours, family and friends of victims to report any incidents to police on 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 088 555 111.

“A 24 hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Helpline is also available to anyone who has concerns about domestic or sexual violence, now or in the past. It is open to all women and men affected by domestic and sexual violence on 0808 802 1414.”

The Causeway Coast and Glens Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) and the Police Service Northern Ireland, strongly encourage anyone suffering from domestic abuse to contact their local police on the non-emergency 101 or in an emergency always call 999.

For further information on this partnership and project, please contact the Causeway Coast and Glens Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) Manager on telephone number 028 777 60304.