Devon County Council

From Mike Bomford, Exeter 382173, November 18, 2008

Christmas isn't a season of goodwill for every household in Devon. For nearly 100 homes last year it featured assault and abuse, as domestic violence levels increased during their annual seasonal peak.

Campaigners are hoping this year to get the message across to survivors that there is help available, particularly as the recession piles the financial pressure on households already under strain.

Last year over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day there were 82 reported incidents of domestic violence in Devon. On New Years Eve and New Years Day there were 75 reports.

This compares to an average of 46 incidents over three non festive days in December and 33 incidents over two days in January.

National Domestic Violence Week 2008 runs from Monday 24 to Friday 28 November and will feature a march through Exeter city centre to highlight the problem in the run up to Christmas.

Other events are also taking place across Devon to raise awareness about the increase in domestic violence and abuse over Christmas and New Year including a music event in Barnstaple and a noisy march in Ilfracombe. (see event list at end of press release)

Devon's domestic violence partnership, against domestic violence and abuse (adva), which is led by Devon County Council, is organising the awareness week.

Rachel Martin from adva said: "The stress of Christmas puts pressure on most families - but in those homes where violence and abuse occur during the year the problem worsens during the festive season.

"Nationally, calls to the Freephone 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline increase by an average of 27% in the aftermath of Christmas throughout January. We anticipate that this year it will be considerably greater.

"Of course we are also only talking about incidents that are reported - the tip of the iceberg. In 2007/8 there were 8925 incidents reported to the police, but in reality there are something like 33,000 incidents occurring in Devon each year."

Devon County Councillor Jill Owen is Chair of the adva partnership. She said: "With an incident of domestic violence taking place in the UK every six to twenty seconds and the police receiving a call every minute, many families could endure extreme pain and suffering over the festive season.

"There is no doubt about the added pressure of the recession and financial strain - it will take its toll. We hope that our campaign in the run up to Christmas will encourage victims to seek help before it is too late."

Nigel Boulton, Superintendent Crime and Operations, Devon said, "Although the reporting of domestic violence and abuse is increasing year on year, there are still many victims within families, including children, who suffer in silence. The festive season brings many pressures on families and with it, unfortunately, an increase in domestic abuse.

"Through the co-ordinated work of adva we have improved our working links with many organisations, both statutory and within the voluntary sector, in order to support survivors of domestic violence and abuse, not only at Christmas but throughout the year.

"The National Domestic Violence week provides a good opportunity to demonstrate the joint working that exists in support of those survivors of domestic abuse."

The noisy march through Exeter City Centre will take place on Monday November 24. It will start from St Sidwell's Church in Sidwell Street to Bedford Square. Supporters will carry instruments and hand out Women's Aid Christmas cards.

Photo opportunity:

Date: Monday November 24th

Time: 12:00 March starts at St Sidwell's Church and finishes at Bedford Square where there will be a Christmas table as a backdrop for photos and interviews.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

For further information or interviews please contact Clare Gilbert at KOR Communications on 01392 466733.

against domestic violence and abuse (adva) is the adopted name and image for the Devon Domestic Violence Partnership. This was set up in November 2002 to bring together the statutory and voluntary agencies within the county to tackle the problem of domestic violence. These agencies include Devon County Council, Patient and Practitioner Agency, Devon Primary Care Trust, CAFCASS, Crown Prosecution Service, HM Courts Service, Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon and Cornwall Probation Service, Devon Partnership Trust, Children's Trust, Westcountry Ambulance Trust, Devon and Somerset Fire Rescue Service, Victim Support, Witness Care Service, Women's Aid, Local Safeguarding Children's Board, District Housing, Devon Homelessness Group, Supporting People, Royal Devon and Exeter Foundation Trust. www.adva.org.uk

Contact National 24 hour helpline on 0808 2000 247

Other events happening across the region as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Week:

	AWARENESS WEEK 2008
AM	Date	PM
	Friday 21st November	DV week kicks off with a Gala night on 21st Nov at the Cedars ,Barnstaple. Silver service 3 course meal with live music, disco and auction. Prizes to be auctioned include a night at a spa hotel, a champagne balloon trip, tickets to Graham Norton show with backstage passes. Contact for more information Alison Allen 01271 341527
12.00 Exeter - Noisy March -St Sidwells Finish in Bedford Square. Marquee etc. Contact Clare Gilbert at KOR Communications 01392 466733	Monday 24th November	12.30 Family centre, Ilfracombe, Refreshments followed by Noisy March to the Quay where at 2.30 there will be a petal launch.   Contact for more information Alison Allen 01271 341527 19.30 Pub quiz in Cork and Bottle pub, Barnstaple. Contact for more information Alison Allen 01271 341527. 8.00 p.m. MADA (Musicians Against Domestic Violence) presence at Billy Bragg gig Great Hall Exeter University. Contact for more information Andy Stapley 0777 9999 562
10.00 Honiton Police Station Noisy March to Mackarness Hall where there will be a formal launch at 10.30 including speech from Cllr Vernon Whitlock. Contact for more information Gerry Moore 01395 273802	Tuesday 25th November	5.30 - 8.00 pm CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel Development) event in Exeter.  Aimed at HR professionals and employers about their responsibility towards employees experiencing domestic abuse. Booking essential.  Contact for more information Anne Blackburn 01395 519855
LAUNCH OF THE DEVON WIDE SANCTUARY SCHEME The Devon Sanctuary Scheme aims to help victims of domestic violence and abuse to feel safe and secure where they choose to remain in their own homes, by improving the security with professionally installed security measures. From 12 noon - 2.00 pm Sandy Park Conference Centre, Exeter Contact Lisa Jennings 07827 821788	Wednesday 26th November	1.45 Noisy March by ND College students to Barnstaple square.  2pm Live music with Jenna Witts and Jim Jones. Hundreds of local school children sing Silent Night. Contact Jennie Tomlinson or Tina Ley on 01271 342777
	Thursday 27th November	19.30 Bingo -British legion, Barnstaple. Contact for more information Alison Allen 01271 341527
DV Stand at the Mayors table in Barnstaple Pannier  market Contact for more information Alison Allen 01271 341527	Friday 28th November	7pm Evening Music event in The Inn on the Square, Barnstaple. Lots of live music with local young acts including Average Blues band, Purple Olive, The Sonix and DJ Seb. Contact Jennie Tomlinson or Tina Ley on 01271 342777