Domestic Violence - Help is Available

At a recent meeting of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Conservative Councillors congratulated officers on the work they had done to improve provision for people suffering from attacks in their own home.

 

The initiative to tackle domestic violence was one of the first policies looked at almost three years ago by the Council’s Reduced Crime Review and Scrutiny Committee.

 

The policy now in place, creates a framework for work to deliver real respite and protection to victims of this type of crime.

 

Conservative Joint Chairman for Reduced Crime, Cllr Symon Fraser commented: “ The domestic violence initiative is led by Liz Turnbull of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Social Services Directorate. Working with groups from Goole, Bridlington, Beverley and Withernsea, Liz has created a service for victims of a crime which people do not like to talk about, but a crime which can tear families apart.”

 

The crimes are predominantly committed against women by men although the abuse is not exclusive to women. The violence is not limited to any one type of person and one of the most startling facts to emerge from the case load of the Domestic Violence support workers is that all types of families have needed help.

 

Cllr Jonathan Owen added: “Two years ago there was nothing in place to help victims, now we have a response to a cry for help. Our aim is always to try to keep a family together and to try to maintain a normal family routine but if we have to we can now offer refuge and a safe place to stay.”

 

Cllr Felicity Temple continued, “People who need assistance can now be helped by the local support worker who can offer guidance and a support network.  The issue is now efficiently dealt in the locality by the local support worker, the service is a real success story and Liz Turnbull and her team are to congratulated on all they have achieved.”

 

If you are suffering from threat of, or actual domestic violence your contact number for help is 01482 396161 (Bridlington Domestic Violence Project)

 

6 January 2003