After a terrifying spike in domestic abuse reports during lockdown, we've launched a new campaign encouraging people in Surrey to be aware of the signs to spot and to speak up about their suspicions 100% anonymously.  
During the national lockdown, Crimestoppers saw a 49% increase in domestic abuse reports, and comparing the past 5 months (April to August 2020) with the same period last year, we have seen a staggering 70% increase in reports about domestic abuse. The UN has described the worldwide increase in domestic abuse as a "shadow pandemic" alongside Covid-19.

According to Lisa Herrington, Head of Policy and Commissioning, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey: "In Surrey, we know that there are an estimated 35,400 victims of abuse, with 3,300 children visible to services as living in homes where there is domestic abuse. Since lockdown has lifted we are seeing the number of people calling Surrey Police for help increase, with an 8% rise in the number of incidents being reported - and, on average, Surrey will record 28 DA crimes every day.

"So accessible, independent, highly skilled specialist services like East Surrey Domestic Abuse Service (see link at the bottom of this article) embedded in the community are fundamental to getting people to safety as quickly as possible." 

It’s estimated that a typical victim endures up to 35 assaults before speaking up, and that can be for many different reasons; fear of losing their children; fear of losing their home; fear of not being believed; even thoughts that they are somehow to blame for the abuse.
 
But bystanders – those in the know whether that’s because they’ve heard or witnessed abusive behaviour, or because the victim has confided in them – can speak up straight away to help stop the abuse and get the victims the support they desperately need.

if you suspect someone is a victim of domestic abuse, speak up anonymously on 0800 555 111, or fill in our quick, safe & easy online form.
 
With support from the Home Office, Refuge, Respect, the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA), Hestia and Neighbourhood Watch, our 6-week #YouAreNotPowerless social media campaign is directed at those who suspect someone is either a victim or perpetrator of domestic abuse.
 
We want to improve the public’s understanding of what domestic abuse is and who it affects, one key point being that not all abuse is physical – it can also be emotional, psychological, sexual, financial, verbal and involve controlling or coercive behaviour.
 
We’re urging people to flag up concerns if a friend, neighbour, colleague or family member is suffering in silence.
 
We’re also working with the EIDA, an umbrella organisation of large and small companies that helps employers take action on domestic abuse, and Hestia, a domestic abuse charity which runs the Everyone’s Business Advice Line, a free and confidential resource where employers can get advice on effectively responding to disclosures of domestic abuse by their employees.
 
Later in the campaign, we’re taking a more preventative approach, focusing on perpetrators. Domestic abuse is a complex issue and we recognise that some people can be stopped if they acknowledge their behaviour and accept that they need help.
 
Whilst we normally focus on people with information about those involved in crime, this approach will be directed at those whose behaviour has `crossed the line’, encouraging them to seek help, such as through the Respect Phoneline on 0808 802 4040. With 1 in 4 perpetrators reoffending, encouraging abusers to face up to their behaviour and get help to change their ways will go some way in preventing future domestic abuse tragedies.

“Domestic abuse affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men during their lifetime. In too many cases, it results in death, with 2 women murdered by a current or former partner each week. Statistics also tell us that 1 in 5 children will witness domestic abuse. I can’t imagine being that victim, terrified to make a wrong move, say a wrong thing - and I don’t want to even try to imagine being that child, scared, defenceless and alone.
 
“We hear heart-breaking stories each and every day from people who are doing the right thing and telling us anonymously when they think domestic abuse is happening. We all need to realise that victims are normally too scared and traumatised to seek help. There was a time when people didn’t know what they could do if they didn’t feel confident in talking to the authorities, but thankfully, those days are over.
 
“Ordinary people’s information, via our charity, helps law enforcement bring a halt to the abuse and violence in the home. Our message is clear – by working together, being aware and reporting what we know, together we can help put a stop to domestic abuse; we can save lives.”

if you suspect someone is a victim of domestic abuse, speak up anonymously on 0800 555 111, or fill in our quick, safe & easy online form.
 

Please note: Computer IP addresses are never traced and no-one will ever know you contacted us. For telephone calls, we have no caller line display, no 1471 facility and we have never traced a call.
 

Useful links

•  

• Surrey Domestic Abuse helpline 01483 776822 - 9am to 9pm, 7 days healthysurrey.org.uk/domestic-abuse

•   East Surrey Domestic Abuse  
    Services 01737 771350 
    esdas.org.uk

• Read our blog by Michelle Blunsom MBE, CEO of East Surrey Domestic AbuseServices, telling us how we can support and help survivors and their dependents.

•   Your Sanctuary 01483 776822
     yoursanctuary.org.uk   

 

• North Surrey Domestic Abuse Services 01932 260 690 nsdas.org.uk

• South West Surrey Domestic Abuse Services 01483 898884 swsda.org.uk

•  Find out more about domestic abuse 
   from Surrey County Council here. The Council is also 
   promoting the fact that businesses and organisations 
   should have an internal policy detailing how they support
   staff affected by domestic abuse. Find out more here.
  
  
   

  
    The vision of the Community Foundation of Surrey is to  
    build a strong movement of local philanthropists,
    connecting them with local charitable organisations to help ensure that every individual in Surrey has hope.
  
  They believe that, together, local people and voluntary sector experts are able to address pressing issues such as domestic abuse, that have for too long, been hidden.
  
  They have produced a Domestic Abuse Webinar. To view it, please follow this link.
  
  Due to the sensitive content, they are unable to post the webinar online. So you will be asked to register to access the recording, and insert a password.

visit our blog pages for the latest on domestic abuse and how to combat it, from those on the front line.