Talking about abuse.
Domestic abuse is a prevalent crime and shocking fact of life in our county and country. Estimates are 1 in 4 women, 1 in 6 men suffer at some point in their lives. On average 2 women a week are killed by their partners.
Behind Closed Doors, this week’s conference to raise awareness was timely and necessary: a plea to do more to identify the crime and help its victims.
Surrey Police invited some 350 business people, charities and frontline support personnel to Sandown Park. They experienced a day of hard-hitting facts and moving personal stories. A live drama showed the horrific descent of a relationship from happy times, through control and coercion, to violence and death.
Employment was a salient theme.
For various reasons many victims find nowhere to turn among family and friends. Their work is a kind of refuge. So responsible companies adopt a workplace policy that trains management and staff to be aware of the signs of abuse and how to respond sensitively and safely.
At Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead we support Surrey Police in raising understanding of its own role and the part played by Surrey’s dedicated support groups. Behind Closed Doors shares many aims with our own national campaign Talk About Abuse.
Taking part from the platform: College of Policing, East Surrey Domestic Abuse Services, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner, Mr and Mrs Clough, Alter Ego Creative Solutions and Dysart57 Ltd. Supporters of Surrey Police in a memorable event: Surrey County Council, Office of the PCC, Surrey Safeguarding Children Board, Surrey Against Domestic Abuse, Sandown Park.