A Message To Domestic Abuse Victims And Their Families From North Wales Police

Christmas is a special time when families should be enjoying the festive season, but historically incidents of domestic abuse increase over this period. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Reasons for this include such things as the pressures associated with the holiday period, the increase in alcohol consumption and the psychological effects of past memories at an emotional time. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Sometimes Christmas can be seen as a time to try and reunite families, for personal, genuine reasons. But where an established pattern of abusive behaviour already exists, it can be a catalyst for further incidents to take place. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

This year, North Wales Police are supporting the Live Fear Free Helpline/WAG domestic abuse campaign #makingastandwales. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

North Wales Police Strategic Lead for Domestic Abuse, PC George Howat, said: “Domestic abuse happens all year round, and whilst research indicates there is a strong link between alcohol consumption and domestic violence it is by no means the only aggravating factor. It is important to remember that however it occurs, it is rare for the abuse to end, or the risk to reduce, without intervention of specialists who can help victims and their families, and perpetrators who recognise they need support to change.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We have identified areas where we intend to have an impact to keep vulnerable victims of domestic abuse safe. We want perpetrators who are currently subject to any domestic abuse related conditions to be aware that throughout the Christmas and New Year period we will be checking that they are sticking to the conditions the courts and /or police have imposed upon them.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

He added: “We will not tolerate anyone breaching their conditions. If they deviate in any way then they can expect to be arrested. They know what is expected of them, so they have no excuses.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We encourage the public and victims to help us by reporting incidents when they occur.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

North Wales Police has specialist officers who understand the complex aspects and impact of domestic abuse. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

You can contact us via website, through local police stations or by dialling 101 in non-emergency situations. If you and/or your children are in immediate danger, dial 999. Your safety is always our priority. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

If you are a male or female victim of domestic abuse and need support or wish to discuss your situation you can also call the Live Fear Free Helpline on 0808 80 10 800, where DA Specialists not connected with the police will be able to assist and advise you. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​