Tackling domestic abuse… together we can stop it’

The Six Nations rugby tournament starts this weekend and North Wales Police want everyone to enjoy themselves, have fun and support the team of their choice in a responsible way. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Throughout the tournament officers will be raising awareness of domestic abuse, targeting serial offenders and giving added protection and support to victims. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Sgt Mike Robinson said: “Domestic abuse happens all year round; however, during such large scale sporting events we sometimes regrettably see an increase in cases of domestic abuse. A minority of people will use the occasion to consume too much alcohol and abuse their partner or someone they live with. We encourage responsible drinking but we will deal immediately with anyone who commits domestic abuse.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Domestic abuse takes many forms not just physical assault but can include emotional, sexual, verbal and psychological abuse too. It is a crime, regardless of gender or sexuality that cuts across all social, cultural and religious boundaries. It has far reaching consequences for victims, witnesses, their families and the wider community. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The Six Nations is a time of excitement and celebration and we hope everyone who enjoys rugby has a good time; however there will be no hiding place for people who commit domestic abuse.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Our officers will take a firm stance in dealing with offenders at all times and during the tournament we will be going even further in our response with additional measures. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Sgt Robinson added: “I want to encourage victims to report incidents of domestic abuse so together with our partner agencies we can access appropriate support and intervention for these victims and their families. “ ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“If you are living with domestic abuse, North Wales Police encourage you to come forward and report it. You will be treated with compassion and dignity. You will be believed and your complaint thoroughly investigated. We are committed to giving you the support and assistance to live your life free of fear.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We are tackling domestic abuse and together we can stop it!” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Those people, who do bully, threaten and assault will be dealt with quickly and firmly and they will be arrested and held to account for what they have done. Offenders should be well aware that victims do not have to make a complaint and we will do everything we can to convict those caught. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Further information and advice regarding Domestic Abuse, together with links on how agencies can help you, is available via the North Wales Police website Advice and Support section. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

If you suffer from or witness any form of domestic abuse, please report it. Contact your local police station on 101 or dial 999 if you or your children are in immediate danger. The police now follow a clear and consistent policy in cases of domestic abuse, and are there to help you. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​