Welsh Football Hero Backs North Wales Police Campaign

North Wales Police have teamed up with Welsh football hero and Premier League footballer Neil Taylor to raise awareness about domestic abuse. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The ‘Stop It Change It’ campaign is focused on recognising people’s own behaviour, lifestyle or situation and getting the support they need. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Domestic abuse can be devastating. One in four women and one in six men will be affected sometime in their lives. Evidence has shown that the number of domestic abuse incidents sharply increased during previous football tournaments. Win or lose, the heightened emotion coupled in many cases with alcohol results in increased adrenalin, lost tempers, violence and abuse. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Euro 2016 tournament brings hope, excitement, tension, frustration and disappointment. But for some, after the game it brings violence and fear. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Neil Taylor from Ruthin in North Wales, who plays for Premier League side Swansea City FC, has played a major part in ensuring Wales progressed through the Euro 2016 tournament, scoring his first goal for Wales in their 3-0 win against Russia. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Neil said: “This is a special tournament for the whole country, it’s been 58 years since Wales qualified for the finals of a major football tournament and we want everyone to enjoy it. We need everyone’s support.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

He added: “The ‘Stop It Change It’ campaign is simple, if you need support, ask for it. We can all do more to raise awareness in helping to reduce and eradicate all forms of abuse and there are plenty of agencies that can help you, it doesn’t have to be the Police.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

North Wales Police have specialist officers dedicated to supporting all victims and they will carry out robust investigations to bring offenders to justice. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

North Wales Police Strategic Domestic Abuse Officer George Howat said: “As a Police force we want to reduce all forms of abuse and change the lives of victims for the good, but it is important to also address the cause. We are here to respond to incidents, protect our communities from those who cause harm and create a safer North Wales.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The ‘Stop It Change It’ approach is aimed at making people look at themselves, giving them the power to change their lives.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We appeal to anyone who recognises they need help in addressing their behaviour to take advantage of the support available. Domestic abuse is not ok.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The aim of our Euro 2016 campaign is to show that the police are also here to help you with the support you need – be that a victim or an offender. If you think there is a problem get help. We have close relationships with support agencies. ‘Stop It Change It’ before it changes your life and those around you.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

If you suffer from or witness any form of domestic abuse, please report it. Contact your local police station on 101 or if you or your children are in immediate danger dial 999. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​