During the World Cup, and in response to national changes in the law relating to domestic abuse, Calderdale Domestic Abuse Partnership is stepping up its work to raise awareness of the support available.
The Partnership is made up of organisations who work together to protect and support people affected by domestic abuse – including Calderdale Council, West Yorkshire Police, health services, White Ribbon and WomenCentre.
The organisations met last week to discuss how the World Cup and law changes could affect people in Calderdale, and how to continue their safeguarding and support work to respond to these.
The event had a particular focus on:
World Cup 2014
Raising awareness of domestic abuse support services during the World Cup, as domestic abuse is known to increase during World Cup football matches.
Forced marriage
From 16 June 2014, new legislation came into place which means that forced marriage is a crime. Under the new law, anyone found guilty of forced marriage can face up to seven years in prison.
Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (also known as Clair’s Law)
This came into effect in March 2014 and means that members of the public can make an application for a disclosure, known as the ‘right to ask’, about an individual who they are in a relationship with, or who is in a relationship with someone they know, where there is concern that the individual may be violent towards their partner. A request can be made to West Yorkshire Police via the Police non-emergency number 101, by going to your local Police station or by asking a Police Officer on the street.
Domestic Violence Protection Notice (DVPN) and Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO)
These came into effect on 2 June 2014. They give the Police additional powers to protect a victim from further harm of domestic violence. A DVPN may be issued to a person aged 18 years and the individual does not have to consent to the issuing of a DVPN or DVPO.
Speakers at the event included West Yorkshire Police, Calderdale Police Safeguarding Unit, Calderdale Council of Mosques and WomenCentre.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Steve Sweeney, said:
“Domestic abuse affects one in four women during their lifetime, and on average it takes 35 incidents of domestic abuse before a victim reports the matter to the Police.
“We want Calderdale to be a place where people feel safe, and we are doing all we can to tackle domestic abuse. We work with other organisations to raise awareness of the issue and urge residents to speak out if they are suffering abuse. There’s a range of places where people can get help and support – both practical and emotional.”
For details of domestic abuse services visit the domestic violence page on the Council’s website.
Calderdale Domestic Abuse Partnership:
The members of Calderdale Domestic Abuse Partnership are Calderdale Council, West Yorkshire Police, Probation, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Victim Support, WomenCentre, White Ribbon, Pennine Housing 2000, Homegroup and Brunswick Centre. The Partnership is chaired by WomenCentre.