Its not only women and children who are affected by domestic abuse, it can happen to anyone regardless of gender, age ethnicity or religion.
This was the theme of the Hidden Crimes Conference held this week at the Oriel House in St Asaph.
The one day event, supported by the Denbighshire Community Safety Partnership, saw delegates from across the region share an understanding of a wide range of issues that are often at the edge of mainstream practice.
Local and national keynote speakers gave presentations - raising awareness of the hidden crimes emerging in our communities. These included the harmful practice of female genital mutilation; the support available to women trafficked into the UK; as well as issues facing older victims and children who are victims of domestic abuse.
But the highlight of the day came as pupils from Rhyl High School and Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan, Abergele, illustrated the work they have done on projects relating to domestic abuse.
In preparation for White Ribbon Day, the year 7 pupils from the Rhyl school had written poems and prepared a mural entitled These hands are not for hurting, which focussed on building safe relationships. While the group of A level drama students from Abergele performed a play based on the experiences of a tenage girl who became a victim of sexual bullying and violence.
Some of the children explained: We have learnt about good and bad relationships, but we did not realise how often domestic abuse happens.
Domestic abuse co-ordinator Michelle Davidson Beck said: We hope that by raising awareness of these hidden crimes, agencies and professionals will work in partnership to tackle these issues to make our communities a safer place to live in.
Note
Statistics from the British Crime Survey 2007/08 indicate that 23% of women have experienced some form of sexual assault since the age of 16.
At least 12 women die each year in the UK as a result of honour-based killing Fawcett Society (2009).
3 million women across the UK experience rape, domestic violence, forced marriage, stalking, sexual exploitation, trafficking and other forms of violence every year. At least one out of every three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime — with the abuser usually someone known to her.
Report of the Secretary General
•In over 90% of domestic abuse incidents, a child is present or in an adjacent room.
•30% of domestic abuse starts, or gets worse, during pregnancy.
•Domestic abuse accounts for almost 25% of all recorded violent crime.
•One in four women will be affected by domestic abuse in their lifetimes.
•Two women a week are killed by their partner or ex-partner in England and Wales.
•54% of rapes in the UK are committed by a womans current or former partner.
•Nearly 75% of children on the Child Protection register live in households where domestic abuse occurs.
In 2007/08, 13,982 calls were made to the Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline. This figure represents all calls made to the Helpline.
Loading...
9:22Hidden Crimes Part 1by UEstopvivisezione2,940 views
All Comments