Devon and Cornwall police dedicate £630K to combat domestic violence
Devon and Cornwall police are putting a total of £630,000 towards a new domestic violence scheme.
The government has provided £417,395 while Councils and the police and crime commissioner have contributed the rest. The funding will be used by the police and local councils with a focus on rehabilitation and prevention. Authorities will work with abusers and their families to “break the cycle of violence.” Key workers and members of the public will also be educated on how to identify signs of abuse in relationships and how to intervene to help victims.
According to commissioning officers, the scheme is designed to reduce rates of domestic violence long-term by focusing on the perpetrator as well as the victim. If the scheme is successful in helping the police target cases of domestic violence early, it could help perpetrators alter their behaviour and reduce repeat offending.
the scheme is designed to reduce rates of domestic violence long-term by focusing on the perpetrator as well as the victim.
The scheme is arriving during England’s second national lockdown. The first three-month lockdown saw an increase in cases reported to hotlines, with 40,000 calls being made to the National Domestic Abuse helpline. Government restrictions have kept people at home, meaning victims of domestic abuse are finding it more difficult to escape their situations. This funding is intended to help combat the rising rates of domestic violence that have been exacerbated by the pandemic.
If anyone is experiencing domestic abuse, support can be found here:
National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247
Police Victim Care Unit – 01392 476900
Editor: Emily Im
