PCSP Womens Aid 'Walking on Eggshells'

Domestic Abuse ‘Walking on Eggshells’

The Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) and PSNI have launched a new campaign to encourage people to report incidents of domestic abuse. The key message of the campaign ‘If you feel like you are walking on eggshells, that’s domestic abuse’ is designed to make victims aware that they can take steps to stop abuse and to increase the number incidents reported.

The campaign will run until the end of July and will consist of a wide range of promotional materials and will feature on billboard, adshel, radio and online advertising across Northern Ireland.

The police respond to an incident of Domestic Abuse every nineteen minutes, however it is predicted that a large number of domestic incidents are still going unreported. There are dedicated Officers across Northern Ireland to ensure that all domestic abuse crimes are investigated, as well as providing support and information to victims about police procedures and legal proceedings.

Chair of the Newry, Mourne and Down PCSP, Councillor Mickey Larkin said, “While it is encouraging that the number of domestic abuse incidents being reported has risen in the last year, we need to reach out to victims who still feel unable to take the first steps to get out of what must be a terrifying situation. This campaign emphasises that domestic abuse can take many forms, creeping into everyday life and sometimes victims do not even notice that anything is wrong. The message is clear, abuse is wrong and we need to stop it.”

Superintendent Paul Reid from the PSNI said, “Between March 2015 and April 2016 there were 28,392 domestic abuse incidents reported to police, which is an increase of 105 incidents compared to the same period last year. We welcome the increase as we believe this shows confidence is increasing in the police, however we know that incidents are still going unreported.”

Superintendent Reid continued, “People who are being abused often feel isolated, vulnerable and frightened and do not know where to turn for help. Through this campaign we are encouraging all victims regardless of age, race, gender or sexuality to come forward and report the matter to the police.”

Domestic abuse is an issue that cannot be dealt with solely by the police and they will continue to work with the PCSP and other key stakeholders to highlight the issue and explore ways in which we can make communities safer. 

A 24-hour Domestic and Sexual Helpline is available to anyone who has concerns about domestic or sexual violence, now or in the past on 0808 802 1414.

The PCSP encourage anyone suffering from domestic abuse to contact their local police on the non-emergency 101 or in an emergency always call 999.