Forces work together to improve service for victims of police perpetrated domestic abuse
Wiltshire Police and Dorset Police are working together to offer an improved service to victims of domestic abuse where the perpetrator is serving within policing.
A memorandum of understanding between the two forces means that for cases involving allegations of police perpetrated domestic abuse in Wiltshire or Dorset, regardless of whether the victim is also working in policing, an option may be provided to the victim to have a case officer appointed from the other force.
This aims to maximise the confidence in those people reporting that the matter will be handled in a consistent and appropriate manner, independently of the alleged perpetrator’s ‘home force’.
Detective Chief Inspector Claire Smith, Wiltshire Police lead for violence against woman and girls (VAWG), said, “It is fact that there will be victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse within our force.
“This new protocol for the handling of domestic abuse incidents when the alleged perpetrator of harm is serving within Wiltshire Police, including police officers, police staff and volunteers, will hopefully encourage more victims to come forward and have confidence in our investigation into their case.
“Recognising the complexities of abuse and understanding that it is silence which can allow perpetrators to continue causing harm, we are constantly seeking ways to remove barriers, along with our partners, to reporting so that positive action can be taken.”
Statistics show that one in five adults experience domestic abuse during their lifetime and for every three victims two are female and one is male. Evidence suggests that domestic abuse is a largely hidden crime with less than 24 per cent reported to the police.
Superintendent Neil Wright, Dorset Police’s lead for VAWG as well as domestic abuse lead, said: “Domestic abuse remains a top priority for Dorset Police and we want all victims to have the confidence to report matters to us in the knowledge that they will be fully supported and perpetrators will be held to account.
“This new protocol for the handling of domestic abuse incidents when the alleged perpetrator of harm is employed by Dorset Police – whether an officer, police staff or volunteer – will hopefully encourage more victims to come forward.
“Recognising the complexities of abuse and understanding that it is silence that can allow perpetrators to continue causing harm, we are constantly seeking ways to remove barriers, along with our partners, to reporting so that positive action can be taken.”