Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden, has praised Sussex Police for their hard work during the Coronavirus pandemic following a briefing with Sussex Police and fellow Sussex MPs, in particular with regards to domestic abuse cases.
Sussex Police have reported general crime rates are down since this time last year, but domestic abuse cases have increased significantly. Officers have recently had their advice updated to try and keep domestic abuse victims safe during this difficult time, including offering video and telephone appointments to improve officers’ accessibility.
In addition to the national #YouAreNotAlone campaign launched by the Home Secretary last week, Sussex Police are aiming to launch an external domestic abuse campaign aimed at those without access to the internet, which will direct individuals to help and advice using posters at supermarkets, pharmacies and medical centres in the near future.
Nusrat Ghani said “I am incredibly grateful to Sussex Police for their hard work and dedication during this time of national emergency to help keep our communities safe. I am pleased that there is a focus on domestic abuse as this will be a particularly challenging time for those trapped at home with an abuser. I look forward to working with local police on their supermarket information initiative which I hope to see in place soon.”
All local support services can be found on www.safespacesussex.org.uk and the 24 hour National Domestic Abuse helpline number is 0808 2000 247. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to call the police but cannot talk, after calling 999, press 55. This way the emergency team can help you without you having to talk.
In Sussex, domestic violence victims and survivors can also get in touch with The Portal, a partnership of leading domestic and sexual abuse and violence charities, who help people find the right help and support, as well as offering advice and help to families and friends. Please see www.theportal.org.uk for further information or they can be contacted at [email protected] or 0300 323 9985.
You can also use the following contacts to report, deal with, and get advice regarding domestic violence:
- Age UK Advice Line (8am –7pm 7 days a week) 0800 678 1174
- Your GP or other NHS health providers
- Hourglass helpline: 0808 808 8141
- 24hr free National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247
- 24hr Aanchal helpline 0845 4512 547 – If English isn’t your first language
- Women’s Aid and the Survivor’s Handbook www.womensaid.org.uk
- Mankind Helpline 01823 334244 – for men
- Paladin NSAS (Paladin-National Stalking Advocacy Service) 0207 840 8960
- Broken Rainbow Helpline 0300 999 5428 LGBT helpline
