Police are today launching their annual campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse over the festive period.
Domestic abuse is the physical, emotional, sexual or financial abuse of a man or a woman by a current or previous partner.
Edinburgh has resources dedicated to tackling these offences, such as the Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit (DAIU), and over the past 3 years there has been a small decrease in reported incidents over the festive period.
DCI Alwyn Bell of Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit said: “Although reports of domestic abuse over the festive period have shown a small decline in the past three years, we know that victims report only a proportion of actual offences committed.
“One incident of domestic abuse is one too many. Victims are often made to feel frightened, isolated or ashamed by their abuser, and the impact on them and their family can be devastating.
“My message to anyone who is suffering domestic abuse is that you are not alone and you are not to blame. We want victims to know that help is available. We continue to work closely with partners from Social Work and Health in addition to voluntary support agencies such as Womens Aid, EDDACS, Shakti and Sahelyia.
“My message to perpetrators is that there is no hiding place. Be assured that we will take all possible measures and use all available resources to pursue you.”
The DAIU, with assistance from the Divisional Violence Reduction Unit, will be carrying out proactive checks on people subject to bail conditions who have been arrested and charged for domestic abuse and are pending trial. Officers will also be proactively pursuing suspects and those subject to outstanding warrants.
Officers will be providing information to the public at Ocean Terminal today and Thursday 17, and the Gyle Shopping Centre tomorrow and Monday 21.
Officers will also be attending educational institutes to raise awareness among young people, beginning with the Main Library and Murray Library at the University of Edinburgh on Friday, Gorgie Mills High School on Monday 14 and Liberton High School on Wednesday 16.
Police Scotland’s national campaign runs from Christmas Eve to 5th January, with Edinburgh Division beginning a local campaign from today until Christmas Eve also.
For more information on domestic abuse, please visit www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/advice-for-victims-of-crime/domestic-abuse
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
