Sussex Police - new initiative counters domestic abuse as World Cup starts

There are two parts to the initiative; Domestic Violence Protection Notices (DVPN) and Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPO).

The system will become available for use from tomorrow (Thursday June), the first day of the 2014 World Cup, when experience shows that domestic abuse incidents increase on the days of England matches.

Sussex Police are also mounting special dedicated domestic abuse patrols on those match nights

Detective Superintendent Paul Furnell said: “These Protection Notices and Orders will give police new civil powers, allowing us to put in place protection for the victim in the immediate aftermath of a domestic violence incident. They can be used where the perpetrator is cautioned, bailed without conditions but also where no further action is otherwise taken.

“They can bridge the gap in providing immediate emergency protection to the victim where there is an on-going risk of violence.”

“They complement The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (also known as “Clare’s Law”) introduced in Sussex in March this year, which gives people the ‘Right to Ask’ about an individual they are in a relationship with, or who is in a relationship with someone they know, if they have a concern that the partner may be violent or abusive.

The new measures taking effect in June can be considered for use if violence has been used or threatened by someone over 18 and the level of the violence causes the attending police officer to fear for the on-going safety of the victim.

If the suspected perpetrator is arrested and taken to custody, as well as investigating any criminal offences identified, officers can also give consideration to the use of a Domestic Violence Protection Notice.

For further information about the way the Notices and Orders work, go to;

http://www.sussex.police.uk/help-centre/ask-us/domestic-abuse/what-is-a-domestic-violence-protection-order-(dvpo)

http://www.sussex.police.uk/help-centre/ask-us/domestic-abuse/what-is-a-domestic-violence-protection-notice-(dvpn)

Sussex Police and partners have an ongoing campaign, including advertising and local events, aimed at encouraging all victims of domestic abuse to report incidents earlier before the abuse escalates, and at raising awareness of White Ribbon UK, an international organisation working to involve men in opposing violence and abuse against women

If you don’t want to talk to the police, talk to someone. These organisations can also help;

The 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247

www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk

West Sussex - WORTH on 0330 222 8181 www.worthservices.org

Brighton & Hove - RISE helpline on 01273622822 www.Riseuk.org.uk

East Sussex Domestic Abuse Service on 0844 225 0657

Broken Rainbow - LGBT Domestic Violence Helpline 0n 0300 999 5426 - www.brokenrainbow.org.uk

Men’s Action Line on 0808 801 0327 - www.mensadviceline.org.uk