POLICE hope to spread awareness of the support available to domestic abuse victims at this year’s World Cup football tournament.
The campaign, called “Time’s up for domestic abusers”, will take place over the next few weeks in the run up to the tournament, where people can expect to see posters and leaflets displayed in crèches, doctors’ surgeries, pharmacies and libraries across West Cheshire.
During the 2006 tournament there were 1,220 cases of domestic abuse reported in Cheshire and police are urging victims to pick up the phone if it is happening to them.
Cheshire Police’s assistant chief constable Phil Thompson said: “Events like the World Cup should be a competitive but fun time with everyone backing their favourite team.
“But a small percentage of fans use the games as an excuse to drink copious amounts of alcohol and while we encourage responsible drinking, Cheshire Police takes a zero tolerance approach to anyone who domestically abuses anyone they live with, be it under the influence or not.
“We take domestic abuse extremely seriously whatever the time of year and define it as any threatening behaviour or violence. It can be psychological, physical, sexual, verbal or emotional. We know it occurs in all sorts of families from all walks of life and impacts on children and other family members.
“Domestic abuse does not equal but is of course closely linked to child abuse.”
He added: “We urge anyone who is a victim of any type of domestic abuse to come forward and report it. Every report will be treated confidentially. We hope that this World Cup campaign reinforces the all-year-round message that domestic abuse in any form is not acceptable.”
The initiative is promoting two messages. The first one is ‘If it’s kicking off at home, pick up the phone - dial 999’, with an image of a stadium. The other message is ‘Next time he crosses the line, dial 999’.
Cheshire Police are highlighting that one person every minute experiences domestic abuse equating to 90 people for every game.
A spokesman for Cheshire West and Chester Domestic Abuse Partnership said: “We welcome this initiative which demonstrates how seriously all partner agencies take domestic.”
Helpline numbers include: the Family Safety Unit on 01606 351375; Vale Royal Women’s Aid on 01606 871523; Chester Women’s Services on 01244 314950; Ellesmere Port Women’s Services on 0151 355 4679; Victim Support (for men) on 01270 750068 or 0151 424 1786; and Lifeline (a programme for men who want to change their abusive behaviour) on 01925 418430.
To contact your local domestic abuse unit call the Cheshire Constabulary on 0845 458 0000.