Learning about domestic violence

                                               One of the main priorities of the West Suffolk Community Safety Partnership, on which I am Babergh’s representative, is supporting organisations, such as Compassion,  that help victims of domestic violence.

Yesterday  I attended a course, which was really designed for those working in agencies such as social services, the health service and the police.  My aim was better to understand the issues involved and learn more about the sort of people that the Safety Partnership supports.

I was very impressed at the amount of information that was imparted in the course of a day, and certainly learned a lot.  There are many myths surrounding the subject and most of these were well and truly debunked in the course of the training.

   
The afternoon was devoted to discussion of honour based killings and forced marriages.  These are issues that arise among immigrant families who bring traditional cultural practices with them from their original homes.  Younger family members, educated in the UK, often prefer western ways, particularly when it comes to issues of relationships, and so the trouble starts.  Some of the stories that we heard were unbearably sad.  It is no small thing to be obliged to cut yourself off entirely from your family, never to see them again and, indeed, to be in fear for your life. 


I am pleased that here in Suffolk we are doing well in raising awareness and supporting these very vulnerable individuals