It is good to see that Suffolk Constabulary clearly outperformed
other parts of the region, and generally came out well, from a recent countrywide
inspection of police response to domestic violence and abuse carried out by
HMIC (Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary).
We knew that the inspectors were ‘in’ because officers at
the County Council, which co-ordinates the fight against domestic abuse across Suffolk,
were invited in to be ‘interviewed’ about our relationship with the police. As the current chairman of the Suffolk Domestic
Abuse Partnership, (groups across the county, both statutory and voluntary, who
are concerned with combatting violent and abusive behaviour in the home against
both men and women) I am very aware of the constructive way that the police
work with partners, and their strong support for the Partnership’s efforts.
The executive summary of the report leads with the encouraging
message that
‘The public in Suffolk can generally have confidence that
the police provide a good service to victims of domestic abuse and in doing so,
help to keep them safe.’
Other forces in the region did not enjoy the same
endorsement.
Suffolk police are not complacent though. When I e-mailed CS David Cutler, the lead for the police in this area, to
congratulate him on the positive report, he replied that there is ‘still a lot to do’.
click here if you want to read the full report.
If you are affected by domestic abuse or violence, it is
always right to seek help. A good place
to start is here.
The Domestic Abuse Partnership is currently piloting its own
website, which is primarily aimed at helping victims. It will be up and running shortly.
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