“Alarming” domestic abuse rates in the North East demand action says advocacy organisation Represent Women

Written by on 16th December 2024

Women in the North East are the most likely to suffer domestic violence, data has revealed.

Across police force areas of Northumbria, Durham, and Cleveland, 87,566 domestic abuse related incidents and crimes were recorded in the year ending March 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Northumbria, Durham, and Cleveland comprise three of the five police force areas with the most reports, meaning that the North East is the region with some of the highest rates of recorded domestic violence in the UK.

November 25 to December 10 mark 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, and with recent data exposing the prevalence of domestic violence in the North East, organisations across the region are pushing for change.

Joanne Armstrong, Support, Marketing, and Communications Officer at Represent Women, a new advocacy organisation for women and girls’ wellbeing based in Sunderland, said: “Women in the North are more likely to experience domestic abuse than anywhere else in the country. These figures are alarming, and action is needed to bring real change.

“We need to consider actual rates, not just reported incidents. Our members tell us that the reporting process is still not as safe and supportive as needed in some areas.”

Asked what plans Sunderland City Council had for tackling domestic abuse in the region, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing, and Safer Communities, Kelly Chequer, said: “Working with our partners, we are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for everyone.

“There is a wide range of support available across our city, including safe accommodation and refuge, outreach services, practical and emotional support, counselling, plus support for children and young people.

“We all have a role to play in addressing this issue, whether it’s by supporting a friend, a family member, or a work colleague in need, by encouraging conversations, calling out harmful attitudes and behaviours or advocating for change.”

The extent of domestic violence cases across our region is not a new concern. In 2019, ONS data showed that domestic abuse was most prevalent in the North East, at a rate of 19 per thousand population.

One group demanding reform is Wearside Women in Need (WWIN). WWIN is a specialist domestic abuse service in Sunderland, whose project, Findaway, is designed to help victims of domestic violence, as well as their family and friends, access essential support services.

Speaking about the number of domestic abuse cases in the North East, Project Coordinator, Ciara Barrett Smith said: “These statistics are shocking and reflect the sad reality that, whilst WWIN have delivered specialist victim support services in Sunderland for over 40 years, our services are needed now more than ever.

“Although these statistics are shocking, unfortunately due to the hidden nature of domestic abuse, the true number of victims is likely to be much greater. Many women and children experience abuse which goes unspoken, unreported and unrecorded every day.

“Domestic abuse is more common than people often think, which means we all probably know someone who has been affected.”

She added: “Domestic abuse is a serious but preventable issue – just because it is very common does not mean it has to be that way.”

Director of Advocacy and Policy at Represent Women, Erin Parker Leonard (left) and Director of Commissioning and Policy at Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria, Rachel Snaith (right) meet to discuss plans for women’s support services (Courtesy of Represent Women).

While figures in the North East have reached worrying levels, domestic abuse remains a serious problem across the UK – on average, a woman is killed by a man every three days.

In November, Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, vowed to halve violence against women and girls in the next decade. The commitment has been welcomed by many women’s charities, but several also say that action needs to be taken urgently.

Tabitha Morton, Executive Director of UN Women UK, shared her organisation’s targets and response to the announcement.

“During the 16 Days Against Gender-Based Violence, UN Women UK urges the UK Government and the private sector to end femicide by accelerating whole-of-government National Action Plans to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls; adopting corporate policies to support survivors; holding perpetrators to account by strengthening law enforcement and justice  sectors; and by ensuring women’s and marginalised groups’ meaningful access to gender-responsive justice where they can seek remedies without fear of negative consequences.”

As part of their mission to tackle this, UN Women UK have launched ‘Stop, Support, Report’ training tools to advise bystanders on how to help someone they believe might be a victim of gender-based violence.

Ms. Morton continued: “As harrowing as statistics are, violence against women and girls is not inevitable and active bystander intervention is a crucial part of a whole-system approach. When we intervene, we signal to perpetrators that their behaviour is unacceptable.

If this message is constantly reinforced within our communities and our workplaces, we can shift the boundaries of what is considered acceptable.

“It’s on all of us to enact meaningful change by adapting our behaviour to help defuse situations, discourage harassers, and support victims.”

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can find help by contacting Refuge’s national domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247 and the Samaritans on 116 123 for free.

Wearside Women in Need’s helpline is also open seven days a week, 9am to 9pm, and is available on 0800 066 5555.

If you are worried about someone you know, you can contact Findaway’s anonymous phoneline on 0300 140 0061.

If you are in immediate danger, call 999.


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