November 25, 2014 3.12 pm This story is over 112 months old

Lincolnshire partnership fights domestic abuse

White ribbon campaign: The Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Partnership supported a national campaign against domestic abuse on November 25.

The Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Partnership supported a national campaign against domestic abuse on November 25.

On ‘White Ribbon Day’, the partnership held a conference at the Epic Centre at the Lincolnshire Showground to talk about progress that has been made in Lincolnshire in tackling the issue.

It also considered how it can do more to encourage victims to come forward and reduce offending.

The conference highlighted that on average a woman is assaulted 35 times before her first call to the police. As many as one on four children are affected by domestic abuse.

Speakers included Clive Chambers from Bernardos, Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Board Chair Chris Cook and a male survivor of domestic abuse.

Ian McNicholl, a survivor of domestic abuse, spoke of the challenges that male victims face. "Stop domestic abuse" was the message of organisations who attended the conference in Lincoln. Photo: LCC

Ian McNicholl, a survivor of domestic abuse, spoke of the challenges that male victims face. “Stop domestic abuse” was the message of organisations who attended the conference in Lincoln. Photo: LCC

People across Lincolnshire wore a white ribbon to raise awareness of the cause and followed the day’s events on Twitter by using #togetherwecanstopit.

Tony McGinty, chair of the Domestic Abuse Partnership, said: “There is some outstanding work taking place in Lincolnshire to tackle domestic abuse.

“By working with our partners we have been able to raise awareness of physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse and encourage victims to get help from an early stage.

“We are now working closely with GPs to direct patients to support services if they need them, with schools to help educate young people about what a healthy relationship is and with survivors of domestic abuse to improve the services we offer.

“Practitioners have also received training to improve outcomes for service users and their families.

“At this annual conference we will be discussing how we can make further improvements in 2015 to respond early and prevent domestic abuse.”

Anyone suffering from or witnessing domestic violence is urged to call the 24hr National Domestic Violence Helpline on 08082000247.

For help and advice, people can also call one of Lincolnshire’s specialist Domestic Abuse Services:

  • If you live in Lincoln, West Lindsey, North Kesteven or South Kesteven call 01427 616219 or 01522 510041
  • If you live in East Lindsey, call 01507 609830
  • If you live in Boston/South Holland, call 01205 318600 or 01205 311272