Launch of Shropshire Specialist Domestic Violence Court

Press release - 21 June 2007

An initiative to help and support victims of domestic violence is being launched at Shrewsbury Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 26 June 2007.

Shropshire County Council has worked with a number of partner agencies to set up the Specialist Domestic Violence Court for Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Market Drayton.

The Specialist Court will involve dedicated Crown Prosecutors and specially trained Magistrates and Legal Advisors. The Court will sit on a fortnightly basis and provide, where necessary, additional facilities to ensure victims of domestic violence feel safe and supported.

All frontline West Mercia Constabulary Shropshire Division Police Officers receive training in the investigation of domestic violence incidents. Independent Domestic Violence Advocates are available to support victims who are at high risk of domestic violence and will also support them up to, during court hearings and also after the case.

According to statistics compiled by Women’s Aid, one in four women will be a victim of domestic violence at some point in their lifetime and one in eight on an annual basis; every week two women are murdered by their partners or ex-partners and in the UK, police receive one domestic violence call every minute. However, still less than half of all victims report domestic violence incidents to the police. In addition the NSPCC have recently released statistics which reveal one in four children have seen adults in the family home being violent.

Councillor Gerald Dakin, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, Shropshire County Council said: “The launch of the Shrewsbury and North Shropshire Specialist Domestic Violence Court is an opportunity to highlight the fact that there is help and support available in Shropshire for anyone who experiences domestic violence. Shropshire County Council is fortunate to have excellent links and close partnership with organisations and local groups working to ensure we help those suffering from domestic violence receive the help and support they need."

Amongst the representatives speaking at the launch will be Carolyn Downs, Chief Executive of Shropshire County Council and David Chantler, Chief Probation Officer with West Mercia Probation Service who will be welcoming and thanking individuals and agencies involved in the project.

For further information, contact Colleen Lucas, Specialist Domestic Violence Court Project Manager on 01743 252258

ends

For further information, call Colleen Lucas, Specialist Domestic Violence Court Project Manager on 01743 252258
For media contact, call Maria Jones, Communications Officer, Community Services on 01743 253881

Notes to Editor

The Specialist Domestic Violence Court includes partnership organisations from:

Shropshire County Council
Her Majesty’s Court Service
Crown Prosecution Service West Mercia
West Mercia Probation Are
West Mercia Constabulary, Shropshire Division,
Victim Support
Stonham

Specialist Domestic Violence Courts are part of Central Government’s national plan to provide a multi agency response to create greater victim safety and bring perpetrators to account by

• Increasing the early identification of domestic violence
• Provide effective advice and support to victims
• Increase the protection of victims
• Increase the rate at which domestic violence is reported
• Increase the rate of convictions of perpetrators of domestic violence
• Reduce the rate at which victims retract their statements
• Develop evidence to increase knowledge and understanding of what works in reducing the prevalence of domestic violence
• To ensure special measures are in place where appropriate

Facts and figures

As many as 1 in 4 women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime and 1 in 8 are victims on an annual bases. A recent NSPCC survey has reported that 1 in 4 children have seen adults in the family being violent.