March marks Domestic Violence month and friends of victims of domestic violence in Doncaster are being urged to report offences under a new advertising campaign which has been launched by the Home Office.  

The ’Enough’ poster, press and radio campaign, which runs until the end of March, forms part of ongoing Government work to tackle domestic violence and comes alongside the rollout of new specialist domestic violence courts.

Victims often tell someone about their abuse - usually a friend or family member. The campaign urges them, as well as victims, to seek support from the National Domestic Violence helpline.  

Cllr Stuart Exelby, Doncaster Council’s Cabinet Member for Crime and Public Safety explained: “There is no excuse for domestic violence and we are committed to making sure that residents in Doncaster feel safe not only in the streets but in their homes.”

“There are many support services across Doncaster for victims and friends or family of domestic violence including Doncaster Women’s Centre, Doncaster Women’s Aid and Victim Support South Yorkshire. Doncaster also has a Domestic Violence Working Party, a multi agency forum which is actively engaged in initiating, developing, supporting and sustaining initiatives which provide services for victims of domestic violence.

“We are also delighted that Doncaster is one of 60 places across the country chosen to take part in the Government’s specialist domestic violence court programme which will enable the court to fast track domestic violence cases whilst providing additional support and advice.”

The court, which will see Doncaster Magistrates Court become a specialist domestic violence court, is due to open in April.  Special measures at courts will include fast-tracking and clustering of domestic violence cases so that the courts run more effectively and separate entrances and waiting areas so that victims do not run into their attackers. The Safer Doncaster Partnership has also recently appointed an independent domestic violence advocate to work with the specialised court.

Sgt Paul Reed, who works with the Doncaster domestic violence team said: “Whilst recorded incidents of Domestic Violence have fallen in Doncaster over the past year, we want to continue to urge victims and their family and friends to come forward to report any incidents of domestic abuse or violence.”

From April 2005 to December 2005 South Yorkshire Police recorded 4,585 counts of domestic violence incidents whilst between From April 2006 to December 2006 there were 3,988. This shows a reduction of 587 incidents.  Figures for recorded domestic violence crime incidents for Doncaster in 2006 also showed a reduction of 30.25% over a five month period.

If anyone has information for the police or would like to report a domestic violence incident, please call 999 for emergencies or 01142 20 20 20 for non-emergencies.

Doncaster Women’s Centre - 01302 309810
Doncaster Women’s Aid - 01302 326411
Victim Support South Yorkshire - 01302 365 531