White Ribbon Day in Ilford highlights victimless domestic abuse crimes
Domestic violence case worker, Abigail Phiri, left, and Ask Girls' project manager, Gemma Tully, create awareness about domestic violence on White Ribbon Day - Credit: Archant
White Ribbon Day was started by a group of men “who know that there’s never an excuse for violence against women” and it falls on November 25 every year.
White Ribbon Day was started by a group of men “who know that there’s never an excuse for violence against women” and it falls on November 25 every year.
According to the charity, Women’s Aid, one incident of domestic violence is reported to the police every minute while an average of two women are killed each week by a current or former male partner.
Det Con Jamie Da’Bell, from the Ilford safeguarding unit, said: “Most crimes of this nature happen in the home and, of course, this makes police work very difficult. It is very hard to get a sense of the evidence.”
Research suggests that an average of 35 assaults happen before the police are called.
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The police must also tackle victimless violence – where the individual who has been assaulted does not want to testify.
While it is more difficult it is possible to charge and convict people of assaults without the victim’s evidence.
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Mr Da’Bell said: “In this situation the police must rely on independent witnesses, 999 calls and injuries witnessed by the police.”
To raise awareness for White Ribbon Day, Redbridge Council’s community safety team joined with the police, Victim Support and voluntary sector agencies at a stall in the High Road, Ilford.
They were on hand throughout the day to provide support, advice and information regarding domestic violence against everyone, not just women, and what to do if you are affected by it.
Jeff Gardner, the Victim Support locality director for London, said: “All violence against women is wholly unacceptable so we hope this day encourages anyone affected by violence to come forward and seek help.
“We offer practical support and advice to domestic violence victims and helps vulnerable families get to safety.”
Anyone affected by abuse can visit victimsupport.org.uk
