Wokingham

People who have suffered through domestic violence are to have extra help as Wokingham District Council and West Berkshire Council have employed a new domestic violence reduction coordinator to help tackle the issue. This local initiative coincides with national White Ribbon Day (November 25, 2006), when domestic violence will be highlighted as a worldwide problem.

Domestic violence reduction coordinator Jo McIntyre will work with the Wokingham Domestic Violence Forum comprising representatives from local agencies such as Wokingham District Council, Thames Valley Police, Berkshire West Primary Care Trust, Berkshire Women’s Aid and the Sahara Asian Women’s Project. The forum members work together to help prevent domestic violence, to help those who are affected by it and look to raise awareness of the problem through local events.

Reports of domestic violence are on the increase and in the Wokingham district alone there were 681 incidents reported in 2005, although it is estimated that, despite encouragement from the police to report domestic violence, less than half of incidents are actually reported.

Cllr Barrie Patman, executive member for Wokingham community safety, said: “Domestic violence should not be tolerated. I approve of all measures to raise awareness of this issue and the forum aims to enable people to realise that help is closer at hand than they might think. This is a very important initiative for the council to be leading.”

Jo McIntyre, domestic violence co-ordinator for the council, said: “Domestic violence exists in all communities and affects people regardless of age, race, ability, sexuality or class. Research shows that females are assaulted approximately 35 times before they seek help and, in nine out of ten cases, children are in the same or next room when the violence occurs. By ‘domestic violence’ we also mean financial, verbal and emotional abuse.”

Leaflets, posters, helplines and emergency contact numbers will soon be distributed by The Wokingham Domestic Violence Forum.

More information on White Ribbon Day can be found on www.womankind.org.uk. The Wokingham Domestic Violence Forum can be contacted via the Wokingham District Council community safety team on (0118) 974 3797.

Wokingham District Council