Crimestoppers appeal

Breaking the silence

In December 2008, the crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers Opens in a new window launched its first ever appeal to the public to give information they may have about domestic abuse of a loved one, colleague or neighbour. According to the charity, two women are killed every week by a current or former male partner in England and Wales; and domestic abuse accounts for a 35 per cent of all murders.

Due to changes in the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004, victims now have increased protection available to them. Third party information can now play a more prominent role in building a prosecution case around domestic abuse, due to these changes in legislation.

This has meant that Crimestoppers can now play a more active role in asking for information from third parties, as there is no risk to the anonymity of the caller and their information can play an important role in getting offenders prosecuted.

Crimestoppers piloted domestic abuse campaigns asking for third party information in West Mercia, West Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire during '16 days of action' in 2007. The pilot saw an increase in the number of calls to Crimestoppers and to the local police forces. Following the successful pilot Crimestoppers is encouraging people to call the charity anonymously on 0800 555 111 to pass on information they may have about someone they know is suffering from domestic abuse or someone they know who is doing it.

Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, founder and Chairman of Crimestoppers, said: "Many people may still see domestic violence as a private issue. But it isn't. It is a crime, and just with any other criminal act, information is needed to help make arrests and build prosecution cases. It is vital that people are aware that the information they have on domestic violence can help bring offenders to justice and safety to the victim. We must help to put a stop to it."

Click here Opens in a new window for further details on the Domestic Violence, Crimes and Victims Act 2004.

Domestic abuse: the statistics

• A domestic abuse victim will be beaten 20 times in the next year
• One in four women is a victim of domestic abuse
• One in six men is a victim of domestic abuse
• Figures show that victims only contact the police after an average of 35 assaults
• 77 per cent of those suffering four or more incidents are women
• One incident of domestic abuse is reported to the police every minute
• 39 per cent of domestic abuse cases involve alcohol
• There is a 30 per cent increase in reported domestic violence incidents when large sporting events take place
• Domestic abuse crime has the highest rate of repeat victimisation

Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111