Surrey Domestic Abuse Awareness Week

Bringing a hidden problems into focus

Each October, Surrey's multi-agency partners work together to bring domestic abuse into the public arena. The annual Surrey Domestic Abuse Awareness Week campaign is designed to reach as wide an audience as possible, with local awareness-raising activities co-ordinated for maximum impact.

The aims of the Week are:

• To encourage more people to come forward to seek help and support for domestic-related incidents
• To reduce the number of repeat victims
• To increase the numbers of offenders brought to justice

Bev Pass Director of Your Sanctuary Surrey, which provides outreach services for Surrey Heath residents, said: "Research indicates that a victim is likely to experience 35 incidents of domestic abuse before seeking help. Surrey Domestic Abuse Awareness Week is an important time of year to highlight our work with partners to support survivors and their families, and to raise awareness of this devastating crime, which affects so many people regardless of age, gender and race. The message that goes out during the Week, and the other 51 in the year, is that there is no excuse for domestic abuse."

If you have been affected by domestic abuse, call the 24-hour domestic abuse helpline on 01483 776822.

To find out more, contact Joanna Hardy or Jayne Boitoult on 01276 707359 or email: Jayne.Boitoult@surreyheath.gov.uk