Police officers and lawyers from across the region have come together to ensure more perpetrators of domestic abuse are brought to justice.
Nearly 100 delegates attended the inaugural Joint Domestic Abuse Conference hosted by Nottinghamshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service.
The event, held at Nottinghamshire Police headquarters in Arnold on 19 January, focused on common problems with prosecutions and the best ways to overcome them.
Delegates examined recent examples of challenging prosecutions, heard directly from a victim, and also discussed the issue of victim attrition – where people withdraw support for prosecutions.
Detective Inspector Daniel Evans, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Domestic abuse cases are some of the most serious and challenging crimes we are tasked with investigating.
“These are offences that have a profound impact on the lives of victims and their families – people who live in fear of physical and mental abuse by those closest to them.
“The police response to these issues has changed beyond recognition in recent years, but we realise there is still work to do to get the best possible results for victims and to ensure they are safeguarded.
“This event was a great way to bring together all relevant stakeholders in one room and work through the various problems we can encounter as investigators and prosecutors.”
Criminal cases are investigated by the police but prosecuted by lawyers from the Crown Prosecution Service. In the East Midlands, cases are routinely prosecuted by a dedicated team of lawyers who specialise in domestic abuse cases – the only one of its kind in the country.
When cases cannot be successfully prosecuted, officers will do everything they can to ensure that victims are protected from further harm.
District Crown Prosecutor Laura Martin, CPS lead for Domestic Abuse, added: “Domestic abuse cases are a huge part of our work as prosecutors. “Currently they make up around 20 per cent of our entire caseload so it is vital we do all we can to ensure as many successful outcomes as possible.
“As prosecutors and police officers we have to work together to make that happen and this event – hopefully, the first of many – was a great way to improve the way we do things.
“One of the biggest challenges we face is victim attrition, where victims withdraw from prosecutions and don’t want to attend court for a variety of reasons.
“So we want to look at ways we can all support victims to feel comfortable enough to attend court, or if we are unable to do that, how to gather the best possible evidence and develop investigative strategies to so we can proceed with prosecutions without the evidence of victims.
“Ultimately, this is about bringing the highest possible number of perpetrators to justice and protecting the greatest number of victims from harm.”
To report domestic abuse to Nottinghamshire Police, please call the 101 non-emergency number or, in an emergency, always call 999.
Police Silent Solution: https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Documents/research-learning/Silent_solution_guide.pdf
For more information about Domestic Abuse please read this supporting survivors of domestic abuse page.
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Nottinghamshire Women’s Aid website
Nottinghamshire Women’s Aid provides an extensive range of services for women, young people and children.
Newark Women’s Aid provides safe accommodation, with associated support services, for women with or without children, who are living with or have experienced any form of physical, sexual, emotional, psychological or economic abuse. Tel: 01636 679687
The UK’s only registered charity arranging Non-Molestation Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders & Occupation Orders
Men’s Advice Line is a confidential helpline for male victims of domestic violence and abuse.
It offers emotional support, practical advice and information on a wide range of services for further help and support.
Juno’s 24-hour domestic and sexual violence helpline offers support to women, teenage girls and children who have been affected by domestic or sexual abuse.
Tel: 0808 800 0340
Email: enquiries@junowomensaid.org.uk
Deaf and hearing-impaired women can access the Helpline by:
Text Relay/NGT: 18001 0808 800 0340 24 hours a day
Email: helpline@junowomensaid.org.uk daily, 9am – 9pm
Equation: Domestic abuse support for men
Equation provide a free helpline for men which is available Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 4.30pm.
A 24/7 confidential answerphone service is also available.
Call: 0115 960 5556
Email: helpline@equation.org.uk
Nottinghamshire Alliance Against Violence
Make a stand against violence. ‘Like’ our Alliance Against Violence Facebook page
Nottinghamshire Independent Domestic Abuse Service website
NIDAS is a registered charity, formerly known as Mansfield and Ashfield Women’s Aid.
Its aim is to help people experiencing domestic abuse.
They work hard with other agencies to raise awareness of domestic abus
Karma Nirvana is a registered charity that supports victims and survivors of forced marriage and honour-based abuse.
A free to download app providing support and information to those affected by Domestic Abuse, available in 5 languages, has a unique directory of support services and links of further resources including a journal which you can record incidents.
Safeguarding people- a simple shake or tap activates Hollie guard, immediately notifying your chosen contacts, pinpointing your location and sending audio and video evidence directly to their mobile phones.
Broxtowe Women’s Project (BWP)
BWP are here to help women living in the Borough of Broxtowe who are experiencing domestic abuse.We provide a confidential helpline, outreach service, training courses and drop in sessions, all aimed at empowering women and to help them survive domestic abuse.
Find out more about our services below.
Call us if you need our help on 01773 719 111 or email enquiries@broxtowewp.org
