00:00 Christmas is a time for joy, but sadly this isn't the case for everyone.
00:07 Across the UK, police forces often see a spike in domestic abuse cases.
00:12 I mean this is the most intimate type of offence. It's within that intimate environment, that home,
00:18 where you're supposed to feel safe with the person that should care about you more than anyone.
00:23 During the festive period, an increase in alcohol consumption and financial pressures within families
00:28 can lead to physical abuse within relationships.
00:31 It can also be a catalyst for psychological abuse with coercive or controlling behaviour,
00:36 creating fear in relationships and homes.
00:39 It's difficult for people to sometimes understand or acknowledge that they are in an abusive relationship
00:47 because they don't want to believe that that person would harm them in that way
00:51 and it's difficult for them then to see a way out.
00:55 Mayside Police don't want anyone to suffer in silence.
00:58 They want to reassure victims that, together with their partners,
01:02 they are still here to support them throughout the festive period and beyond.
01:07 So Op Shepard is a response to a number of different crime types over the Christmas period.
01:13 Domestic abuse is one of the key pillars around that.
01:16 So we have got additional resources in the night-time economy within the city
01:21 and generally on duty to respond to those incidents when they're reported, when they're occurring.
01:26 We've got additional investigators on duty to respond to those incidents,
01:31 to support the victims, to deal with the perpetrators,
01:34 to look at achieving a positive outcome within the shortest period of time,
01:38 to safeguard the victims and to make sure that they get all the support that they need.
01:43 The additional measures will ensure victims are fully supported if they choose to go ahead
01:48 and make a formal complaint to police or access advice from domestic abuse charities.
01:54 We have our external partners that we link in with.
01:57 We have those independent advocates who can fully support victims,
02:02 giving them practical advice on that emotional support they may need.
02:06 And there are a number of services throughout Merseyside where people can get that support,
02:11 they can get that help, they can get the practical advice that gives them the strength
02:16 to be able to address what's happening to them
02:19 and empower them to take their own decisions back into their own hands.
02:26 Domestic abuse affects the lives of many people from all different backgrounds,
02:31 regardless of gender, age, race or religion.
02:35 And I would say to anyone, if you've got a friend or a family member, a colleague,
02:40 who you speak to or you see signs that they may be suffering some form of domestic abuse,
02:47 I would say report on their behalf.
02:50 Be that support for them, report what's happening to them,
02:55 because they may not have the strength to do that,
02:57 and that may be the only time that they actually are able to get that help.
Comments