A domestic abuse survivor has called for more to be done to support victims after figures revealed that just nine out of hundreds of coercive control allegations investigated by Cumbria Constabulary resulted in a charge or summons. Home Office data shows that the force recorded 203 allegations of coercive control between April and September 2020. Separate figures show that Cumbria officers assigned 125 outcomes to closed investigations in that time, nine of which led to someone being charged or summonsed to court, while 87 per cent of cases were dropped by the force due to difficulties gathering evidence. Paige Middlehurst, who was the victim of domestic violence by her former partner Declan Clough, said she was disappointed by the figures but urged all victims of abuse to continue to speak out and report it to the police.
Women urged not to suffer in silence during lockdown
Help is still available for women who may be struggling during the national lockdown.
Cumbria Womenâs Centre Network has reminded those who need help that it is still available, despite coronavirus restrictions.
The network is made up of specialist centres Women Community Matters in Barrow, Women Out West in Whitehaven and Gateway 4 Women in Carlisle.
The centres offer services tailored to supporting women and families including counselling, rehoming, and financial support.
Rebecca Robson, senior officer at Womenâs Community Matters, said: âThe centres across the county are all still open and working to offer support and care.
Pharmacy staff are no being trained in helping domestic abuse victims. Domestic abuse victims in Cumbria can now discretely seek help from pharmacy staff taking part in a new scheme - by “asking for Ani”. Staff at the participating pharmacies are trained on the next steps to take. Boots stores across the county are taking part and other participating pharmacies will display posters to show they are also available to help – with the scheme being rolled out across Cumbria. All the person who feels at risk needs to do is go to a staff member and ask “for Ani.” They will be provided with a safe space at a branch and a phone to call for help or information on what support is out there.
Domestic abuse victims in Cumbria can now discretely seek help from pharmacy staff taking part in a new scheme – by asking for Ani. The phrase is code that they are making a call for assistance, with staff at participating pharmacies trained on the next steps to take. Boots stores across the county are taking part and other participating pharmacies will display posters to show they are also available to help – with the scheme being rolled out across Cumbria. All the person who feels at risk needs to do is go to a staff member and ask “for Ani.” They will then be provided with a safe space at the branch and a phone to call for help or information on what support is out there.