Prosecuting domestic abuse suspects, detaining perpetrators in La Moye, supporting victims and raising awareness of the crime costs £3.4 million a year.
In Jersey, domestic abuse accounts for 16 per cent of all recorded crime – double the level in the UK – and Detective Chief Inspector Mark Hafey, who is leading the campaign, said the Island does have a ‘problem’.
The officer, who leads the force’s Public Protection Unit, said over half of all serious crimes such as murder, attempted murder and manslaughter in Jersey in the last 20 years have been domestic related.
Thursday 26 November – 11 am to 2 pm
Tuesday 1 December – 11 am to 2 pm
Thursday 3 December – 11 am to 2 pm and 4 pm to 7 pm.
In May 2004 builder and carpenter Nicholas William Goss killed his former girlfriend at her flat in Cannon Street and in 2011 Damian Rzeszowski killed his wife, two children, father-in-law, a family friend her daughter at a home in St Helier.
And Antonio Barbosa (54) was jailed for nine years in 2013 for trying to kill his wife of 35 years at their Les Quennevais home by stabbing her repeatedly.
For the next fortnight, the States police and their partner agencies are promoting the White Ribbon Campaign to highlight the prevalence of the crime in Jersey.
- In 2014, domestic abuse accounted for 16% of all recorded crime (double to the UK).
- Jersey Police attend over 1,000 domestic abuse incidents per year.
- Over 500 of the reported domestic abuse incidents in 2014 involved children.
- Over half of all murders in Jersey over the last 20 years involved domestic abuse.
- 42% of serious assaults in 2014 were domestic related.
- The annual financial cost of domestic abuse in Jersey has been calculated at £3.4m.
Islanders are being encouraged to wear a white ribbon badge to show their support and groups such as the Jersey Rugby Club and Jersey Hockey Club have been pictured promoting the campaign.
The police, as well as the Jersey Women’s Refuge and Independent Domestic Abuse Service, are also operating a pop-up shop from the former Sure shop in King Street.
Det Chief Insp Hafey said the shop a was place where Islanders could go to find out more about the campaign, report abuse against themselves or share information about friends or family they may be concerned about.
‘The biggest risk of being seriously hurt in Jersey is from domestic abuse.
‘We need to make it clear to all cultures in Jersey where we stand with domestic abuse.
‘We need to communicate with the Polish and Portuguese communities that we take domestic abuse very seriously we will do our best to support people who suffer abuse and investigate crimes.
‘Language is not a barrier for us.
‘We don’t like to call victims of domestic abuse victims, we prefer the term survivors because it takes real strength and character to come out and report it.
‘We have a problem but it is no worse than elsewhere – we just have the reporting mechanisms in place.’
Over the next two weeks the charity Prison!Me!NoWay!!! will be visiting schools to work with nearly 3,000 children to teach them about domestic abuse.
‘If we get the education right then we really have a chance to make a difference.
‘Children need to grow up knowing domestic abuse is wrong.
Source: Jersey Police website
- Domestic abuse is a crime which affects hundreds of people every year across the Channel Islands.
- Domestic abuse, also referred to as domestic violence, is a pattern of behaviour characterised by the exercise of control by one person over another within the context of an intimate or family relationship.
- The abuse may take many forms such as physical, sexual, emotional, psychological or financial; most commonly it is a combination of all of these forms and is likely to get worse over time and increase in frequency.
- Domestic Abuse is primarily a gender based crime consisting mainly of violence by men against women. However, it does occur in same sex relationships and heterosexual men can also be abused by their partners or other family members. It is never acceptable.
- Domestic Abuse severely impacts on children and young people as witnesses to the abuse.
Helpful Contacts:
If you are in immediate danger:
- Dial 999: At other times contact 612612 to report a crime or 612239 to ask Police Domestic Abuse Officers for help and advice
- Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA): The IDVA works with high risk victims (male and female) of domestic abuse to help them access services to keep them and their children safe. Referral can be made through any agency or by the individual him/herself. Contact 07797818324 or 07797818327.
- Jersey Womens Refuge: The refuge is a confidential service which offers support, advice and safe accommodation to female victims of domestic abuse. The 24 hour helpline number is 08007356836.
- Victim Support: Provides advice, information, listening, ongoing support and referrals for male victims of domestic abuse. Contact 440496.
- Adapt: This service is aimed at men who would like to stop their abusive behaviour. Referral can be made through any agency or by the individual himself. Contact 07797732207
- Crimestoppers: Jersey Crimestoppers is an independent charity working to fight crime. Call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800555111 if you are worried about someones safety.
