Domestic abuse victims are being urged to not suffer in silence over the festive period and to reach out for support. Senior prosecutors have also warned those who unleash abusive behaviour at their partner or children that they will suffer the consequences.
Both the Solicitor General Lucy Rigby MP and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have issued the festive season warning to domestic abuse offenders as well as their long-suffering victims.
Hardworking Crown Prosecution Service staff are available round the clock to ensure charging decisions in violence against women and girls cases can be taken swiftly over Christmas. The reminder comes as research has shown a seasonal rise in domestic abuse during the festive season, with police called to a worrying number of incidents. The combination of financial pressures, excessive alcohol and close-quarter living for days on end is often cited as cause of the rise, but some domestic abuse charities have argued that these are potentially just triggers in relationships which are already abusive.
The abuse does not always appear obvious, with many people still erroneously believing that it just covers violence. Women’s Aid notes that it can also include other forms of abuse, including coercive control, intimidation, degradation, isolation, psychological and emotional abuse, sexual abuse, financial or economic abuse, harassment and stalking as well as online and digital abuse.
The Solicitor General Lucy Rigby MP said: ” Domestic abuse can take many sinister forms, and we must do everything we can to ensure that we are equipped to spot it and tackle it. The festive period should be a time for relaxing with friends and family but for many victims it can be a nightmare as we sadly see an increase in CPS referrals for domestic abuse.
“That is why we are sending a clear message to victims that trained specialist help is available. Our hard-working prosecutors work every day of the year to ensure that offenders can be charged and put into custody 24/7, and that the Crown Prosecution Service doesn’t close for Christmas.”
The Crown Prosecution Service’s out of hours service data reveals that 3,577 out of 6,446 cases were related to crimes such as coercive control in December 2023. This is up from 3,095 in 2022 and 2,963 in 2021.
Kate Brown, National Lead for Domestic Abuse for the CPS, said: “We don’t stop for Christmas, we’re there to help people. People should not be hesitant about coming forward and thinking that during the Christmas period nobody’s around to help them. We’re here to actually make sure people are charged efficiently, quickly, remanded into custody.
“It is sad and distressing to know that as a lot of people are preparing themselves for fun and a good time at Christmas, we’ve got victims who will be approaching the Christmas period worried and anxious that there may be an escalation of domestic abuse during this period.”
Tracey Easton, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Direct, said that they are prepared to see the number of cases referred to them for domestic abuse incidents rise in the next week.
She added: “Domestic violence referrals of incidents tend to spike over the Christmas period. We operate overnight, every night between 5pm and 9am and every weekend we work and Christmas Day and Boxing Day and every other bank holiday and we are fully staffed and fully available to make serious charging decisions for the police.”
Phone numbers for victims of domestic abuse sexual violence
Devon Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Service covers Devon (but not Plymouth). Confidential, professional support to survivors of rape, sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse on 01392 204 174 (opening hours Mon 6.00pm-9.00pm, Wed 6.00pm-9.00pm & Fri 6.00pm-9.00pm).
Victim Support team Devon and Cornwall 0300 303 0554 lines open 12pm-6pm Monday to Friday.
Torbay Domestic Abuse Service (TDAS) on 0800 916 1474.
Alternatively, call the Women’s Aid 24-hour helpline: 0808 2000 247.
The 24-hour National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline number is 0808 2000 247
If you need support outside of our open hours, call our Supportline for free on 08 08 16 89 111
In a non-emergency, call police on 101.
In an emergency, call 999.
The Areyouok? website gives plenty of information on where to find support – for both victims and abusers who want to change their behaviour.