Staffordshire Commissioner’s Office played a pivotal role in an international Domestic Violence Study day at the weekend.
International delegates from Germany joined members of the public and private sector at a conference on Domestic Abuse in Staffordshire.
The aim of the conference, organised by Lichfield and District Soroptimists International, was to understand that domestic abuse matters to all, and to reflect upon ways they can help through empowerment.
On behalf of the commissioner, Deputy Staffordshire Commissioner Sue Arnold, an advocate for domestic abuse victims and survivors said: ‘Domestic abuse is not something that happens elsewhere to other people.
‘It happens in Staffordshire, to us, our friends, our family members, our colleagues.
‘We want to do everything we can to tackle domestic abuse and its causes, both in Staffordshire and around the world’.
The Domestic Violence Study day was attended by Soroptimists from 20 clubs and professionals from other disciplines.
The event, at Elford village hall, featured a variety of guest speakers including a heart-wrenching account from a West Midlands police officer who was herself a victim of coercive control and violent behaviour when she was a child.
Other speakers included representatives from West Midlands Police who also discussed forced and arranged marriages. The team task in the afternoon was to pack 100 ‘Mum’s Bags’ for women who have had to leave their homes suddenly as a result of being victims of domestic abuse.
Delegates welcomed news of New Era, the new domestic abuse (DA) service which launched last month across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, providing free, confidential support and services for everybody affected by domestic abuse.
The service supports adults, children and young people with help available 24 hours a day 7 days a week and will ensure consistency for victims and their families who will no longer face a postcode lottery when they need specialist support.
New Era is the result of the Staffordshire Commissioner’s Office working with Stoke City Council and Staffordshire County Council over the last two years to enhance the support available for victims of domestic abuse no matter where they live in Stoke-on-Trent
Deputy Staffordshire Commissioner, Sue Arnold, also encouraged delegates to sign up to become Domestic Abuse Champions in their workplace. She praised the work employers do to recognise their responsibility and appoint an advocate to ensure that policies, aims and objectives are met amongst their colleagues.
‘Employers have a responsibility to provide staff with a safe working environment and we know that for some staff the workplace can be the only safe haven from domestic abuse and violence.
‘Domestic Abuse Champions in the workplace have an enormous role to play not only ensuring that victims get support but sometimes the perpetrators in their workplace too.
‘Our New Era service tackles the root of the problem with perpetrators and it is important that our champions know where they can get help too!’ she said.
If you would like to become a champion of domestic violence within your workplace or speak with someone about the role, please email: workplace.support@staffordshire.pcc.pnn.gov.uk
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Image attached: Deputy Staffordshire Commissioner Sue Arnold with DCI Jenny Pearson and DS Trudy Gittins from West Midlands Police
