27 November 2017
The Home Affairs Minister has praised a new domestic abuse campaign encouraging Islanders to show their support and speak out about domestic abuse in the community.
This week the States of Jersey Police launched a domestic abuse campaign, called #SittingRightWithYou, to highlight domestic abuse in our community.
Domestic abuse is a crime in which the abuser seeks power and control over their victim and can affect women, men and children. Violence, control, intimidation and isolation are all types of abuse.
The States of Jersey Police responded to nearly 1,000 domestic violence incidents last year and attend an average of three domestic abuse incidents every single day of the year.
In order to raise awareness the States of Jersey Police have launched a campaign called “Does that sit right with you?” which features a yellow sofa, that will be in town all this week.
The campaign aims to encourage Islanders to think about what makes a healthy relationship using messages such as:
- ‘he checks my phone all the time’
- ‘she has control over my bank accounts’
- ‘I can go out with friends when he says it’s ok’
Deputy Kristina Moore, who is leading Jersey’s compliance with the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, said: “One of the priorities for my term in office has been to ensure that we protect islanders from domestic abuse, and it’s good that sexual violence and domestic incidents have decreased by 8%.”
“However figures show that high risk domestic incidents have risen by 11%, so we need to keep focusing on this area and continue to work across the private and public sector to educate people about the causes and impacts of domestic abuse.
“Domestic abuse is unacceptable in our community and must be challenged. I would encourage Islanders to speak up against domestic abuse and help to raise awareness throughout the States of Jersey Police campaign #SittingRightWithYou.”
High risk domestic cases are assessed on the severity of the incident and are very often repeat cases who have been risk assessed already and are known to the services.
Deputy Moore is due to submit the draft Sexual Offences (Jersey) Law to the States Assembly for debate early in 2018.
This new sexual offences law would provide protection to individuals of all genders, and particularly aims to protect children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and ensures that abusers can be appropriately punished.
In June this year the Minister also lodged a new bail law as part of the department’s plans to improve criminal justice legislation.
Deputy Moore added: “Not only will this new bail law protect the rights of suspects and defendants in criminal proceedings, but it will also allow appropriate bail conditions to be imposed to help protect victims and witnesses.”
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