Welsh Government
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New campaign to highlight signs of domestic abuse
A publicity campaign focussing on the signs and symptoms of domestic abuse has been launched by the Welsh Government.
The “Cross the line” campaign aims to raise awareness of the subtle signs of domestic abuse.
Coming only days after the Welsh Government passed landmark legislation to tackle violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence, it asks people to consider where the line between normal behaviour and controlling behaviour is crossed in two different scenarios.
Television advertisements start on ITV Wales and S4C this evening (16 March), with longer, interactive versions of the adverts online. Viewers of the interactive versions will be able to click at the point they feel the behaviour becomes unacceptable.
The first scenario sees a man belittling his partner as they sit in a pub. As she visibly becomes more upset, the voice-over invites the audience to judge at which point they think the man has crossed the line between banter and abuse.
The second features two friends meeting for dinner in a restaurant. The one is distracted by her mobile phone. As her friend witnesses the increasingly frequent contact from the unseen partner, the voice-over again invites the audience to identify where they think the line has been crossed between caring and controlling.
Both adverts close with the hashtag #whereistheline and the address of the Live Fear Free website where people can get more information and access the help and support they need.
The Minister for Public Services, Leighton Andrews said:
“Domestic abuse comes in many forms and doesn’t always result in bruises or broken bones. Emotional abuse is also domestic abuse and should be seen as such.
“The aim of this campaign is to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse in a relationship, to help victims and their friends and families understand that abuse is not ‘normal’ behaviour, and to persuade them to get the help and support they need.”
To view the films and for more information, visit livefearfree.org.uk. You can also call the All Wales Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Helpline on 0808 80 10 800.
