The Home Secretary Theresa May yesterday announced that police forces across the UK will be investigated over their handling of domestic abuse cases.
Citizens Advice has said that the investigation will bring welcome scrutiny and that, despite improvements in police handling of domestic abuse cases, some victims aren’t given the protection orders to keep themselves safe.
Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said:
“The police handling of domestic abuse cases sometimes leaves victims without the protection they need.
“The police have made crucial improvement over the last two years but some victims still do not get the support they need. We have helped people who have had no choice but to stay in the same house as their abuser after reporting an incident because police treated the matter as a civil issue or didn’t offer the victim measures to help keep them safe, like Domestic Violence Protection Orders.
“For people who may have suffered from years of abuse police can be the first contact they have with authorities, so it is good news that there will now be greater scrutiny.
“An investigation into police handling of domestic abuse needs to look into whether victims are taken seriously and supported when they report any kind of domestic abuse, including physical violence or having their money or day to day lives controlled.”
Citizens Advice has developed guidance on how to identify abuse, the steps people can take when someone discloses abuse, and the ways people can get in touch with professional organisations.
Notes to editors