Kent: Spot the signs of domestic abuse!

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Crimestoppers is reminding people in Kent there are signs to spot that domestic abuse could be happening to someone close to them, in a new campaign launched this week.

In 2023, the charity received over 4,000 reports on domestic abuse offences. They are appealing for anyone who is aware of it happening to contact them 100% anonymously, as it can save lives. Anyone can become a victim of domestic abuse, with 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men experiencing it in their lifetime. And in too many cases, it results in death, with 2 women murdered by a current or former partner each week across the UK. Often, children living in households are the unseen victims who carry this trauma throughout their lives.

Information can be given 100% anonymously to Crimestoppers in over 150 different languages, 365 days of the year, 24/7, by calling the UK-based Contact Centre on 0800 555 111, or by completing a safe and secure online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org. In an emergency, always call 999.

Domestic abuse can be physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, or financial. And any adult can be a perpetrator.

How do you know if someone is a victim of domestic abuse?

Some of the signs can include:

Their partner puts them down in front of other people
They are constantly worried about making their partner angry
They make excuses for their partner’s behaviour
Their partner is extremely jealous or possessive
They have unexplained marks or injuries
They’ve stopped spending time with friends and family
They are depressed or anxious, or you notice changes in their personality

You may be a neighbour who could have seen or heard:

Threatening and intimidating arguments, which may involve violent language or escalate to smashing up the furniture
Arguments where the partner blames the other for their actions, saying they are “asking for it” or deserve the abuse
Individuals with bruising or other visible marks, which may have been caused by physical abuse

A team of professionals working at the Crimestoppers national Contact Centre anonymise all information received – to ensure the person giving the details can never be identified – before passing it on to police to investigate. Whether it is a neighbour, friend, work colleague, or relative, no one will ever know who provided the information.

Phil Breckon, Regional Manager at the charity Crimestoppers, said:

“Every day we hear distressing stories from people who are doing the right thing and telling our charity anonymously when they think domestic abuse is happening.

“We know that victims sadly may be embarrassed, too scared and traumatised to seek help, and it typically could take 35 assaults before they have the strength to speak up. This could be for many different reasons; fear of losing their children; fear of losing their home; fear of not being believed; even thoughts that they are somehow to blame.

“Information, given to our charity from people across Kent, helps law enforcement stop abuse and violence in the home. By working together, knowing the signs to spot and reporting what we know, we can help put a stop to domestic abuse and we can save lives.”

Please note:

Computer IP addresses are never traced and no-one will ever know you contacted Crimestoppers.

For telephone calls, there is no caller line display, no 1471 facility and calls have never been traced.

Additional support

Due to Crimestoppers’ anonymity guarantee, they cannot take information from victims. Support and help are available to victims of domestic abuse, whether or not it is reported to the police, via the following organisations:

The 24-hour Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available to call free of charge 24/7 on 0808 2000 247.
Web chat and a message facility is also available at www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/.
Support is also available from Women’s Aid www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/ as well as the Men’s advice line mensadviceline.org.uk/ run by Respect for male victims, who can be contacted on 0808 801 0327.
Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or via www.childline.org.uk
Perpetrators who recognise they need to change their behaviour can contact: The Respect Phoneline on 0808 802 4040

The following organisations encourage companies to improve how they support potential employees who have experienced domestic abuse or guide staff on what to do if they have suspicions: