How can the Police help
Domestic abuse is a crime, which the Police take very seriously. It is no less serious than being attacked outside your home by a stranger. You must telephone the Police if you feel threatened or in any danger. Dial 999.
The Police will assist you in many ways:
- remove the person who is harming you and interview you safely
- they will not leave you alone unless they are sure that you are safe and in no further danger
- they can contact the local Refuge and arrange to take you there if that is what you want
- they can ensure you receive any medical treatment you may require
- they can provide you with information about what support is available to you in your local area
- they can refer you to the Police Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit
The Police Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit is staffed by officers who are highly skilled and trained to deal with victims of domestic violence. They will treat you with empathy and sensitivity and are able to give you advice about keeping yourself safe, answer any worries you may have, refer you to appropriate support agencies, help you through any criminal proceedings you may decide to take and support you if you are required to attend Court.
You will be able to choose what you wish to do but the officers of the Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit will be there to support you with those decisions.
The Police will always attend incidents of domestic violence. It won't matter how many times you may have called them previously and whether or not you wanted to pursue any criminal charges against the perpetrator of the violence.
All reports of domestic abuse are taken very seriously.
In an emergency dial 999