See the YouTube video message from Assistant Chief Constable John Parkinson.
What do YOU say? See some of our public feedback.
West Yorkshire Police has teamed up with West Yorkshire Probation Trust and other partner agencies to raise awareness of domestic violence, where people can go for help and advice to both victims and perpetrators.
All agencies are continuing to work together in order to provide support for victims and also rehabilitation for offenders.
Domestic Abuse
West Yorkshire Police responded to nearly 28,000 incidents of domestic abuse between March 2009 and April 2010
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse can include:
• verbal arguments,
• threats,
• intimidation,
• harassment,
• assault,
• sexual assault,
• injury
• damage to property.
The police use the following definition:
‘Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender. Both parties must be adults. Family members include in-laws and step relations as well as immediate family. The definition includes same sex partners and ex partners, irrespective of how long ago the relationship ended.’
Domestic abuse occurs mostly towards women from men but men can also be victims. It can occur in any relationship regardless of age, sex, class, race or disability.
If you are suffering same sex domestic violence, please click here for more information.
What to do if you are a victim
Domestic abuse will not be tolerated by West Yorkshire Police. We treat all reports seriously and we will do whatever we can to help prevent further incidents occurring. We always encourage those who suffer domestic abuse to report incidents to us.
We have a zero tolerance policy in respect of domestic abuse; we will arrest anyone who is alleged to have committed a criminal offence and will prosecute where ever possible and appropriate.
Who can help?
We have specially trained officers who can provide support and practical assistance to those who suffer domestic abuse, for example in making your home safer. They are located in our local Safeguarding Units and their contact details are below. We work in partnership with a wide variety of statutory and voluntary groups who can also provide help and support and with your permission we will put them in touch with you.
You should report any incidents of domestic abuse to the police by calling 08456 060606. In an emergency always dial 999.
You can also call or email your local Police Safeguarding Unit to discuss any concerns or questions you have with one of our specialist staff on the contact details below:
Bradford South : ga.safeguarding@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk 01274 376440
Airedale and Bradford North : ha.safeguarding@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk 01535 615730
Calderdale fa.safeguarding@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk 01422 337041
Kirklees ea.safeguarding@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk 01924 206342
Wakefield da.safeguarding@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk 01977 601039
North East Leeds ba.safeguarding@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk 0113 2413633
North West Leeds aa.safeguarding@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk 0113 2414949
City and Holbeck ca.safeguarding@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk 0113 2414127
There are also several other agencies who you can call for help or support:
24hr National Domestic Violence helpline 0808 2000 247
National helpline for men wanting to change 0845 122 8609 www.respectphoneline.org.uk
Broken Rainbow - support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people experiencing domestic violence.
08452 60 44 60
www.broken-rainbow.org.uk
Wakefield
The Safe at Home Team 0800 915 1561 Email safeathome@wakfield.gov.uk
Alcohol Team 01924 302120
Safer Relationship Men’s helpline 07515 573842 (please leave a message)
Calderdale
Calderdale Women Centre 01422 323339 www.womencentre.org.uk
Doorways – for help with housing 01422 392460
Bradford
Staying Put 01274 667104 www.stayingput.uk.net
Email enquiries@stayingput.uk.net
Leeds
Safer Leeds http://www.leedsinitiative.org/safer/page.aspx?id=10454&terms=domestic violence
Kirklees
Pennine Domestic Violence Group 0800 052 7222 www.pdvg.org
Kirklees Safer Stronger Communities
http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/you-kmc/kmc-services/department/communitysupport.shtml
For more information on domestic violence please click here.
What do YOU say?
Selection of public comments submitted via our "What do you Think?" feedback box on the News section, and also from the West Yorkshire Police Facebook page.
This is a serious problem...glad you are aware of the seasonal increase in home violence...kids suffer not just wives.
Football can bring families together. It's just the idiots who give it a bad name for the wrong reasons…genuine supporters who go for the game aren’t thugs.
Yet again the focus is on female suffering from domestic violence when it can also be the other way round but is reported less due to to stigma...
The video makes you stop and think about the impact of domestic violence during large sports events. A programme on Radio Four suggested said spikes in violence during the world cup could be just a myth but here is the evidence. On the video, well presented and putting it on YouTube will also be seen by younger viewers.