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Andrew StunellWorking hard for Bredbury, Compstall, Great Moor, Hawk Green, Hazel Grove, Heaviley, High Lane, Marple, Marple Bridge, Mellor, Offerton, Romiley, Rose Hill, Strines & Woodley since 1997 |
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON THE INCREASE ACROSS GREATER MANCHESTER
August 24, 2009 11:31 AM
Andrew Stunell is calling for more Domestic Violence victims to come forward
Domestic violence across Greater Manchester is on the rise, according to new Government figures given to Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell.
The figures, obtained from the Solicitor General's Office by Mr Stunell in response to Parliamentary Questions show that:
- There were 64,156 domestic violence incidents recorded by Greater Manchester Police in 2007/08, up from 56,778 in 2004/05, an increase of 7,378.
- There were 8,924 arrests during 2007/08, up from 6,150 in 2004/05.
- The number of convictions for domestic violence has also gone up, with 3,021 successful convictions out of 4,022 attempts in 2007/08, up from just 918 in 2004/05.
- However, only one in three arrests for domestic violence in the region leads to a successful conviction, with many cases failing to even get to court.
- Only one in eight domestic violence incidents leads to an arrest.
- In Andrew's own area of Stockport, there were 228 convictions for domestic violence up from just 78 in 2004-05.
Now Mr Stunell is calling for more people to come forward and report incidences of abuse to the police, rather than continue to suffer in silence.
Commenting, Andrew Stunell said:
"These figures make for pretty grim reading, and we need to ensure that this trend is reversed immediately.
"The Police and Crown Prosecution Service should be praised for arresting and convicting more of the perpetrators, but the conviction rates still remain low, and too many people remain too frightened to come forward.
"For all local victims of abuse, the message is the same: You are not alone, it is not your fault and there is help available. Greater Manchester Police and the Safer Stockport Partnership both provide help and support in a safe environment for domestic violence victims. I strongly urge anyone who is experiencing domestic violence to come forward and get help immediately - don't continue to suffer in silence."
If you want advice, information and support, please contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0800 2000 247 or Greater Manchester Police's Domestic Violence Unit on 0161 429 0849. Further Advice, information and Support is available at the Stockport Domestic Abuse Forum at: http://s1.stockport.gov.uk/DAF/home.html
ENDS
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