POLICE in Somerset are backing a campaign to eliminate domestic abuse after it accounted for about 13 per cent of all crimes report in the force area.

Avon and Somerset Police has said there were 16,900 reports from October 2016 to October 2017.

In the same period, reports of incidents of coercive control, introduced as an offence in 2015, have doubled across Avon and Somerset.

Avon and Somerset Police and Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens are marking International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women with the launch of a campaign to shine a light on domestic abuse.

The campaign will encourage victims to seek help, and offer advice to those who may be concerned about a friend or family member, as well as highlighting the impact of emotional and psychological abuse of a partner. 

Legislation making coercive and controlling behaviour a crime was introduced in December 2015 and the force has seen the number of occurrences reported double in the last 12 months.

Controlling what their partner wears, sees, eats or spends are all behaviours that can form part of a pattern that builds up to coercive control and strips away victims' self -confidence.

As well as encouraging victims of all forms of domestic abuse to seek help the campaign will also encourage friends and family to ‘look, listen, ask, ask again’ if they have concerns about someone they know.

Whilst educating the public on how to spot the signs of domestic abuse the campaign is also helping people to start difficult conversations and give guidance on how best to help people.

Detective Supt Marie Wright said: “Domestic abuse can be insidious and hidden, and not all domestic abuse leaves bruises.

“Our officers are encouraged to trust their instincts and to ‘look, listen, ask, ask again’ if a situation doesn’t seem quite right and we’d like to encourage everyone to do the same.

“Domestic abuse is not a private matter, it’s a serious crime and we all need to play a part in helping to end it.  The more conversations we can have about the issue the easier it will be for people to come forward and ask for help.”