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| Violence fears over credit crunch | Violence fears over credit crunch |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The credit crunch could lead to an increase in domestic abuse, say police and victim support groups. | The credit crunch could lead to an increase in domestic abuse, say police and victim support groups. |
| Gwent Police Chief Constable Mick Giannasi said community intelligence suggested economic hardship was causing more tension in homes. | Gwent Police Chief Constable Mick Giannasi said community intelligence suggested economic hardship was causing more tension in homes. |
| Welsh Women's Aid also said financial worries were one of the key factors that could influence domestic violence. | Welsh Women's Aid also said financial worries were one of the key factors that could influence domestic violence. |
| White Ribbon Day, an international event calling for the end of violence against women, takes place on Tuesday. | White Ribbon Day, an international event calling for the end of violence against women, takes place on Tuesday. |
| "We're picking up things like there appears to be more tension in homes for example, so we talk to people like victim support organisations," said Mr Giannasi. | "We're picking up things like there appears to be more tension in homes for example, so we talk to people like victim support organisations," said Mr Giannasi. |
| "We have a bobby van scheme that goes out and helps people that have been involved in crime and we're picking up the sense that life is a bit more tense." | "We have a bobby van scheme that goes out and helps people that have been involved in crime and we're picking up the sense that life is a bit more tense." |
| DOMESTIC ABUSE FACTFILE Domestic Abuse accounts for one-quarter of all violent crime in the UKOne incident of domestic abuse is reported to the police every minute in Wales and EnglandOn average a women is attacked 35 times before contacting the police50% of women murdered are a result of domestic abuseIn 35% of cases there is a second assault within five weeksFor women across the world aged 19 - 44, domestic abuse is the leading cause of death, greater than cancer, war and motor accidents | |
| Welsh Women's Aid chief executive Paula Hardy said women were often given cash by their partners to run the household which could lead to problems when money was tight. | Welsh Women's Aid chief executive Paula Hardy said women were often given cash by their partners to run the household which could lead to problems when money was tight. |
| "I think in terms of hitting a credit crunch now, it's well known that there are key factors that exacerbate the problem," she said. | "I think in terms of hitting a credit crunch now, it's well known that there are key factors that exacerbate the problem," she said. |
| "For us it's a very big concern and it's something we will be talking to other agencies about." | "For us it's a very big concern and it's something we will be talking to other agencies about." |
| Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline manager Tracey Owens said there was never any excuse for domestic violence but outside influences did play a role. | Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline manager Tracey Owens said there was never any excuse for domestic violence but outside influences did play a role. |
| No excuse | No excuse |
| "If there is domestic abuse in the home, any kind of external factor which is putting strain on a relationship can exacerbate the problem," she said. | "If there is domestic abuse in the home, any kind of external factor which is putting strain on a relationship can exacerbate the problem," she said. |
| "There are a lot of things but there's no excuse for domestic abuse, it's about power and control." | "There are a lot of things but there's no excuse for domestic abuse, it's about power and control." |
| The helpline has seen an annual increase in the number of calls it receives from women, men and children since it was set up in 2004. | The helpline has seen an annual increase in the number of calls it receives from women, men and children since it was set up in 2004. |
| From April 2007 to March 2008 it took 13,982 calls compared to 13,568 from April 2006 to March 2007 and 8,494 the previous year. | From April 2007 to March 2008 it took 13,982 calls compared to 13,568 from April 2006 to March 2007 and 8,494 the previous year. |
| However, the helpline only became a 24-hour service in January 2007. | However, the helpline only became a 24-hour service in January 2007. |
| Assembly Minister for Social Justice Dr Brian Gibbons announced more than £1.5m of funding on Tuesday to support organisations tackling domestic and sexual abuse. | Assembly Minister for Social Justice Dr Brian Gibbons announced more than £1.5m of funding on Tuesday to support organisations tackling domestic and sexual abuse. |
| Support centres | Support centres |
| Eleven projects across Wales will receive grants for 2008/09 including the North Wales Women's Centre, Blaenau Gwent Domestic Abuse Service and Llanelli Women's Aid. | Eleven projects across Wales will receive grants for 2008/09 including the North Wales Women's Centre, Blaenau Gwent Domestic Abuse Service and Llanelli Women's Aid. |
| Dr Gibbons said: "It is very important that Wales takes action to minimise domestic abuse through dedicated support centres. | Dr Gibbons said: "It is very important that Wales takes action to minimise domestic abuse through dedicated support centres. |
| "We also need to be aware that as we approach the festive season, sadly the risk of domestic violence increases. It is vital that we work to prevent this crime as well as having services in place to respond." | "We also need to be aware that as we approach the festive season, sadly the risk of domestic violence increases. It is vital that we work to prevent this crime as well as having services in place to respond." |
| Mid and West Wales AM Joyce Watson is setting up a campaign in Wales to recruit sporting ambassadors to say no to domestic violence and her first recruit is former Wales rugby international Derwyn Jones. | Mid and West Wales AM Joyce Watson is setting up a campaign in Wales to recruit sporting ambassadors to say no to domestic violence and her first recruit is former Wales rugby international Derwyn Jones. |
| "Sport and rugby in particularly has a reputation for being a very macho environment," said Jones. | "Sport and rugby in particularly has a reputation for being a very macho environment," said Jones. |
| "There is also a culture of not getting involved in people's personal lives but domestic violence is a crime that we should all say no to whatever sex or background we come from." | "There is also a culture of not getting involved in people's personal lives but domestic violence is a crime that we should all say no to whatever sex or background we come from." |
| • The Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline can be contacted on 0808 8010 800. It is a free support and information service for women, children and men in Wales. | • The Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline can be contacted on 0808 8010 800. It is a free support and information service for women, children and men in Wales. |