ESSEX Police is taking part in a national campaign this week to raise awareness of domestic abuse issues and the response of the police and partner agencies.
Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh has made a commitment from Essex Police to offer better protection and support to victims of domestic abuse.
He has also taken personal oversight of the force’s plans to shape the way it deals with this vital issue.
He said: “There has been some really positive work done so far and we have made a number of improvements to the way we tackle domestic abuse but I know there is still more work to be done.
“We are in the process of setting up joint teams with Essex County, Southend Borough and Thurrock Borough councils to share information and respond together to domestic abuse incidents.
“I want us to wrap as much protection and support around victims as possible so that if necessary they can find new homes, schools for their children and other services to enable them to escape the cycle of domestic abuse.
“At the same time we are determined to take a hard-line approach with offenders; to make them the focus of police attention and prosecute them for any and all offences they commit.”
The week of awareness will culminate on Friday March 7with the roll-out of Clare’s Law – the domestic violence disclosure scheme.
It will allow people to check the police record of their partners, and can be triggered in two ways: a Right-to-Ask, where people can apply to police forces in England and Wales for information on a partner’s history of domestic violence, and a Right-to-Know: where police can proactively disclose information in certain circumstances.
In the run up to the launch, Essex Police will also be highlighting some of the other areas where it has been carrying out work on the policing of domestic abuse:
On Tuesday March 4 it will be talking about witness and victim care
On Wednesday March 5 it will be highlighting the planned introduction of domestic violence protection notices and prevention orders
On Thursday March 6 it will be showcasing the work of its newly created Domestic Abuse Crime Unit.
Finally on Friday March 7 it will be explaining in greater detail about the launch of Clare’s Law, how it will work in Essex and how people can make use of it.