Kent Police and Kent Fire and Rescue Service commit to domestic abuse campaign

Over 40 Kent Police employees have joined a global campaign striving to stop violence committed against women.

Forty six officers and staff have become White Ribbon Ambassadors for the force, which announced its participation in the initiative alongside Kent Fire and Rescue Service at the Road Safety Experience in Rochester on Wednesday 23 August 2017.

White Ribbon Ambassadors are men who act as formal representatives of White Ribbon UK, part of a worldwide movement aiming to prevent men committing violence against women and girls.

In Kent last year 75% of 19,549 reported domestic abuse crimes had a male named as the offender. Of these, 89% had a female as a victim.

Kent Police is committed to providing a first class service to victims of domestic abuse and uses the full remit of its powers to support victims and their families to bring offenders to justice.

 

In 2016 officers made use of new laws to prosecute offenders for controlling and coercive behaviour, with 58 charges against males.

The force also works with a number of partner agencies, including local councils, charities and support groups to help victims move out of abusive relationships.

The White Ribbon initiative is a new scheme Kent Police is using as part of its ongoing commitment to protect and serve the people of Kent.

 

 

 

As part of their roles, White Ribbon ambassadors will work on a voluntary basis to help educate friends, colleagues, family members and wider communities on the issue of violence being committed against females.

This may include speaking at schools and public events and taking part in fundraising activities.

 

 

 

 

 

Assistant Chief Constable Tony Blaker said: ‘Everyone at Kent Police is dedicated to providing a first-class service to victims of crime and the White Ribbon initiative complements the force priorities of supporting the most vulnerable in our communities.

‘Violence within a family, and any other setting, is deplorable and has no place in our society.

‘Unfortunately a disproportionate amount of violence, particularly in a domestic setting, is committed by men against women.

‘It is clear that men have a crucial role to play in putting a stop to this issue and I am proud to give Kent Police’s support to the White Ribbon initiative.’

 

Matthew Scott, the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, is also a White Ribbon ambassador and was in attendance at the event.

He said: ‘I’m delighted to be an ambassador for the White Ribbon campaign. I feel it’s vitally important that we stand up as positive role models for other men and make a clear, collective statement – that there is no place for abuse, violence or exploitation in our society.

‘Domestic abuse may occur behind closed doors but the consequences are often devastating and long term, affecting victims’ physical health and mental well-being. It can also have a significant and long-lasting effect on children in the household, the victim’s wider family and the local community.

‘It is undoubtedly the case that the majority of domestic abuse victims are female but I have promised to continue to work in collaboration with partners to ensure all victims of abuse, whether male or female, including the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) community, are able to access appropriate support services, and that prevention and early intervention opportunities are identified.’

Director of Operations at Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), Sean Bone-Knell said: ‘By getting behind this crucial initiative, we hope will help reduce instances of domestic violence, where women are the victims.

‘However, we don’t condone violence of any nature. Here at KFRS we are encouraging as many of our male colleagues as possible to consider becoming a White Ribbon Ambassador to help spread this important message.’

 

 

Protecting and serving the people of Kent