New website for Coventry domestic abuse victims

[dutchman]

The council in Coventry is today launching a new website to try to reach out to people living with domestic violence here.



http://www.safetotalk.org.uk will be launched at noon.

Tackling domestic abuse has been identified as the top priority by community leaders in the city.

Nationally, two women die at the hands of their partners every week and it kills more women between the ages of 19 and 44 than cancer and car accidents.

In Coventry, there has been a significant reduction in reports of abuse since a big campaign “Not in My City” was launched 18 months ago, but domestic violence makes up 31% of all violence happening in the city.

The new website will be advertised across Coventry, it aims to:

Raise the issue and make it more high profile.
Create a single place for people to get advice.
Explain what abuse is and challenge some of the myths and assumptions.
Give people the chance to question whether they are victims.
Show people it is possible to get out of an abusive relationship.
Encourage victims, the abusers and children to get help.
Make sure people know what options are out there for them.

Cllr Phil Townshend, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Equalities said, “This new website is a welcome development for the city and brings together, in one easily accessible place, information on all the support services that are already in the city to help both victims and perpetrators of domestic violence and abuse, as well as national services.”

Amanda Carr, Coventry City Council’s Assistant Director for Adult Social Care and Chair of the Domestic Violence and abuse executive Partnership said:

“The creation of this website is a collaborative venture and we hope that with feedback from people using the site it will grow and improve further. The website will be a valuable first step in reaching out to victims, friends and relatives of someone who may be a victim to give help and information.”