Push for more elderly victims of domestic abuse to come forward as figures reveal it accounted for one in five crimes during lockdown

Older victims of domestic abuse are being urged to come forward as part of a police force’s campaign to stamp out the crime, as sobering figures revealed the extent of the problem during lockdown.
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West Yorkshire Police launched a campaign today, marking the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women, encouraging older people to report abuse.

As well as physical violence, people subjected to controlling behaviour, psychological and financial abuse, intimidation and sexual coercion are all urged to come forwards.

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In the 12 months up to September 2020 there were 2,189 domestic incidents in West Yorkshire involving a victim over the age of 65, accounting for eight per cent.

Elderly victims of domestic abuse are being urged to come forwardElderly victims of domestic abuse are being urged to come forward
Elderly victims of domestic abuse are being urged to come forward

The most common relationship in abuse reports from over-65s was from sons.

It comes as the Office of National Statistics (ONS) released data yesterday revealing that one in five offences reported during the first lockdown were domestic abuse-related – a rise of seven per cent from the same period last year.

Chief Superintendent Joanne Morgan, Head of Safeguarding at West Yorkshire Police, said: “Anyone can be a victim or offender of domestic abuse – regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

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“Older people can be a victim from their child, grandchild, partner, husband or wife.”

One in five incidents reported to police during the first UK lockdown involved domestic violence, startling figures have revealedOne in five incidents reported to police during the first UK lockdown involved domestic violence, startling figures have revealed
One in five incidents reported to police during the first UK lockdown involved domestic violence, startling figures have revealed

In a Police and Crime Panel meeting held yesterday, Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner Keith Hunter described domestic abuse as "the single biggest issue" currently facing the force.

Hundred of thousands of pounds in grants were secured for Yorkshire's four different police forces from the Home Office last week to deal with the issue during the second lockdown.

Chief Supt Morgan added: “The misconception is that domestic abuse has to be physical. This simply isn’t the case, there are people living with all kinds of abusive behaviour from controlling behaviour to financial abuse.

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‘We know that there’s challenges around victims being reluctant to report members of their family to the Police.

"We have dedicated multi-agency safeguarding specialists across all our districts whose primary objective is protecting people from harm and keeping them safe. If you do not want to speak to police, there are other agencies who can offer you support.

“Our number one priority in all cases of abuse is protecting the victim and any other people that could be vulnerable to abuse and taking steps to keep them safe.”