Safer Rochdale prepares for Domestic Abuse Strategy Launch

Reporters, photographers and film crews are invited to Rochdale Safer Communities Partnership’s Domestic Abuse Strategy Launch. 

Date: 2 April 2014

Location: Number One Riverside, Reception Area 

Time: 3.00pm - 4.00pm

After working together with both victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse and violence, Rochdale Safer Communities Partnership is launching its new three year strategy to tackle the issue.

The leader of Rochdale Borough Council will be available for interview, along with Former Happy Mondays’ vocalist Rowetta, a former victim and advocate for speaking out against domestic abuse. Also available will be Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester Police’s Crime Commissioner and Alistair Mallen, Superintendent at Rochdale Division.

Photographs will also be available upon request following the event.

Please confirm your attendance/ request photographs to Tom Coates, Communications Officer at Rochdale Borough Council on 01706 6924804 or by email to tom.coates@rochdale.gov.uk

At the event the Partnership will showcase the strategy’s mission to protect victims and their families, as well as tackling and preventing the crimes and bringing perpetrators to justice. It will include unveiling new campaign artwork and a powerful online advert. The event will end with a questions and answers session.

Council Leader, Colin Lambert at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “By producing this strategy, Rochdale’s Safer Communities Partnership aims to send out a clear message that all forms of domestic abuse will not be tolerated and we will work together to do all that we can to raise awareness, prevent abuse, protect and support victims and challenge perpetrators.”

Superintendent Alistair Mallen at Greater Manchester Police’s Rochdale Division, added : “Domestic violence and abuse has a devastating effect on victims and their children, their families and wider communities. Domestic violence and abuse can result not only in loss of dignity or self-esteem, but at its worst, loss of life.

“Across Rochdale borough local agencies have a vital part to play in supporting victims and bringing perpetrators to account. Many of these agencies are already undertaking significant and valuable work to promote safety and provide effective interventions, but, there is always still much more for us to do.

“This strategy provides us with insight into victim and perpetrator behaviours and experiences; their input into the strategy’s development has been crucial in providing us with a deeper level of understanding beyond the statistics so we can tackle these issues more effectively and build more responsive services. Domestic abuse has no place in our society we must continue to fight it using all the powers available to us.”

The Partnership is supporting the Greater Manchester-wide End the Fear campaign. Victims or concerned family members or friends are being urged by a new poster and online advert campaign to seek support and advice by calling the domestic abuse helpline on 0161 636 7525 or online at www.endthefear.co.uk