WELCOME back to Safe and Sound, Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership’s monthly column for September.

This month I would like to raise awareness of a very serious issue, often referred to as ‘the hidden crime’. Can you imagine living in constant fear in your own home? Afraid of what might happen when your partner walks through the door? For many people, this is the day to day reality they have to live with.

Domestic abuse is a serious and complex issue. Abuse may be physical, psychological, sexual, financial or emotional. It is a crime that remains largely hidden behind closed doors, leaving its victims feeling trapped, powerless and isolated – afraid to say anything in case it makes a bad situation worse.

However, abuse is rarely a one-off event. For example, on average a victim will endure 30 – 35 assaults before seeking help. The level of abuse is likely to increase over time and could even result in murder.

Let’s take action! The Worcestershire Forum against Domestic Abuse will be supporting an international campaign - The 16 Days of Action - in November.

Set up in the USA in 1991, the aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of violence against women and lobby governments throughout the world to take action. Over 2,000 organisations in more than 150 countries have participated in the campaign since it was launched.

Commencing on Wednesday, November 25 - International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and finishing on Thursday, December 10 - International Human Rights Day, the theme for this year’s event is ‘Commit, Act, Demand: we can end violence against women’.

Planning for a host of Worcestershire events is already under way and ideas include a midnight walk at various locations throughout the county, as well as organising street theatre productions to highlight messages surrounding the campaign.

For further information about the campaign and Worcestershire’s support, please contact Ros Walker, Domestic Abuse Co-ordinator on 01905 752847.

HELEN DYKE Chairman Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership