Every year more than one million women suffer abuse. One in four report it to the police. In the North East the picture is no better. Domestic violence accounts for 25 per cent of all violent crime in the Northumbria Police force area. It costs public services an estimated £33 million to deal with – but the human cost is even more devastating.
Victims are subjected to terrible crimes including verbal and physical assaults, sexual violence, rape, financial abuse and psychological trauma. This of course puts them in grave danger, and the effects can stay with them for years, sometimes even life – destroying their confidence, trust and self-esteem.
