This is a message to all Watch members and Key Individuals from Harborough Police on behalf of colleagues in the Harborough District Community Safety Partnership.
A drop-in service has been set up to help men or women experiencing the psychological or physical effects of domestic abuse.

In the Harborough district, police have recorded more than 1,000 incidents of domestic abuse in the past year, and, traditionally, domestic abuse remains one of the most under-reported crimes of all.
The sessions allow people in an abusive relationship to talk through their options, in complete confidence, and make informed decisions about their future and how to seek help.

The next session is being held on Friday, June 4th, at a private meeting room in Harborough District Council’s reception, in Adam & Eve Street, from 10.30am to 12.30pm and then again on the first Friday of every month.

The Harborough District Domestic Abuse Forum, which includes members from Harborough District Council, Leicestershire Police, Women’s Aid Leicestershire Ltd and Voluntary Action South Leicestershire, has teamed up with solicitors Josiah Hincks to provide the service.
If successful, the forum would like to see the sessions develop to include housing and debt advice workers.

Jo Hamilton-Colclough, chair of the Harborough District Domestic Abuse Forum, said: “Domestic abuse incidents are still vastly under reported within the district. Part of the reason for this is that people do not know what rights they have with regard to injunctions, occupation orders and housing issues. The idea of these drop-in sessions is to help people understand what support is available and to give them the opportunity to ask questions of professionals to assist with their decision making.”

Ela Crighton, a solicitor with a specialism in Domestic Abuse work from Josiah Hincks Solicitors, said: “Domestic abuse is a highly emotive subject and people often find it difficult to know which way to turn.  By working together we hope that people will be empowered to make informed decisions about how to proceed with their lives.”

Domestic Abuse can take place take place in heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender relationships and can also involve other family members, including children.
There is no need to book, just turn up for the sessions.

For further information contact the Community Safety team at Harborough District Council on 01858 828282 or e-mail communitysafety@harborough.gov.uk    

Please pass this message onto as many people as you can – your help is appreciated.

Henry Whatley (7729)
Community Initiatives Coordinator
Harborough & Lutterworth Police