The week started with the announcement of our newest Board and #SAFE member, an ex Police Sarg who brings with her a wealth of knowledge especially in the fields of child abuse, domestic violence and harassment. For now her identity must remain protected but on behalf of the OneVoice Never Silenced Board I would like to publicly welcome her and I hope you will too. She is on Twitter and Facebook and watching closely so will see any messages so please drop by and say hi - @OneVoiceEve. It has now been two weeks since Twitter suspended by @evethomas40 account. I received an email on 19th March from Flynn Jackson, I replied immediately but have heard nothing since despite pointing out that I have victims literally frozen in that account and that last summer DM on that Twitter account was the ONLY form of communication between the UK and a child taken to Pakistan against her will. Every day I maintained this contact and collected evidence for the Child Protection Officer until her safe return to the UK some 7 weeks later. I personally think that Twitter are extremely ignorant and rude and yes I understand they are busy but victims are human beings, come on Twitter where is the common sense? Many silent victims have used both Twitter and Facebook to reach out for help - I hope Twitter are ashamed. Now I want to say that I am a BIG supporter of our Police, we would be lost without them and in every barrel you will find good and bad apples - there are many good apples, many true professionals and not only in the Police force. This week has been an incredible journey. Wednesday morning my phone didn't stop ringing as the embargoed HMIC report on domestic abuse was received by the media. You will all have probably read it by now or seen people and organisations tweeting about it, yes it is very damning for our Police but if you look at the bigger picture how can we really blame the Police...... Yes cultures and attitudes absolutely stink at times and only recently we have heard of a victim being called some horrific names by Police Officers. Rachel Horman tweeted a few weeks ago about how sickening it was to sit with her client, a victim of domestic violence and rape as they listened to the Police interview as the alleged perp was questioned - was it professional - NO - the Officers were laughing and joking with the alleged rapist throughout - can you even imagine how she felt? First she has to endure violence and rape, her body no longer her own and then listen as the very "professionals" who should be protecting her laugh and joke throughout the interview. Rachel has launched a complaint with the force in question and I am positive that she has ensured the victim is supported and cocooned. I am approached frequently by victims who have been let down by the Police and every time I make that call of enquiry my stomach still churns as I wonder who I will get on the other end of the phone - will the Officer or control room operator really understand. It isn't just the Police it seems that many "professionals" who come into contact with victims of domestic violence and sexual crimes haven't a clue what empathy and understanding is. In my opinion the blame doesn't lie entirely with the Police - how can they do their job if they are not provided with the tools, the resources and the education? Officers work within the confines of the law with targets to meet and I know from speaking to many Officers that they too are frustrated as they find their hands tied time and time again. Morale is low, resources are practically non existent and they are constantly fighting a battle to do the best they can with what they have. I want to help and so yesterday I launched the next phase of the campaign and wrote to all Police and Crime Commissioners offering a victims education and #SAFE for free. Dear Police & Crime Commissioner Yesterday saw the release of the HMIC report for domestic abuse and I think we can all agree that it was pretty damning. I watched in amazement as the Police were attacked in the media and on social media and was busily shaking my head as the blame was laid at your feet again and again. There is a much bigger picture and I strongly believe that the Police are victims too. Under Article 2 of ECHR the Police have a positive obligation to protect human life, how can they do that when the tools, resources and education are not there? How can the Police protect and make SAFE victims of domestic violence and abuse if they don't have the tools and resources? How can the Police get rid of the culture that is sadly evident in dealings with victims of violence and abuse? How can the Police work better when dealing with victims? It goes without saying that The Protection Of Victims Act 2014 - Eve's Law and the red flag marker scheme will give the Police some of these tools, if primary legislation is in place then the Police can exercise and utilise. Domestic violence is grossly under reported, there are many silent victims out there and yet we hear of 2 women murdered every week, a figure that has not changed in over 30 years, something needs to be done and that needs to be sooner rather than later. I am offering every Police force a victims education and SAFE FREE of charge. I am willing to travel to any location and offer my knowledge, research and resources to assist in the fight on domestic violence and abuse. I strongly believe that we can change the statistics of 30 years but this needs to be done with team work. I hope you will take me up on my offer - its FREE. PCC for South Yorkshire Shaun Wright and his Deputy Tracey Cheetham have already asked me to attend and speak at their Vulnerability Conference, I am here, I want to help - lets do this, we CAN do this. I hope to hear from you soon. Eve x Every Friday I will publish a transparent report which will be a document for public viewing posted on the Police Campaign web page. Matt O'Donoghue from ITV who has been following the campaign for The Protection Of Victims Act 2014 will be keeping a close eye on the reports as the fight continues to really put victims first. With team work and utilising resources we can change the cultures that sadly exist and improve practises and policies so every victim is SAFE and protected. My resources, my work, my research and investigations are for sharing so "lessons learnt" are really "lessons learnt." If you would like to get involved with #SAFE or indeed feel that your organisation could also benefit please email: SAFE@evethomas.co.uk VICTIMS 1st #VictimsEducation #SAFE Eve x |
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