Valentine’s Day: Just Another Day of Domestic Abuse in Wales
On Valentine’s Day last year, 1548 women and children were supported by local domestic abuse services in Wales, an increase of 20% in the number of women and 14% in children and young people compared with the previous year.
Around 50,000 women in Wales experience domestic abuse each year from a current or former partner. In 2014 150 women were killed through suspected male violence in the UK. Last year alone Welsh Women’s Aid All-Wales Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Helpline supported 27,972 callers and Welsh Women’s Aid’s member services supported 9,337 women in local domestic abuse services, with 2,263 women entering refuges for early help and support.
To help illustrate the scale of the problem of domestic abuse in Wales and the ways that our member services are helping survivors, Welsh Women’s Aid collects a one-day snapshot of domestic abuse in Wales on February 14th each year.
Because of this increase, it is very likely that even more women and children will be the victims of domestic abuse and will reach out to us for help again this Valentine’s Day.
Eleri Butler, CEO of Welsh Women’s Aid said:
“For many women this year Valentine’s Day will be the same as any other day, living in fear of a violent and controlling partner or ex-partner. Abusive relationships may begin with gifts, flowers and romance but then deteriorate into emotional abuse, threats, controlling and violent behaviour, which may increase in severity over time.”
“For 1548 women and children using local services in Wales, this was the reality of Valentine’s Day 2014.
“We are calling for action to prevent domestic abuse, sexual violence and all forms of violence against women in Wales. We need to challenge the attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate it so that future generations of women, children and young people grow up in safe, equal, violence-free relationships.”
“Two women each week are killed at the hands of current or former male partners. Specialist services, like refuges and helplines, offer a lifeline for women and children. Whether it’s Valentine’s Day or any other day of the year, the Wales Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Helpline can be contacted on 0808 80 10 800, day or night, by anyone who needs help or support because of domestic abuse or sexual violence.” ”