Plymouth the Facts
Plymouth has a high prevalence of domestic abuse, and the number of reported incidents show an increasing trend over the past five years.
Domestic abuse accounts for approximately 27% of all violent crime in the city compared to a national figure of 16%.
There were 6,933 domestic abuse crimes and incidents reported to the police in 2020/21, an increase of 21% on the previous year.
We want Plymouth to be free from violence and to be a place where everybody takes an active role in making it the safest city in the country
In response to the abduction and murder of Bobbi-Anne McLeod in November 2021, Plymouth convened a Violence Against Women and Girls Commission.
The Commission used the Home Office definition as the basis for their inquiry and focused specifically on violence committed by men against women and girls. The Commission took the decision to widen the crimes and behaviour covered by the term VAWG to also include drink spiking, misogyny, sexism, and pornography.
An estimated 132,300 women and girls live in Plymouth, with 107,600 being over 16. Based on the ONS estimate of 1 in 3 women likely to have been subjected to at least one form of harassment in the last year that’s around 36,000 women!
Plymouth are saying ENOUGH is ENOUGH. We are pioneering the way in ending violence against women and girls and you can be part of it!
How you can help
Call it Out!
Call out the abuser, tell them it’s not OK, it’s not funny or you could be more direct and tell them to stop.
Report it
If you are concerned about someone being abused or abusing someone else, then report it. Whether that is to your superior at work or school or someone in charge at a venue or public place, find someone in charge.
If you’ve experienced or witnessed abuse, you have every right to report it, and if you or anyone else is in immediate danger, please call 999.
Get Support
Domestic violence can happen against anyone, and anybody can be an abuser.
Any form of domestic abuse is not acceptable in any situation. If you’re experiencing domestic abuse and feel frightened of, or controlled by, a partner, an ex-partner, or family member, it’s important to remember that it’s not your fault and there is no shame in seeking help.
Domestic abuse is very common and is experienced by women in the vast majority of cases and is perpetrated by men. The impact of domestic abuse can be mental, emotional, physical, social, and financial on the individual survivor and her family and children.
It can include, but is not limited to, the following:
Where to get help locally
Support Plymouth Domestic Abuse Service (PDAS) and refuge
If you need support and protection from abuse call the Plymouth Domestic Abuse Service on 01752 252033 or the Plymouth refuge on 01752 562286.
Trevi
Trevi is a local charity offering a range of support for women. The Sunflower Centre offers a safe space for women to receive support and connect with other women. It offers a wraparound therapeutic service for any woman in need in the City. This could include: addictions, mental wellbeing, health, criminogenic behaviours, domestic abuse and social isolation. Every year, Sunflower supports and empowers more than 700 local women, many with complex needs and experience of trauma and abuse.
Should you, or someone you know, need help and support please contact:
Sunflower Women’s Centre | telephone: 01752 977614
email: office@trevi.org.uk
There are several national charities that provide support for survivors of domestic abuse. Here are some of them:
Offers specialist services, including temporary accommodation and community outreach, as well as a free 24-hour national domestic abuse helpline.
A national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children.
Provides free confidential support 24/7 for those affected by domestic abuse and violence, and has independent domestic violence advocates who can help survivors through the criminal justice system.
Supporting a survivor
Supporting a survivor can be as simple as listening and believing them. Don’t judge her or ask her why she hasn’t left, instead, focus on her strengths and build her confidence. Remind her that you are here for her and won’t judge her choices.
You can also encourage her to contact us for confidential support about her rights and options.
Help for abusers
Ahimsa
Ahimsa is a local domestic violence programme for those who are violent and/or abusive towards a partner or ex-partner, you can call on 01752 213535.
Respect phoneline
Respect phoneline is a confidential and anonymous helpline offering advice, information and support for anyone concerned about their violence and/or abuse towards a partner or ex-partner, you can call on 0808 8024040.
I am a man how can I help?
M.A.N:Culture Plymouth is a group of men living and working in the city who have started an organisation to begin the conversations with men and boys in the city about violence against women and girls, to facilitate the difficult conversations needed to address male culture and to support the safety of women and girls in the city.
We are growing a Male Allyship Network who will provide the space to have honest conversations about masculinity and male violence. We believe violence against women and girls is a male problem and needs the male population to be part of the solution. If you want to know more about what we are doing and how to get involved, then email us at info@manculture.co.uk
Get Involved
You can get involved and make a difference with these easy steps.
16 days campaign November 25 – December 10
Spread Awareness
Share our social messages on and offline. Make your voice count in ensuring and end to violence against women and girls.
Join our Thunderclap – on Monday 27 November at 12 noon. Join us in socially amplifing our message ENOUGH is ENOUGH. Post our key message at this time and stand with us. Talk to each other.
Donate
Trevi is focused on supporting women affected by domestic abuse and violence. Donate to help us continue our work and continue to reach more women and children in our City.
Together, we say enough is enough. Let’s end violence against women and girls now. No excuses. Plymouth can make a difference.
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Our e-newsletter goes out approx. every 2 months
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Our e-newsletter goes out approx. every 2 months
t: 01752 255 758
e: office@trevi.org.uk
