Last week marked the start of sixteen days of action by the United Nations to end Gender-Based Violence. At the Forest of Dean District Council, we’re putting our full support behind the campaign.

Did you know that last year, a woman or a girl was killed intentionally by partners or family members every ten minutes? Sixty per cent of intentional killings take place in the home. Precisely where they should feel most safe, women and girls are least protected. The UN reports that 1 in 3 women suffer from physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner, or family member within their lifetimes. And it happens here too. In the UK it's 1 in 4.

Those numbers are truly staggering and lay bare the crisis of gender-based domestic violence. There is no excuse. It must end now.

Domestic abuse can be any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse, whether sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological. It can involve name-calling, bullying or humiliation. And it doesn’t just involve physical violence to women. In the UK, 1 in 6 men will also experience domestic abuse.

Domestic violence casts a long shadow. Adults are often the focus while children who witness domestic abuse are silent victims, enduring both immediate and long-term effects which extend into adulthood. From anxiety and PTSD to depression and chronic health issues, the trauma shapes their mental, emotional, social and physical well-being and often their capacity to engage in education. Many exhibit regressive behaviours, struggle academically, or act out through risky activities. Tragically, some repeat abusive patterns as adults, while girls are more likely to experience abuse in future relationships. Since the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, children exposed to domestic abuse are now recognised as victims in their own right, rather than just witnesses. It’s an important step. But having to introduce this bill in the first place shows just how far we have to go as a society.

At the Council, we’ve been working closely with the Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS) to offer training to college students and those working in the hair and beauty industry. These are often the people who can first spot the signs of domestic abuse and offer support to those in need. The Cut It Out campaign was launched last year and was well attended and received, with students learning skills that will quite literally save lives. It is running online this year on the 12th December and is open for anyone who wishes to attend. Find out more by contacting GDASS (see below) if you’d like to sign up.

We’re also working with partners such as Gloucestershire Police, representatives from Safer Estates and the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Forum as part of the Community Safety Partnership. This group works to reduce crime, the fear of crime, and anti-social behaviour within the Forest of Dean. It lays particular emphasis on reducing the number of domestic abuse cases, including violence and intimidation against women and girls, coercive control, stalking and child to parent abuse.

Domestic abuse devastates lives wherever it takes place, but research shows that it is even more damaging when it happens in the countryside, as a variety of factors unique to rural life make it even harder for the victim to escape their abuser, or to cope with living with the abuse. In particular, rural victims are half as likely as urban victims to ever report the abuse or seek help: this makes it vital that services coming into contact with rural communities are able to spot the subtle signs of domestic abuse, ask the right questions and respond safely and appropriately to disclosures.

The Council is fortunate to have a dedicated Domestic Abuse Champion. Councillor Di Martin, Chair of the Forest of Dean Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Group, works across the various teams to help coordinate the support that we can provide and to publicise the subject of domestic abuse and promote the help that is available.

I’m proud of the initiatives we’ve introduced and the work that we have done so far at the Council, but we all understand there is a long way to go. Let’s be clear, domestic abuse has no place in our society, and it must stop. If you’re experiencing domestic abuse, or you know of someone who is, it’s essential to speak to those who can help as quickly as possible. Do not suffer in silence.

Contact GDASS on 01452 726 570 or email [email protected] for assistance or visit the dedicated Domestic Abuse support pages on the Council’s website: https://www.fdean.gov.uk/communities-health-and-leisure/community-safety/domestic-abuse/

If you fear for the wellbeing of a child, please pick up the phone and call 999 or

Remember, you are not alone.