PSNI Win Award For Safeguarding Victims Of Domestic Abuse

The PSNI has been been awarded the Platinum award at the Onus 12th Annual Awards Ceremony of the Workplace Charter on Domestic Violence.

The Police Service has been involved with the ONUS Workplace Charter since its launch in 2010 and has been an ONUS Safe Place partner since 2014.

The PSNI have won the ONUS platinum award in the Workplace Charter in Domestic Violence for the last eight consecutive years.

Some of the initiatives the Police Service has been recognised for are:

• Implementing 'Safe Place' training for officers in Neighbourhood Policing Teams and Crime Prevention Officers throughout the province.

• Embedding Domestic Abuse specialists into policing teams to support training, awareness and best practice.

• Launching, with the Department of Justice, the new ASSIST NI advocacy service which provides invaluable support to victims of domestic and sexual crime.

Detective Chief Superintendent Anthony McNally of the Police Service's Public Protection Branch said: "We are delighted to have received this award for now the 8th year running. This highlights and recognises our continued commitment to working with partners, such as ONUS, to ensure those suffering or fearing they may suffer from Domestic Abuse have access to support services to protect them.

"We will continue to strive to deliver the Safe Place message to businesses and organisations throughout our local communities and urge them to sign up to the pledge never to commit, condone or stay silent about domestic abuse.

"We would like to encourage other organisations to join the ONUS Safe Place initiative and help build this support network as it is through working together that we can stop domestic abuse in all its forms."

Please come forward and report to Police if you are suffering domestic abuse or any other type of abuse, intimidation or violence. All reports will be taken seriously, followed by transparent and professional investigations.

• If you have any reason to think someone is in immediate danger, or your life may be at risk, call 999.

• If you're experiencing domestic abuse or any other type of abuse or intimidation, or are concerned for someone who is, report it to us by calling 101.

• Calling 999 for help, but too afraid to speak? Dial 55 on your mobile phone when calling in an emergency and the operator will know that you need to be put through to police.

Anyone suffering in an abusive relationship can also access support by calling the Freephone 24hr Domestic and Sexual Violence Helpline on 0808 802 1414. Open to all women and men affected by domestic and sexual violence.

The onus is on all of us and to find out how you can play your part through the various Pathways for Participation please visit www.onustraining.co.uk for further information or contact Onus on 028 2568 9450.