The week beginning 27th November 2017 is the States of Jersey Police's Campaign Week against Domestic Abuse.

Called #SittingRightWithYou, the campaign aims to highlight the prevalence of domestic abuse within our community, raise awareness and to reach those affected across all our cultural groups.

The campaign is designed to encourage everyone in Jersey to speak up about domestic abuse. It’s been developed by the States of Jersey Police and partner agencies to raise awareness of the different types of domestic abuse and to inform victims, their friends and family about the support available in Jersey.

The campaign uses a yellow sofa in its imagery and asks the question ‘Does that sit right with you?’ It encourages you to think about what makes a healthy relationship using messages such as:

‘he checks my phone all the time’,
‘she has control over my bank accounts’, and 
‘I can go out with friends when he says it’s ok’

Volunteers will be at M&S, King Street from Monday 27 November to Friday 1 December from 11:30am to 2:30pm to give you information about the services available in Jersey.

The campaign coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on Saturday 25 November.

Domestic abuse is a crime in which the abuser seeks power and control over their victim and can affect women, men and children. When you think of abuse, you may imagine a kick or a punch, but often it’s more complicated than that. Violence, control, intimidation and isolation are all types of abuse.

Domestic abuse affects hundreds of people every year across the Channel Islands and States of Jersey Police responded to nearly 1,000 domestic violence incidents in 2016. It can affect anybody, regardless of gender, age, race, sexuality or social background. It’s not acceptable in any circumstance.

Currently officers from the States of Jersey Police attend an average of three domestic abuse incidents every single day of the year, equating to around 12% of all the islands recorded crime. Figures show that although domestic incidents have decreased by 8%, high risk domestics have risen by 11%.

Detective Inspector Craig Jackson, who is leading the domestic abuse campaign, said: “Domestic Abuse is a major crime in Jersey and we as a community need to work together to ensure no one is suffering, unable to get help.

“This week is about getting into the communities, talking to people and letting them know who can help and how."

Independent charity Crimestoppers are also supporting this campaign and offer anonymous reporting 

A number of agencies have joined us in this campaign and their details are below. 

Prison! Me! No Way !!! Jersey raises awareness amongst local young people about causes,consequences and penalties of crime, using a non-threatening and non-lecturing style of education.
Tel: 01534 612342 visit www.pmnwjersey.com

Crimestoppers in Jersey are dedicated to fighting crime across the island guaranteeing anonymity, they ensure that nobody ever finds out who passed on the information. 
Tel: 0800 555 111 visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org/jersey 

The Jersey Women’s Refuge provides a safe place for women and 
children to go who are victims of domestic abuse. 
Tel: 0800 7356836 visit www.jerseywomensrefuge.org    

Dewberry House provide a comprehensive and co-ordinated forensic, counselling and aftercare service to men, women and children living in Jersey who have experienced rape or sexual assault, whether this has happened recently or in the past. Tel: 01534 888222 visit www.dewberryhouse.je

  

The Jersey Youth Service provide a wide range of personal and social development opportunities for young people aged 12 to 18 in Jersey.
Tel: 01534 280500 www.gov.je/youth

JAAR provide and maintain a supporting framework for survivors of rape and sexual assault and their families that includes a dedicated helpline, website, on site counselling and access to highly qualified and specially trained counselors and psychotherapists. Tel: 01534 482800 visit www.jaar.je

JDAS support those individuals age 16 or over, who are or have been intimate partners or family members experiencing domesic abuse, regardless of gender or sexuality. Tel: 01534 880505 visit www.jdas.je