Littlehampton school casts a light on abuse victims

THESE Littlehampton students were doing their bit to shine a light on domestic abuse, on Monday (November 25).
About 549 students from years-seven and eight formed the white ribbon   L48771H13About 549 students from years-seven and eight formed the white ribbon   L48771H13
About 549 students from years-seven and eight formed the white ribbon L48771H13

Hundreds of children from The Littlehampton Academy formed a human ribbon outside the school’s main entrance, as part of Sussex Police’s White Ribbon campaign, which launched this week.

The scheme, which is being run across the county, aims to highlight domestic abuse and show exactly what the police and other partner agencies can do to support victims of violence, who often remain in the shadows, too fearful to speak out.

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During an assembly on the day, sergeant Roy Hodder, of Arun Neighbourhood Policing Team, along with academy’s chaplain, Paul Sanderson, spoke about how domestic abuse can affect not only adults, but children, too.

Sgt Hodder said: “Bullying and abuse can leave young people in a very dark place. And where there are dark places there’s always light and we at Sussex Police are here with the antisocial behaviour team at the local authority discussing how we can be a light source to go to help discuss issues.

“We know that one in four young people, aged between 13 and 17, are subjected to domestic abuse and that on average 40 calls of domestic abuse are received by Sussex Police each day.

History has told us that young people are subjected to domestic abuse. They see it in the home and in their friends and actually if we can open their eyes with some awareness and some information and guidance it will prevent them from being subjected to domestic abuse or being perpetrators of domestic abuse in later life.”

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In 2012, Sussex Police recorded 6,376 crimes of domestic abuse, with the reporting trend on the increase with more and more victims feeling confident to speak out about their abuse.

Martin Richards, Chief Constable of Sussex, said: “Domestic abuse can take many forms – not just physical harm, but intimidation through controlling behaviour, harassment and threats. It is sometimes difficult for people to recognise that the way their partner is behaving towards them is actual abuse and is not acceptable.”

For advice and support about domestic abuse, see www.sussex.police.uk or call 101 or 01273 470101.

Alternatively, call the 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk

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