Police force sparks anger with 'clumsy' social media post on domestic abuse
A police force in England is under fire for social media posts that appeared to support domestic abuse victims staying with their partners.
Essex Police is running the campaign to help people aged 55 and over in partnership with Southend, Essex and Thurrock Domestic Abuse Board.
But a Facebook post has sparked anger after saying that its subject Sheila “knew that the abuse in her relationship was wrong” but added she would never leave.
Instead, Shelia had been given support that helped her stay with her husband “safely”.
Essex Police apologised for the post, describing it as “clumsy”.
“Our message in this campaign isn’t ‘stay in any relationship no matter how abusive’,” it said in a statement.
The original post inspired a flurry of posts from people expressing their shock, with one Twitter user stating, “there’s no such thing as staying safe in an abusive relationship”.
Another user, who claimed to have experienced domestic violence, said they were “still waiting to hear which forms of violence the Essex Police feel are “less harmful’”.
Dick Madden, chair of the Southend, Essex and Thurrock Domestic Abuse Board, reportedly said the campaign had been developed with domestic abuse specialists, refuges, partners and survivors of abuse.
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The BBC quoted him as saying: “The message is clear: domestic abuse is never acceptable”.
“Within the comments on this particular post, there were a number of supportive comments – some from survivors who sought support and have stayed within their relationship,” Mr Madden said.
“We think it is positive that the campaign has sparked a debate on a very important issue.”
“Our message in this campaign isn’t ‘stay in any relationship no matter how abusive’, it’s ‘if something is happening in your relationship even if you’ve been with someone for decades there is help you can get'.”
If you or someone you know is suffering from sexual or domestic abuse, don't suffer in silence, call 1800 RESPECT any time of day or night.
