Why call the police?

• They will protect you from any immediate danger, and help get you and your children out of the house safely.


• They can arrest the abuser without warrant if the officer has good reason to suspect that an assault has taken place, is taking place, or that the abuser has violated a restraining order or injunction against him/her.


• They can help you start the process of living a life free from domestic violence and abuse, and the fear of domestic violence or abuse.


• They can put you in touch with specialist agencies to help you rebuild your life, and give you the help and support you deserve.


• They can start prosecution proceedings against your abuser.

The police should normally take positive action at the scene of a domestic violence incident. Don't think 'I don't want to bother the police, it's only a domestic'. The police view domestic violence very seriously. They are there for your protection.

Violence by one person against another is a criminal offence. Other forms of domestic violence, sexual, emotional, financial and psychological may also constitute a criminal act, and if so will be dealt with by the police accordingly.

Police officers attending a domestic incident must write out a police domestic incident report, which is an account of what happened to you, the circumstances and background of the incident and who was involved.

This will be forwarded to the Child and Domestic Abuse Investigation Units (CDAIU) and possibly other partnership agencies that specialise in caring for victims of domestic violence or abuse such as the Domestic Violence Advocacy Project. The Domestic Violence Advocacy Project is a Cambridgeshire Children's Fund and Cambridgeshire District Crime and Disorder Partnership funded crisis support project for victims of domestic abuse, which currently operates in the central and southern Constabulary divisions.

Depending on the nature of the case a specialist Domestic Violence Officer (DVO) may contact or visit you after receiving the report, or during the period the alleged abuser is in custody.

The DVO or an Advocacy Worker will be able to advise you on all matters concerning your welfare and the welfare of your children.

When the police arrive, try and be as specific as possible about the sort of injuries you have sustained. Tell the officer 'he kicked me in the stomach, he punched me in the ribs, he kicked me on the shin', etc.

Explain and describe your injuries to the officer, don't feel ashamed or embarrassed, you are a victim of a violent crime, you are not to blame for your injuries.

Often the officer will have a Polaroid camera and will take photographs, these will be used as evidence later along with medical reports from your doctor or hospital, statements taken, (including one from the officer detailing visible injuries at the time), and possibly of clothing or objects ripped or damaged in the attack.

Further photographs may be taken at a later date in instances where bruising is not visible at the time of the offence etc. These will be taken by a specially trained officer. This evidence is vital to supporting your version of events.

When officers speak to you they should do so out of eye and earshot of the abuser.