CPS South Yorkshire Campaign Warns Abusers 'It's Criminal'

16/03/2006

CPS South Yorkshire has linked up with voluntary organisations working on behalf of victims of domestic violence and child abuse in a campaign to highlight the problem of violence against women and children and to warn offenders of the charges they face i

With the theme violence against women is a crime a series of posters, carrying the strapline Its Criminal, will be displayed in doctors surgeries, hospitals, community centres, housing offices, police stations and courts across South Yorkshire. 

The posters deal with nine categories of crime which can affect women and children: domestic violence, sexual assaults, forced marriage, honour crimes, child abuse, human trafficking, elder abuse, prostitution and female genital mutilation.  They include contact details and helplines for voluntary organisations who provide advice and support to victims. 

Beer mats with the same messages and contact details will be distributed to pubs and bars.  The posters and beer mats are being distributed to coincide with the Home Office led Domestic Violence Month of Action.

Chief Crown Prosecutor, Judith Walker said: Violent behaviour towards women and children, in whatever form it takes, is criminal. These crimes have a devastating effect on the victims and their families too. We take them seriously and we prosecute.  We bring successful prosecutions in courts across England and Wales every day of the week, not just for physical assaults but for other abuse such as prostitution, forced marriage, human trafficking.                 

 Our message to victims is dont suffer in silence. Not only will we bring offenders to court where there is evidence to do so, but we work closely with the police, courts and voluntary sector to make sure that support and special arrangements are put in place to help vulnerable and intimidated victims during the prosecution process.

-Ends-

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Media enquiries and interview bids to Clare Cocken, Communications Officer, CPS South Yorkshire on 0114 229 8600.

2. The poster campaign includes nine posters covering offences under the following headings: domestic violence, rape and sexual assaults, forced marriage, honour crimes, child abuse, elder abuse, human trafficking, prostitution and female genital mutilation.

3. The CPS has linked up with the following voluntary organisations, whose contact details appear on the posters and beer mats:  Womens Aid, Refuge, Childline, Action on Elder Abuse, Eaves for Women, Rape Crisis, Broken Rainbow.