South Yorkshire Police launch dedicated website for domestic abuse victims

Victims of domestic abuse in South Yorkshire are now able to report incidents online as well as over the phone thanks to a new online portal created by South Yorkshire Police.
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The website is targeted at victims who may be finding it difficult to report incidents over the phone and comes in response to concerns that domestic abuse may be on the increase during the coronavirus crisis.

The online reporting tool can be accessed at www.reportingcrime.uk/SYPDA and is also available via the Covid-19 page on the South Yorkshire Police website.

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A leaflet which contains important information about agencies that can provide support during the pandemic is also available.

Superintendent Shelley Hemsley, force lead for domestic abuse, said: “We understand that the current pandemic is a time of worry and anxiety for many, but especially for victims of domestic abuse who may be spending more time in their homes with their abuser.

“We also appreciate that in these circumstances, seeking help or telling someone what’s happening over the phone may be incredibly difficult to do and you might have concerns that you could be overheard, or prevented from making a call for help.

“It is in response to these concerns that we’ve created a dedicated online reporting tool for victims of domestic abuse in South Yorkshire. You can quickly access the portal via your smartphone, tablet or laptop, and give us information about what’s happening to you.

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“Please be reassured that this information doesn’t end up in a digital inbox somewhere that nobody is looking at – we will have staff working 24/7 to monitor those reports and I want to stress that we will respond to that report in the same way as though you had reported it over the phone via 101. We will risk assess the information you have provided and you will receive an appropriate response based on what we know.

STOCK: Domestic violence illustration.STOCK: Domestic violence illustration.
STOCK: Domestic violence illustration.

“I would, however, urge anyone in an emergency situation to please still call 999 and make use of the silent solution – press ‘55’ so our operators can listen to what is happening in the background and make a risk assessment so that the right response is sent to you.”

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