Domestic violence related arrests in Greater Manchester rose by over 50% in 2021

New data obtained by a Freedom of information Request has shown that there were 7324 arrests linked to domestic violence in 2021 as opposed to 4767 in 2020.

The data comes as there has been an increased campaign to stop violence against women after the killing of Sarah Everard.

It also follows the resignation of Cressida Dick from her position as chief of the metropolitan police in result of the uncovering of misogyny, racism and discrimination seemingly routed throughout the force, starting with Wayne Couzens who brutally raped and murdered Sarah Everard.

According to The Guardian, one 28-week period in 2021 saw 81 women killed in circumstances in which the suspect was a man.

One woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons told of her experience in a domestically abusive relationship.

She said: “For me, it started with him doing small things- he’d get overly mad at me for not buying the right things, manipulate me so eventually I was isolated from my friends and family.

“And when the physical violence started, he’d already beaten me so much mentally I didn’t care, I thought I deserved it.

“Plus, I had no one else left in my life and when I finally felt strong enough to leave, I had a son and daughter so I had to think about them and where could I go?”

The woman eventually left the relationship and found help.

Her daughter, who now has children of her own, said: “I remember seeing him hurt her and not knowing how to help.

“I knew it was wrong what he was doing to her, I saw how hurt she was and how sad she was and knew it was wrong, but I couldn’t help.

“She was my mum, I wanted to protect her, and I feel guilty every single day that I couldn’t.”

On her own relationships, she said: “It took me a while to realise how I deserved to be treated.

“My first few relationships, I let a lot of slip that I shouldn’t have- not on the same level as what happened to my mum, but I feel like because I’d seen something so horrible, it didn’t seem so bad in comparison.

“But in the end, my mum spoke to me and made me see I deserved better.”

The impacts on people who have fled domestic violence are enormous and can be with a person for life, which is why support charities are so important.

HomeStart Host is a charity that operates in and around Greater Manchester, working with families with a number of different issues, one of which is domestic violence.

Sarah Cook is the CEO and said about the recent rise: “I guess I’m not surprised, you know, 2021 was very difficult, particularly in lockdown.

“We have certainly seen an increase in pressures and reduced wellbeing in the families we support.

“There’s been increased poverty, there’s been increased anxiety and stresses, not only around COVID but employment, income, housing.

“And then the pressure of lockdown- literally being isolated with your household, so I’m not entirely surprised.”

She also said: “There’s been some data, I’m not sure exactly where from, but, that there was an increasing use of alcohol in lockdown as well, which again, maybe isn’t surprising.

“People just didn’t have that kind of outlet.”

She also mentioned the Euro’s football tournament, in which England lost in the final.

She said “Again, there is data somewhere about the increase of domestic violence when football is on, particularly when England are playing.

“There’s no doubt that will have contributed.”

She believes society should be wary of the coming world cup as the same trend will likely be witnessed.

This link comes partly from the alcohol consumption that tends to occur at football and watching football.

Alcohol alone is a proven contributor to domestic violence and mixed with when emotions get high at football it could manifest in violence at home.

During the 2018 world cup the National Centre for Domestic Violence ran a campaign involving posters with the phrase “if England get beaten so does she.”

However, while statistically, women are more likely to be domestically abused, it is important to remember that men suffer as well.

When men are abused, it is suspected that they are less likely to speak out as they may feel embarrassed or like no one will believe them due to the outdated misconception that men are supposed to be tough.

The Man Down campaign is supporting men in talking about mental health issues and the struggles they face, such as domestic violence.

The name comes from the phrase ‘man up’ which is often used to tell men to be ‘tough’, and the campaign aims to turn that stereotype on its head and get men to open up.

It can be hard for men to find help as while women often are placed in refuges, the large majority of these are women only and do not allow men in order to let women feel safe while they recover and readjust.

Stockport Without Abuse is a charity that works with men, women and children who are affected by domestic violence.

They stress the importance of men seeking help as well on their website, telling of how one in six men will suffer from abuse in their life.

They have a dedicated men’s worker who helps find practical solutions for victims.

They do however also help anyone who has suffered domestic violence to recover and remain safe.