On a dreary September morning in Oldham, a woman opened the door to find police standing there. They had been called to report domestic violence, but the woman was afraid to make a formal complaint.
But unlike similar calls police have responded to, this one was different. They were not acting alone and were joined by a highly skilled expert, an independent domestic violence advisor (IDVA).
Together they were able to explain the criminal process to the woman and reassure her that she would be supported if she made a formal claim.
Only then did the woman open up, revealing the horror of what she had experienced and giving police the statement they needed to arrest and charge the suspect.
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The call was part of a targeted crackdown by GMP in Oldham, who are collaborating with IDVA along with Greater Manchester organization Talk Listen Change’ (TLC).
The force arrested 33 people on suspicion of domestic abuse-related offenses including assault, stalking and harassment, and coercive and controlling behavior between Monday, September 11 and Sunday, September 17.
Police in the borough have made responding to domestic violence a top priority due to what bosses describe as a ‘high percentage of calls out’ compared to the rest of Greater Manchester.
Chief Inspector Phil Hutchinson is leading the latest investigation. he said Manchester Evening News he and his officers are committed to building trust and confidence among the most vulnerable people who call them for help.
“We know that domestic violence is a cycle, and so early intervention is absolutely critical for us,” she said. “We try to see victims as soon as possible because it’s about talking to them when the situation is really new and they choose to reach out for help.
“We don’t always get there quick enough, which is something we’re trying to address, but the key is to keep the victim engaged and informed about the process.
“Here in Oldham we have a list of the top 10 offenders and top 10 victims in the area by number of reports and we absolutely prioritize them because they are at risk of serious harm. Not just physical but psychological too.”
The latest operation carried out by Supt Hutchinson’s team involved executing search warrants, acting on intelligence and encouraging victims and survivors to tell their stories.
Following a call to a woman reporting domestic violence, a police officer and IDVA were able to obtain crucial evidence as part of the ongoing investigation.
Detective Insp Zad Latiff said: “Thanks to the skills of that officer and the IDVA, we were able to obtain really good evidence from a victim who probably would not have come forward without that support.”
“There have been a few cases where we have reacted to reports that a victim was uninteresting, but we have managed to speak to the victim and gather evidence.
“It’s about being patient, listening and offering support and reassurance about what we can do for the victim. The victim was clearly at ease and gave us a statement that led to an accusation. It was all about the right people being there for the victim.”
Talk Listen Change (TLC) also plays a key role in cracking down on domestic abuse in Oldham. The organization has seen a 180 percent increase in referrals since the beginning of 2021.
The majority of their work takes place in schools, where they help identify potentially unhealthy behaviors and address problems before they escalate. During GMP’s week of action, they set up stands in Spindles Shopping and Tesco to educate local people about the vital work they do in the community.
“We want to make people aware of behaviors they don’t normally associate with domestic violence,” said Joe Chlebik, Director of Children and Youth Services. “We are talking about aggressive language, shouting, destruction of property, coercive control.
“The cost of living crisis means families are really struggling. Coronavirus lockdowns also mean many people are spending their formative years trapped indoors and without human contact, and that’s playing a big part in the guidance we’re seeing.”
“There’s a lot of stigma around admitting there’s a behavioral issue in the family. We started this study in January 2021 and saw a 180 percent increase in referrals over that two-year period, which shows just how far-reaching it is.” Spread the problem.”
The organization provides early intervention work in schools and also works with adult offenders in Oldham.
“We believe that adults also have the ability to change, which often involves unraveling long, deep-seated beliefs and values,” said Hannah Taylor, TLC Director of Services.
“Domestic abuse destroys lives. We know that victims can certainly move on and build a new life, and perpetrators can change, but without the right support we can’t break the cycle.”
For Supt Hutchinson and his team, the mission is to leave local people with a positive experience of reporting crime, especially when it comes to domestic violence.
“I think domestic violence is still under-reported, especially in certain segments of society,” she said. “If we have any positive impact on a crime victim they are likely to tell people that.
“This could encourage people to seek help. If we can get an offender off the streets, that’s good news for me.
“We’re trying to do things to get victims to come and talk to officers. We may think we’re doing a good job, but thankfully none of my officers are victims of domestic violence, so it’s always important to hear from someone who has information on this issue.” he got through it.
“If any learning or training occurs, it flows directly to officers. Can we do more? Possibly. But we’re trying to do the best we can to make sure everyone is skilled.”