A POLICE officer from Avon and Somerset has spoken of her experience as a domestic abuse victim in support of a new awareness campaign launched today.

The month-long “Precious Moments” campaign challenges the perception of a “typical” domestic violence victim by telling the stories of abuse against both men and women, as well as the LGBT+ community and the elderly, who are all underrepresented in the reporting of abuse.

Being launched on the International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women, the campaign also marks the run up to the first anniversary of the new crime of controlling or coercive behaviour.

The unnamed officer said: “I was a copper, a strong person, used to helping others – how on earth could I be a victim of abuse?

“I am sure many of you are thinking 'why didn't you just leave him'? But abuse is paralysing, it sneaks up on you over years, until one day it dawns on you and you barely recognise the person staring back at you in the mirror.

“The bruises are real, you just can't see them.”

The campaign, which runs until December 29, uses a celebratory graphic style which is in direct contrast to menacing words about abuse.

Over the four weeks of the campaign, stories from different victims who will talk about their experiences will be shared, as well as how they found the strength to go from victims to survivors.

Through the launch, police have appealed to family members and friends who are concerned about someone in their life to look, listen, ask and ask again.

Force-lead for domestic abuse chief inspector Andy Bennett said: “As a society, we need to shift away from the misperception that domestic abuse only happens to women in unhappy marriages. Domestic abuse is happening to people from all walks of life.

“We also need to acknowledge that abuse isn’t just physical – it can be financial control, emotional and mental abuse, sexual violence and intimidation.

“We know that anecdotally some people are not as confident in reporting abuse, but we don’t see gender, ethnicity, sexuality or age, we see a person who needs our help. We are not here to judge or criticise, we are here to protect those who need it. The message from us is simple – we will believe you.

“We are also using this campaign as an opportunity to speak directly to friends or family members who have concerns that someone close to them is suffering. To you, we say – look, listen, ask, ask again…”

Throughout the campaign, we will be using #NoExcuse on all our social media channels as well as publishing video interviews and testimonies from domestic abuse survivors.

Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: “Protecting the most vulnerable from harm is one of the priorities highlighted in my Police and Crime Plan. Domestic abuse is never the victims fault and I want victims to know that if they come forward and report to the Police they will be believed and taken seriously.

“In the UK the term domestic abuse includes lots of different types of abuse; psychological and emotional, physical, sexual, harassment and control and coercion. There are no excuses for domestic abuse and no one has the right to control or abuse another person either physically or mentally.

“We have some fantastic support services in Avon and Somerset. However we can all do more to ensure victims are able to seek support, to prevent offenders, to raise awareness amongst friends and families who continue to see abuse as a private matter and to stop society and professionals from victim-blaming.

“Domestic abuse can happen to anyone and I hope this multi-agency campaign makes the Police, our partners and our local communities to look, listen, ask and ask again to take us one step further in our battle against domestic abuse.”

For further information and support, visit www.thisisnotanexcuse.org.uk

Anyone wishing to report abuse are asked to call 999 or 101 immediately.