Domestic Violence and Abuse Complainants 'Failed' by Police - Tina Royles

As a child I remember reading the Ladybird book 'The Policeman'. It was actually one of my favourite books, not only because being a police officer was the thing I'd set my heart on being when 'I grew up', but equally because of the messages inside the book and what those messages reinforced.

A Police Officer was the person in 'authority' you were encouraged to turn to if you felt you were in trouble, and that once you turned to them they would help you.

I spent sixteen years as a police officer, and am still proud to have done so, as over those years I helped thousands of individuals; often vulnerable with a variety of difficulties including: domestic violence, rape, and other serious offences. Being professional, empathic, and conscientious generally makes the difference in the way others not only perceive the police, but in the way they are able to negotiate their way through the difficulties and move forward.

Sadly there are some individuals who fail to get this level of assistance from the police, crown prosecution service, or other such organisations or individuals who as a rule are there to protect such vulnerable people. What's equally of a concern is that this level of 'failure' is on the increase.

Over the last six months there has been a surge in the number of individuals looking to progress a 'private prosecution' in order to seek a form of 'justice' and perceived validation of whats happened.

Clearly injustice comes in many disguises, however the cases that find their way into the media spotlight or at the forefront of inappropriate action seems to focus on cases where domestic violence, or other sexual related incidents have occurred.

As an expert and specialist on domestic violence, both internally and externally to my police career, and as a former specialist rape trained officer, who has expertise on building cases for court, and equally reviewing cases that have been built which have either fallen short of meeting the criteria to progress via CPS through the criminal justice system, or for whatever reason have been deemed 'not in the public interest' to proceed with, I am well aware of the frustration, upset, and trauma this causes, and the impact it has emotionally, physically, and psychologically.

If you feel that you, or someone you know, has been 'failed' by the 'system' and you want to explore the possibility of having your case reviewed, or built to progress to the stage of prosecution, then why not contact 'Royles' today and start the conversation...

www.royles.org 01244 760113 [email protected]

Police Complaints