Areas of Ipswich have seen some of the highest numbers of reports from domestic abuse victims. 

It comes as Suffolk Constabulary has reported a rise of more than eight percent in rape, serious sexual offences and stalking rates in the county when compared with 2021.

The number of domestic abuse victims in Suffolk last year was 6,436 – which is 4.6 percent more than in 2021.

Of those, 1,140 victims were within the police locality of Ipswich East, Felixstowe and Woodbridge. 

The second and third highest were Lowestoft, with 1,042 victims, and Ipswich West and Hadleigh, with 1,040 victims.

Ipswich Central had 444 victims reporting domestic abuse in 2021, the second lowest after Halesworth. 

Sudbury had 810 victims, Mildenhall had 634, Bury St Edmunds had 545, Stowmarket had 483.

Anglia Care Trust which provides outreach services for domestic abuse says the rise may include factors such as more victims coming forward and better education, in addition to more crime. 

Amanda Page, operational manager for domestic abuses outreach services with Anglia Care Trust, said: “It is important to understand this is an increase in victims being seen, heard and offered support services.

“These figures also support the need for further education on healthy relationships.”

Ms Page also explained that a referral to specialist support services that are separate from the police is made when the police are called to a domestic abuse incident.

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All of the figures feature in a report by Suffolk’s chief constable into the police’s support for vulnerable victims.

Last week Suffolk County Council announced a scheme working with hairdressers to spot the signs of domestic abuse. 

A Suffolk Constabulary spokesperson said: “To stop domestic abuse, perpetrators need to change their behaviour.

“If you are abusing your partner – if you used your fist today on them, made threats to them or are currently searching through their phone conversations – you need to stop.

“Police will arrest you, seek to charge you and place you before the courts so you are held accountable.

“We would implore anyone who has or is suffering from domestic abuse to speak with us. Talking to somebody is the first step."

The report also says the number of rape and serious sexual offence cases in Suffolk was more than eight percent higher last year than the year before, and there were almost ten percent more reported stalking incidents.

The solved and charged rates for rape and serious sexual offences was up by just over one percent, while for stalking the solved rate was down by almost three percent.

Though stalking incidents increased, harassment cases decreased – by just under one percent.

Victims and those worried about someone can call Anglia Care Trust’s free, 24/7 and confidential domestic abuse helpline: 0800 9775690. More information about the helpline can be found at: https://www.suffolkdahelpline.org.uk/.

Domestic abuse perpetrators and those supporting them to change their ways can call the confidential Respect phoneline: 0808 8024040.

Respect works with perpetrators, male victims and young people using violence in their close relationships.

More information about the organisation can be found here: https://www.respect.uk.net/pages/about-us.