Surrey Police will be holding an online question and answer session next week to encourage those experiencing domestic abuse to "take the first step" and speak out to seek help.
As part of the on-going Surrey Against Domestic Abuse partnership, which launched last month, a domestic abuse survivor and a senior Surrey Police detective will be holding a live Q&A on the Surrey Police Facebook page.
The session will be held between 7pm and 8pm on Monday (February 10) and can be accessed by visiting www.facebook.com/SurreyPolice.
Members of the public are being urged to put their questions and seek advice from Sarah*, a domestic abuse survivor who will talk about her own experiences, and Detective Inspector Stewart Leahy, who is leading the Surrey Police domestic abuse campaign.
National figures suggest an average of 35 incidents of domestic abuse happen to someone before they report it for the first time.
The campaign is aimed at encouraging not only people experiencing domestic abuse, but also their friends and family, to seek advice about abusive relationships.
Although Surrey Police receives around 1,000 reports of domestic abuse a month, it is believed that many more incidents go unreported and the campaign will particularly target social groups with a lower rate of reporting domestic abuse.
As part of the campaign, those who suspect their friend or family member is experiencing domestic abuse, are being encouraged to call the yourSanctuary 24 hour helpline on 01483 776822 or visit www.surreyagainstda.info to get advice.
Alternatively if the abuse has become serious it should be reported to the police by calling 101, or through Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
