As most couples look forward to celebrating Valentines day this weekend, Tonight turns to the estimated 500,000 women who are living in fear with violent partners.
Fiona Foster reports on whether police attitudes to domestic violence have changed since Tonight last reported on the issue in 2004, and whether the courts are doing enough to enforce punishments for perpetrators.
We head out on the road with West Yorkshire police’s domestic violence unit as they make arrests over a busy weekend – armed with newly introduced “head cams” to capture footage of the scenes of the footage that await them.
Along with interviews with Association of Chief Police Officers, the Attorney General and Women’s Aid we hear first hand the harrowing tales of women who have survived violent relationships and from the children who have been witness to them.
We also hear from the family of one woman who will never recover from her partner’s violent attack.
If you are a victim of domestic violence or are affected by the issues raised in this programme please contact 0808 2000 24 7 - Freephone 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline
If you recognise violent tendencies in yourself or are abusive towards your partner please seek help by contacting Respect on 0845 122 8609 (same cost as a local call if you ring from a landline)
For further information:
www.refuge.org.uk
