Community Guardians campaign aims to support domestic abuse survivors

Are you a local business owner?

Do you work closely with your local community?

You see your customers and clients every day; you’ll know your regular’s morning coffee order, their usual haircut, or their favourite nail art.

You build up close, trusted relationships with them, and are often the first to notice if something feels a bit off with them.

That’s why we’re launching our Community Guardians scheme – a new project designed to empower those who work in customer-facing roles to spot the signs of domestic abuse.

The scheme will offer free, online training to enable people to help them spot the signs of abuse, and how to support someone who may be experiencing it.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Crowe, from Durham Constabulary, said: “Talking about domestic abuse and vulnerability, and encouraging survivors to open up can be really difficult, but through this campaign we aim to create a safe and positive environment where people can have these conversations with confidence.

“Customer-facing roles such as beauticians, gyms, community organisations and hairdressers often build up very close relationships with their clients, so are well placed to spot any changes in behaviour or unusual injuries.

“Through the Community Guardians project, we want to empower these people with the knowledge, skills, and support that will allow them to help keep others safe in their local community.”

The scheme is open to all businesses and isn’t gender specific.

To register your interest in becoming a Community Guardian, click here https://online1.snapsurveys.com/Interview/be0c2b48-6709-432e-b786-c6d4cca5183b 

If you are suffering domestic abuse, please know you are not alone – there are people who can and will help you. 

Call 101, or 999 if you are in immediate danger. 

Reports can also be made online at www.police.uk/ro/report/domestic-abuse/a1/report-domestic-abuse/  

If you don’t want to speak to the police, there are other helplines available: 

• The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247.
• The local service, Harbour, is also available 24 hours a day on 03000 20 25 25. 

The above services support both men and women.