A publicity drive has been to encourage women to get help if they are victims of domestic abuse. It is thought that more than half of all attacks and harassment may go unreported, prompting an advertising campaign, carrying the message No Excuse, highlighting the support that is available.

Councillor Paul Edie, Chair of the Edinburgh Community Safety Partnership, said:

“Domestic Abuse is completely unacceptable and we will do our utmost to tackle it wherever it exists. We know that the turn of the year is a peak time for victims of domestic abuse to seek help or report assaults.  Our message to women who suffer from domestic abuse is that help is available and we strongly encourage you to use it.”

A spokesperson from Edinburgh Women’s Aid, said, “For 35 years, Edinburgh Women’s Aid have been providing information, advice, support and where appropriate, refuge accommodation to women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse. We encourage women to come forward and talk to someone, even if they are unsure if what they are experiencing is abuse.”

Megan was a victim of domestic abuse. She said:  “Every time I planned to go out with my friends, he would create a scene. He started arguments about my clothes and my friends and accused me of flirting with other men. Then he told me he was possessive because he loved me so much. I believed him. In the end, I just stopped seeing my friends – it was too much hassle.” 

Women’s Aid continued to explain, “Many women experiencing domestic abuse have never been physically assaulted by a partner and the effects of emotional abuse can be devastating and often go unrecognised by friends and relatives and by women themselves.”

The campaign is encouraging friends and relatives as well as the victims themselves, to report domestic abuse. Advertising was featured on buses, bus tickets and in areas where women are able to take down support phone numbers in private such as changing rooms in shops and in toilet cubicles. It is complemented by posters and radio ads carrying the campaign messages.