11:50am Thursday 3rd January 2013
By Telegraph comment
DOMESTIC violence is not a new issue but a sharply rising tide of cases and escalating seriousness of injuries here in East Lancashire are a shocking wake-up call.
Newly-released figures show up to 76 women are said to at ‘very high risk’ of being killed by their partners at any one time and the extent of the problem has prompted police and health chiefs to arrange special meetings to tackle it.
The number of battered women seeking hospital treatment is thought to be running at double what it was last year.
Experts say a recent focus on domestic violence has led to more convictions and lower repeat-offender rates.
The rise in violent attacks has been blamed on the economic climate and problems with drink and drugs.
But there can be no excuses.
Families throughout the area are having to cope with tight finances, job worries and the vast majority face up to them without beating up their partners.
Such attacks are criminal acts and offenders need to be treated by the courts just as seriously as if the victim was a stranger.
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