Yahoo News Scottish police praised for writing open letter to domestic abuse victim
Police in Scotland have been praised for writing an open letter to a potential victim of domestic abuse on Twitter.
Lochaber and Skye Police, based at the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye, posted a series of tweets directed at a woman “at risk of domestic abuse”.
Writing that they knew the woman was one of the account’s 6,000 followers, the force said they wanted to “try to keep [her] safe."
The thread begins: "A letter to a young woman in Skye. We know you follow this account and want you to see this":
A letter to a young woman in #Skye.
We know you follow this account and want you to see this.
We’ve told you previously that we think you are at risk of domestic abuse from your
partner.— Lochaber&SkyePolice (@LochabSkyePol) November 18, 2017
The police go on to say they were trying to help the woman, who is potentially in “danger”:
We want to help you and are doing lots with other agencies to try to keep you safe.
You might not see us, you might not even like us being involved but we are always thinking about how we can help you.— Lochaber&SkyePolice (@LochabSkyePol) November 18, 2017
Your family and friends have told you they think you are in danger – they support you and want you to be safe.
— Lochaber&SkyePolice (@LochabSkyePol) November 18, 2017
They emphasise that domestic abuse is not the victim’s fault:
We think he’s probably told you, “It won’t happen again”, “I’m sorry”, “I’ll change”, he’s maybe even told you that it’s your fault - IT’S NOT.
The violence, threats, degrading comments and controlling behaviour are not the life you need to lead, it can be better.— Lochaber&SkyePolice (@LochabSkyePol) November 18, 2017
You are not trapped and you are not alone, we can help you get out, your family and friends can help you get out and @scotwomensaid can help you get out.
Call us, come to the Police station, phone someone, speak to local Womens Aid worker 01478613365 or 0800 027 1234.— Lochaber&SkyePolice (@LochabSkyePol) November 18, 2017
And end the thread with a firm message:
There is #NoExcuse for #DomesticAbuse. Help is out there.
— Lochaber&SkyePolice (@LochabSkyePol) November 18, 2017
The thread gathered thousands of likes and retweets. Twitter users praised the police for their kindness and sensitivity.
can't say enough about how caring and compassionate this is. Well done.
— Elizabeth Williams (@reochpk) November 22, 2017
