Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil Community Safety Partnerships geared up to once again take to the streets ahead of this weekend’s Wales v France Six Nations match (Friday 26th Feb), using mobile phone technology to reiterate their message that there is no excuse for domestic violence.
The work forms part of the ongoing Alcohol is No Excuse campaign, which was launched by Six Nations hero Martyn Williams earlier this year.
He chose to support the campaign due to its important message that there is never an excuse for domestic violence – and that includes trying to blame incidences on the fact you had one too many beers.
Six Nations season is, traditionally, a time when domestic violence incidents escalate, due to increased alcohol consumption.
However, partner agencies working to tackle the issue are determined to change peoples’ attitudes and behaviour when it comes to alcohol-related domestic violence.
As such, those working to protect the public across Rhondda Cynon Taff and Merthyr Tydfil joined forces to secure funding from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Making the Connections Fund to launch Alcohol is No Excuse.
Backed up with its own website, www.alcoholisnoexcuse.co.uk, the campaign has seen high profile marketing and advertising across both county boroughs in a bid to raise awareness of the issue and encourage victims and perpetrators to seek the information and support that is on offer.
This includes the use of Bluetooth technology, and officers were out in the city on Friday night to target the rugby supporters, sending messages to mobile phones to warn them that Alcohol is No Excuse.
Phil Bevan, Head of Community Safety at Rhondda Cynon Taf, said: “This is a unique campaign because we are aiming to change attitudes and behaviour, as well as promoting the services that are on offer.
“There are many stereotypes surrounding domestic violence and we want to break them down. Alcohol is No Excuse and domestic violence caused as a result of alcohol consumption is not acceptable.
“It is not OK to excuse incidences that only happen when your partner has had a few too many – such behaviour has to be recognised and changed.”
Chief Inspector Richard Erskine, who heads Community Safety in RCT and Merthyr on behalf of South Wales Police, added: “Rugby season is traditionally a time when domestic violence escalates and we want to stop that.
“The timing of this campaign and additional enforcement and awareness-raising activity during key dates of the rugby season calendar enable us to reach a large group of people.
“But this work is not just about rugby season, it is something we want to carry on throughout the year and I urge victims and perpetrators alike to understand that Alcohol is No Excuse and there is support and information on hand to help them address such behaviour.”
For more information on the alcohol is no excuse campaign visit www.alcoholisnoexcuse.co.uk alternatively you can find them on facebook.
