SUNDAY marked International Women’s Day 2020 and to celebrate this very important date in the calendar, Wiltshire Police shared some success stories from around the Force through social media.

I hope that these stories help to inspire the next generation of female police officers.

Policing is a career like no other and day in, day out, women are doing fantastic work for the community of Wiltshire and it is crucial that we continue to encourage women to become police officers.

Since I have been Police and Crime Commissioner, I have been passionate about supporting women through a number of different projects and organisations and as I approach the end of my tenure as PCC, I have been spending a lot of time reflecting on the past eight years and some of my biggest achievements.

Supporting victims of domestic abuse – whether they are male or female - has always been at the forefront of my mind and I am honoured to have been able to support Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service financially in partnership with other commissioners, statutory partners and support services.

It has always been, and continues to be, an invaluable service to victims of domestic abuse and on Sunday, to coincide with International Women’s Day, I was pleased to see many people using social media to come together to share various helplines for women, men and children who may be victims of domestic abuse.

What was once a fairly taboo subject is becoming increasingly talked about and this can only be a positive thing. All too often, victims of domestic abuse suffer in silence because they just do not know where to turn. I really hope that this awareness raising continues so that anyone suffering at the hands of an abusive partner or family member knows where they can get support.

It is also hugely encouraging to see companies shining the spotlight on domestic abuse. In collaboration with Women’s Aid, GWR has launched an initiative to help women and men fleeing an abusive relationship and travelling to safety at a refuge.

Often, the expense of using public transport to escape abuse can be an obstacle for many who are suffering. The ‘Rail to Refuge’ collaboration will offer free rail travel to those fleeing domestic violence. It is devastating to think that many people are suffering simply because the cost of travel is preventing them from escaping.

For more information on how you can get support visit https://horizon.wiltshire.police.uk/article/893/Support-agencies