Annandale East and Eskdale Councillor Archie Dryburgh chatted with the youngster at a summer youth event and was taken aback when she unexpectedly revealed what she’d been witnessing behind closed doors.
The primary aged girl, clearly relieved to escape home life, said she was delighted to be attending the youth event because “I don’t have to listen to my mum getting beaten up by my dad.”
Councillor Dryburgh, right, shared this tragic tale at last week’s Annandale and Eskdale area committee meeting, and said it underlined the need for more resources to tackle domestic abuse.
The committee has a fund of £29,767 for tackling poverty and inequalities. It was agreed to open up this fund to applications from community groups with key priorities around issues including digital connectivity, food insecurity, and domestic abuse.
Councillor Dryburgh said: “I think it’s right that we put something in place for that.”
More than 1000 domestic abuse cases were reported across the region in 2020/21.
There were 750 charges brought by procurator fiscals operating in Dumfries, 209 in Stranraer and 82 in Kirkcudbright.
Dumfries and Galloway Public Protection Partnership states that: “Domestic abuse is the most prevalent form of violence against women and girls in Scotland and in Dumfries and Galloway.
“Domestic abuse can happen to anyone and is physically and emotionally damaging.”
Several local organisations and agencies are now working together to tackle domestic abuse and violence against women and girls across the region.
A Glasgow-based service helping victims of domestic abuse is set to expand into Dumfries and Galloway in early 2023.
The ASSIST service currently operates in several local authority areas in the West of Scotland and receives around 5000 referrals a year. Now it plans to open an office in Dumfries and Galloway after receiving additional funding from the Scottish Government.
ASSIST is a specialist advocacy and support service which provides practical and emotional support to improve the safety of victims of domestic abuse and their children.
It provides support specifically tailored to the circumstances and needs of individuals and aims to ensure they are safe, informed and supported throughout their involvement with the criminal justice system.
