Guernsey's domestic abuse agencies bid for States funds

Guernsey Police said it dealt with 17 reported incidents of domestic abuse a week in 2008

Domestic abuse agencies in Guernsey are seeking more funding from the States.

It follows a seminar last week about the island's domestic abuse strategy which was approved last year.

The States is due to decide its spending priorities for the coming year at the end of September from a list of 13 "high priority" proposals.

Representatives of eight agencies involved in tackling abuse have said an extra £160,000 would enable them to introduce a range of new initiatives.

The States has previously recognised domestic abuse as a "significant social problem" in the Bailiwick.

According to figures for 2008, it accounted for 37% of violent crime, compared with the UK's figure of 16%, with Guernsey Police dealing with 17 reported incidents a week.

Last month, the social policy group of the Policy Council recruited UK charity Family Matters to work with islanders affected by domestic violence.