By Aileen Robertson

A DEDICATED unit to help victims of domestic and child abuse has been launched in Dunfermline.

Fife Constabulary’s family protection unit, in Carnegie Drive, is the product of the existing child protection and domestic abuse units being merged in May.

Over the next year it will help the victims of an estimated 4000 criminal cases, ranging from minor assaults to sexual abuse and rape.

Detective Inspector Colin Beattie said housing all the officers and social work staff involved in family protection under one roof would create a central point of contact and make it easier for agencies such as NHS Fife and voluntary groups to get in touch with police.

He said, “We’re noticing a difference already in the amount of referrals we’re getting, especially in relation to historic abuse. The dedicated unit seems to be doing the trick and seems to be instilling confidence in victims to come and speak to us.”

Statistics suggest 72% of child abuse victims do not come forward when the abuse is happening. Mr Beattie said it is never too late to bring the perpetrator to justice. “It is something that tends to haunt people throughout their adult lives and they need some closure,” he said.

“The amount of people willing to come forward and disclose abuse they suffered as children is encouraging. It’s extra work, but that’s what we want.

“The cases being dealt with are particularly traumatic, and staff receive special training to deal with that. Not everyone could do this job, and we have to involve the right people. You can’t become personally involved but, from a professional point of view, I see the results the unit can make and it makes it all worthwhile.”

Although referrals to the unit are up, Mr Beattie said there is a long way to go before agencies and police reach everyone suffering from abuse.

Research shows, on average, a woman who is the victim of domestic abuse is assaulted 35 times before she goes to the police.

Mr Beattie said, “Research shows that people are still suffering a whole range of abuse—physical, sexual and emotional—and it is unacceptable. It is up to us to work together and encourage these people to come forward.

“Investigating cases of physical or sexual abuse is often a journey into the unknown, where you open one door and it leads to another.

“The main benefit of us all coming together is that we are now in a better position to be aware of and to tackle all the issues, allowing us to provide a better service for the people who need us most.”

Eric Byiers, chairman of the Fife child protection committee and the council’s strategic manager for adult and children’s services, said, “The family protection unit is part of on-going developments in Fife’s protection services for vulnerable children and families.

“It reflects the strong commitment that all partner agencies have to this important issue and will be a key element in Fife’s multi-agency protection strategy.”