What about the younger group?

A few days back the UK government’s definition of domestic abuse is being extended in March, to cover 16 and 17-year-olds. As much as this new change is welcomed I cannot help but think what about the younger group? How are we going to protect them?

The incident of Kelsey Shaw is fresh in my memory. A young girl who went into a relationship just like the many of us do. To the many who do not know the short lived and painful life of this beautiful girl , here is a recap.

Kalsey was a beautiful girl who had dreams, like every 12 yr old. She met Callum Willcocks who was 14yrs old and began dating. In the words of Willcocks during his trial ‘When it was good it was brilliant, but when it was bad it was absolutely terrible,’. Kelsey and Willcocks had a baby together when she was 14yrs old ( 2008). Willcocks had dropped out of school had no career and had a string of drug charges to his name. After serving 3 years detention by 2010 he was back in her life and this time it proved to be even more difficult. It was revealed that Willcocks was engulfed with rage and overwhelming suspicion. Kalsey was said to be dating another man ,the very thought of her being with another man drove willcocks crazy and many a times he tried to commit suicide.

On the April 28th 2010, the eve of Prince William and Catherine Middleton’s wedding , Willcocks and Kalsey were spending the evening at a friend’s house when an argument broke out ,anger and rage engulfed Willcocks; ‘I was filling up with anger and I couldn’t hold it any more,’ he told the court. He strangled Kalsey until she lost her consciousness and she died the following day at the hospital. A young girl lost her life , a baby girl has lost her mother and has to now live with the reality and the man responsible for this horrendous crime is her father. This is just one incident that we know of, there are numerous women going through what Kalsey experienced without knowing what to do.
Being subjected to domestic abuse at a very young age can bear a scar for the rest of one’s life if the girl escapes from the situation. What if she’s unable to escape? What about the hundreds of young girls in the same plight as kasley? Do we have a support system that is adequate and capable of helping these girls? What about the girls who are younger than 16?

National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline Numbers & Contact (http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/support/domestic_violence_usefulcontacts_index.shtml)

To talk to someone in confidence for support, information or an emergency referral to temporary accommodation, contact the free 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline.
Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Website: http://www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk/
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)

A free, confidential service for anyone concerned about children at risk, including children themselves. The service offers counselling, information and advice.

Helpline: 0808 800 5000
Website: http://www.nspcc.org.uk
Northern Ireland Women’s Aid Domestic Violence Helpline

If you’re based in Northern Ireland and you need to talk to someone in confidence call the 24 hour helpline run by Women’s Aid, a voluntary organisation providing services for women and children in Northern Ireland.

Helpline: 0800 917 1414
Web: http://www.niwaf.org
Samaritans

Confidential support 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing distress or despair, and feelings that could lead to suicide.

UK and Northern Ireland helpline: 08457 90 90 90
Republic of Ireland helpline: 1850 60 90 90
Website: http://www.samaritans.org.uk
Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline

If you’re based in Scotland and you need to talk to someone in confidence call the 24 hour Domestic Abuse Helpline run by Scottish Women’s Aid, the lead organisation working towards the prevention of domestic abuse in Scotland.

Helpline: 0800 027 1234
Website: http://www.scottishwomensaid.org.uk
Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline

The national free support and information service for women, children and men in Wales who are experiencing or who have experienced abuse at the hands of someone close to them. To talk to someone in confidence, call the 24 hour helpline.

Helpline: 0808 80 10 800
Website: http://www.wdah.org

Useful Links:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2073217/Callum-Wilcocks-jailed-strangling-Kelsey-Shaw-confessed-affair.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/21620080