DV - should we encourage women to report to the police?

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

Friend of mine managed to kick out her scumbag husband last year after 15 years of DV. Am so proud of her.

She keeps mentioning about reporting him to the police. The abuse was significant, more than one episode of strangulation as well as emotional abuse.

Naturally, he's got himself a new girlfriend. Never felt happiness like it, apparently.

WWYD - she's been bossed about forever, so does she need to decide when/if to report him on her own in her own time, or is gentle nudging and encouragement better?

I'd fucking love to see him convicted.

If she keeps mentioning it then encourage her and support her to do so.

Reporting him might just save the new girlfriend’s life. Strangulation is a major marker for future murder.

If your friend doesn't know about Clare's Law, telling her about that may encourage her to go to the police as her actions now may protect other women.

Yip, she's been in touch with WA many times - so, she's well informed. Good point about Claire's law, she might go for that, actually.

I've been nodding and saying "I'll come with you, I'll be a witness" etc.

Wish she'd go, but, am trying really hard not to boss her about. She's probably had enough of that.

Am just venting, I guess. It's frustrating, and I feel bad for even thinking that.

I don't know if it's historic and there's no physical evidence of the strangulation (like bruises) then it's very unlikely to go anywhere unfortunately.

I mean, it may protect women in the future so I would still go ahead if it was me, but the police won't necessarily take it on and that can be massively upsetting and demoralising.

What evidence does she have? I would advise her to go ahead with whatever she has the most evidence for (photographs, hospital and drs visits etc.)

Yes, she has evidence - the police were out several times, hospitalisation and a court case where he was convicted for assaulting one of their kids.

Agree, though - it's a very tough thing to do. And he is very slippery, his ability to manipulate situations is actually impressive, well, it would be if it wasn't so sinister.

Sounds like she would have a strong case @vivariumvivariumsvivaria
They have a way of squirming out of these things though.