Head of the Public Protection Unit Detective Inspector Mark Hafey said: “Approximately half of all domestic abuse incidents attended by the police see children within the household. Witnessing domestic abuse is really distressing for a young person, who can often see the abuse, hear it from another room, see a parent's injuries or distress afterwards or be physically hurt trying to stop the abuse.

"The emotional responses of children who witness domestic abuse may include fear, guilt, shame, sleep disturbances, sadness, depression, and anger. History tells us that domestic abuse may have a long term psychological and emotional impact on children. The work that PMNW are undertaking is vital for us to get the message to our young people that DA on any level is wholly unacceptable.”

Staff from the Police, Jersey Woman’s Refuge, the Youth Service and the Independent Domestic Violence Advisor [IDVA] service  will be setting up two stalls in town on Friday and will be talking to passers-by as well as handing out agency leaflets and White Ribbons for people to wear in support of the campaign.

States Departments are also showing their support by taking team photos with White Ribbon banners which will be posted on social media sites all week.

DI Mark Hafey said: “It is magnificent that the agencies involved with tackling DA are once on board for the WRC. This year’s campaign is once again a multi-agency effort as we recognise that DA cannot be successfully tackled in isolation. For Jersey to make a positive difference to the lives of those affected by DA, which includes addressing the behaviour of perpetrators, takes consistent and committed partnership working.

"Domestic abuse affects every strand of society and one in four women will at some point in their lives suffer from DA. It can happen to anyone, regardless of age, social background, gender, religion, sexuality or ethnicity. It happens in all kinds of relationships: heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and is unacceptable on every level.”