News / Domestic Abuse
Royal visit to Portishead
The Queen has paid a visit to Portishead to learn about Avon and Somerset Police’s work tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence.
The royal was met by chief constable Sarah Crew and superintendent Sharon Baker, a domestic abuse survivor who set up a support network for colleagues also experiencing abuse.
The group is described as “the first of its kind” to be launched by a UK police service.
Baker appeared in the ITV documentary Her Majesty The Queen – Behind Closed Doors, in which she spoke publicly about her own experience of domestic abuse.
During the visit on Thursday, Queen Camilla toured the force control room and spoke with emergency call handlers about how they respond to domestic abuse calls.
The Queen has long campaigned against domestic violence and sexual abuse and has dedicated her royal charity work to supporting victims of sexual assault.
The visit also highlighted two projects: Bluestone and Project Bright Light.
Crew said: “In Avon and Somerset, we are steadily developing as a police service that strives to put victims at the heart of what we do, while ensuring our officers and staff are better equipped to manage the complexity of these cases with professionalism and care.
“Other forces have shown interest in the work happening here, not because we believe we have all the answers, but because we are learning, adapting, and beginning to make a positive difference for the people we serve.
“I want to thank Her Majesty for taking the time to visit us and for using her platform to highlight the positive work that goes into protecting victims and survivors of abuse and sexual violence.”
Baker, who founded Avon and Somerset Police’s Domestic Abuse Survivors Group in 2021, said it was an honour to welcome the Queen, calling her “a steadfast advocate for victims and survivors of domestic abuse for many years”.
“We are creating an organisational culture where domestic abuse is visible, where we all recognise the signs of abuse, and understand how to support colleagues, friends and family who are victims and survivors,” Baker said.
Police and crime commissioner Clare Moody said the visit helped shine a light on efforts to improve policing responses to domestic abuse, including cases involving police perpetrators.
Main photo: Avon and Somerset Police
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