An award-winning local campaign combatting domestic abuse against pregnant women is seeing a comeback.

Kirklees Council’s “It’s Never OK” campaign has been re-launched this week after the phenomenal success of its first phase last year.

The campaign centres around an emotive and shocking video depicting the abuse faced by one pregnant woman at the hands of her partner.

This time, Kirklees say they are using the second phase of the campaign to appeal to midwives to spot the signs and provide support for mothers-to-be experiencing abuse.

Cllr Viv Kendrick, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Communities said: “The first phase of this domestic violence campaign was a big success, winning a Chartered Institute of PR Excellence Award in the ‘Public Sector Campaign’ category last year.

Clr Viv Kendrick

“More importantly, it resulted in over 3,500 visits to the council’s website directing victims to support and over 100 calls for help.”

The campaign’s video shows a heavily pregnant woman being attacked in her kitchen by her partner after spilling a cup of tea, before opening up to a midwife who sees her shocking injuries.

It’s Never OK is led by Kirklees Council, who have partnered with organisations including Pennine Domestic Violence Group, West Yorkshire Police, the NHS and Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing.

Rebecca Hirst, Director of Pennine Domestic Violence Group, said: “Domestic abuse during pregnancy is very common.

“Sadly over a third of domestic abuse begins when a woman is pregnant.”

Rebecca added: “In Kirklees we have a robust multi-agency approach to tackling the impact of domestic abuse.

“We work closely with our local health providers to identify and support women that are subjected to domestic abuse during pregnancy.”

Statistics quoted by Kirklees claim that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.

To find out more about the campaign and watch the video, visit: www.kirklees.gov.uk/itsneverok .