The rise in reported domestic abuse incidents in Kent is down to greater confidence in the system.

That’s the assessment from a top Kent police officer speaking at a domestic abuse conference held at Kent Police College this week.

Incidents of domestic abuse reported to Kent Police went up by 1,205 to 21,508 between April 2007 and March 2008, compared to the previous year.

Chief Superintendent Lee Catling - chair of the Kent and Medway Domestic Violence Strategy Group - said it is not the intention of Kent Police to stem this rise, but to encourage more people to come forward.

“Incidents of domestic abuse are massively under-reported because people aren’t confident in how Kent Police will handle the situation.

“An increase in reports means there is an increase in confidence which we are pleased about.

“Domestic abuse is a very complex issue and around three quarters of victims stay in abusive relationships after the justice system has punished an offender.

“There are many reasons for this. Perhaps the partner is the breadwinner or looks after the children. Sometimes people just don’t want to criminalise their partners.

“We need to make sure that if people do not want to come to the police then support groups across the country can give them the advice they need.

“What is important is that seminars like the one today are bringing the issue out into the open so we can publically discuss how to best tackle this issue.”

Around 150 delegates at the conference yesterday shared best practice on how to work with victims, offenders and their families.

Its aim was also to raise awareness of domestic abuse ahead of Elimination of Violence Against Women Day on November 25.