My first six weeks as Powys’s High Sheriff have been busy and fascinating – and involved a lot of travel around our beautiful county. And I’ve met many wonderful volunteers as well as people involved in the justice system. 

I’m looking forward to doing a lot more in the months ahead – I welcome any suggestions from readers. You can email me [email protected]. You can also follow me on my Facebook page High Sheriff of Powys, or on X (formerly Twitter) @USPowysHS

One justice issue that particularly concerns me is domestic abuse. I’ve been a magistrate for almost 30 years and that has made me only too aware of its effects – on victims and on families. Victims can be men as well as women, and domestic abuse includes the abuse of the elderly as well as of children. It can mean violence or controlling behaviour or financial abuse.

The national picture is depressing. The Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales estimates that more than two million people are affected and that there is a staggering £74 billion cost. Only five per cent of perpetrators are brought to justice. In 2023, 242 people lost their lives at the hands of domestic abusers.

I believe that there are particular problems in rural areas like Powys where it is much more difficult to access services. On the one hand, it is much more difficult to be anonymous than it is in a city. On the other hand, isolated people can be abused without anyone else being aware. 

Most High Sheriffs choose charities that they will particularly support. I have chosen two that do a wonderful job to support domestic abuse victims in Powys – Calan DVS in the south, and Montgomeryshire Family Crisis Centre in the north. They can be contacted on 01874 625146 and 01686 629114 respectively.

With them, and working with the police and courts, I want to use my year of office to try to raise the profile of domestic abuse and to help its victims get justice and help.