COUNTY councillors fear the wives of Special Air Service personnel ‘go through hell’ after their husbands return from the warzone and are reluctant to report cases of domestic abuse.

Herefordshire Council’s adults and wellbeing committee members expressed these concerns on last week while debating the authority’s strategy to tackle domestic abuse.

Councillor David Summers claimed that as many as four out of 10 wives of servicemen stationed at the Credenhill camp have suffered abuse after their husbands return from conflict zones.

“I’ve done some work in Herefordshire with the SAS and when some of these men come back from these trips their wives go through hell,” he said.

“It’s a well-kept secret but I’d say it is almost four out of 10 wives have suffered when their husbands get back.

“One of the things that I was finding out from the wives is that they were scared about going to the council or anywhere because of getting their husbands in trouble.

“Is that something we are keeping on top of?”

Senior commissioning officer Danielle Mussell confirmed the council was working with the SAS camp to help implement a strategy.

“There are additions, other complexities there. These families get moved around and there is often no sense of community for them,” she said.

“We recognise that. And we have started working with the local camp about their welfare support and they are onboard with the delivery group and looking at how they can implement the strategy within their own organisation.”

Councillor and former nurse Polly Andrews said her late husband, who was a GP, saw to many SAS wives and their children.

“He was often the first port of call because he was very sympathetic and understanding but they were reluctant to go to any of the camp facilities in case it got on their husbands’ records,” she said.

“Just as an aside, I used to work in the sexually transmitted diseases clinic and we had a number of SAS personnel go through the clinic.

“I was overwhelmed with the success they had in finding partners in the most unlikely of circumstances.”

Coun Summers said the message that the council needed to deliver is that the support is available to victims of domestic abuse and no one is going to find out if it is reported.

Health and wellbeing cabinet member Paul Rone said the council is committed to supporting those affected by domestic violence and abuse.

“The council recognises that prevention, early intervention and co-ordination of support is essential and is investing £1.3 million into a specific service to tackle the root causes and consequences,” he said.

“The service provided by West Mercia Women’s Aid will offer those affected by domestic abuse and their children a single point of contact and provide them with vital access to experienced professionals who can assist them to find the support that they need to enable them to live safe, healthy and independent lives.

“We urge any resident who suspects or is experiencing domestic abuse to contact West Mercia Women’s Aid 24 hour Helpline on 0800 783 1359, or in an emergency to contact the police on 999.”

“Domestic abuse can also be reported to the police on non-emergency number, 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

More information about the service is available on West Mercia Women’s Aid website http://westmerciawomensaid.org The Ministry of Defence has been approached for comment.