“With two million victims of domestic abuse it is clear that more needs to be done to tackle this appalling crime. Today’s announcement is a positive step in the right direction.” Caroline Dinenage
Local MP, Caroline Dinenage, has today welcomed the launch of new measures to tackle domestic violence.
The Minister for Women, Victoria Atkins, has announced the publication of the Domestic Violence Bill and 120 other non-legislative actions across Government to end the devastating cycle of violence for victims and their families.
Key measures include:
- Setting out in law the first cross-government definition of domestic abuse, including non-violent behaviour such as economic abuse.
- New, streamlined protection orders for victims and their children, including the powers to impose positive and negative requirements to stop the perpetrator.
- Supporting victims in court through prohibiting cross-examination by perpetrators in family courts and granting special measures automatically in criminal courts.
- Appointing a Domestic Abuse Commissioner whose sole focus will be tackling domestic abuse and ensuring good standards of services across country.
- More and better training for police, health professionals, Job Centre staff, housing officers and other frontline workers to help identify and support victims.
- Rolling out Op Encompass to schools nationally so that teachers know before the school day starts that a child in their care has witnessed domestic abuse the night before.
Caroline Dinenage MP commented: “As a champion of Hestia’s ‘UK Says No More’ Campaign, I am very pleased that this important issue is being given the attention it deserves.
Overhauling the policy approach is imperative with over 2 million victims of domestic abuse last year.
Offering victims greater support and tackling this problem head on is the least we can do.”