FROM detection to protection: Labour’s Val Morris-Cook and Baroness Angela
Smith launch campaign to close the domestic violence intervention gap
Two women every week are killed at the hands of their abuser in England and
Wales and two recent murders in Harlow have been linked to domestic
violence. Yet domestic violence is a still a largely hidden crime, which
isn’t give the priority it needs to keep people safe.
Labour have today (Wednesday) launched a new Policy Review document “From Detection to
prevention: Preventative policing to close the domestic violence
intervention gap.” Forming part of the Labour Party Policy Review, it will
look at ways to build on the work Labour did in government to make tackling
violence against women and girls a top priority in policing and crime
plans.
The new campaign – being rolled out across Essex and the East of England-
aims to create a step change in tackling the devastating problem of
domestic abuse. Labour’s police and crime commissioner candidates have
today committed to an 5 Point Action Plan to tackle domestic violence- and
will engaging in a consultation exercise with groups that work with victims
of Domestic Violence, on Women’s Safety and others in the wider community.
They will explore ways for the police and other bodies to become more
pro-active in preventing domestic violence offending and in supporting
survivors.
Val Morris-Cook, Labour’s Essex Police and Crime Commissioner candidate,
said:
“As the tragic murders in Harlow remind us, Domestic Violence a is major
problem. Two women every week are killed at the hands of their abuser in
England and Wales and the rate of domestic violence was twice as high as
the burglary rate last year. Yet tackling Domestic Violence is not being
given the priority it needs.
“Though many groups across Essex and the East of England are working hard
to prevent and tackle domestic abuse, it remains a hidden crime that cannot
be tolerated. As Labour’s Police and Crime Commissioner candidate for Essex
I have today signed Labour’s 5 key priorities on women’s safety.
“I want tackling Violence Against Women and Girls to be a priority in
policing and crime plans, including training for Police Officers,
specialist units, partnerships with councils, housing organisations,
schools and support groups to protect victims and prevent abuse.
“Domestic violence doesn’t just hurt the abused women, but also their
families – and has long term and far reaching consequence if action isn’t
taken. Too often Domestic Violence stays behind closed doors but with so
many women crying out for urgent help it must not be ignored.”
Baroness Angela Smith, Labour’s Shadow Home Officer Minister in the Lords,
said:
“Domestic Violence is a hidden emergency for over a million women in
Britain every year who call out for urgent help but are not properly heard.
In over 90% of incidents of Domestic Violence little or no further action
is taken against the perpetrator, to prevent repeat violence or to keep
victims safe.
“For the Labour Government tackling violence against women and girls was a
serious priority. We introduced specialist domestic violence courts
with police units and prosecutors, working in partnership with councils and
housing groups to help reduce incidents of domestic violence – but a
lot of that work is now under threat, and the truth is we also need
much stronger action to keep people safe.
“That’s why Val and Labour’s other Police and Crime Commissioner candidates
have today made clear that tackling Domestic Violence is a key
priority for them- and why Labour are committed to a wide consultation on
the best way forward on tackling violence against women and girls.
“It’s in their homes and communities that women should feel the most safe
and women should never be trapped in a violent relationship or in a
cycle of abuse because of a lack of support; nor should they be worried
about walking home.
“With so many victims in need of support it is vital that we build on the
work Labour did in government to make sure that women are safe and
action is taken against perpetrators of domestic abuse.”
It is good to see that this is making the headlines and that people are trying to do something about this; however, lets not forget that it is not just violence against women.
A 1997 report showed that more men than women fail to disclose their attacker and in 2009 a further report showed that there was greater acceptance for abuse perpetrated by females than by males.
All domestic violence needs to be tackled but there is a big shortage of support for the men that are trapped in a violent relationship.