Kate writes a bi-weekly column for the Burton Mail. This column was originally featured in the 24th February print edition.
Everybody should have the right to feel safe in their own home and not live in fear of experiencing threatening behaviour from those that they live with.
This week the Government announced a raft of new measures to crack down on domestic abusers and bring in further support for victims. These measures include tougher management of the most dangerous abusers, with stricter sentences, and going forward those who are sentenced to 12 months or more imprisonment or a suspended sentence will be automatically added to the violent and sex offender register.
The new support measures for victims includes an extension to the ‘Ask for ANI’ codeword scheme into jobcentres and jobs and benefit offices, making tackling violence against women and girls a strategic policing requirement as well as providing additional funding for support services.
When I was first elected to Parliament, I said I would be a strong voice for abuse survivors. That is why the measures this week are so welcome and why I was pleased to take part in a roundtable event at Number 10 on Monday to discuss what more can be done to tackle the issue of violence against women and girls.
As part of the meeting, I spoke about the presumption of parental involvement, where domestic abuse has been proved, and the prohibitive costs of going through the family courts, something I also subsequently raised in the House of Commons this week at Justice Questions.
I am grateful to the Prime Minister for asking me to join and take part in this week’s important roundtable event. Protecting people from violence and supporting victims is of the utmost importance, and something I will continue to work for.
We must do all we can to give a voice to those impacted by this terrible crime and punish those who think they can get away with this behaviour behind closed doors.
