Supporting the Government to tackle domestic abuse

With one in five children exposed to the horrors of domestic abuse, the leader of Wokingham Borough Council explains why she’s pleased the new Queen’s Speech included plans to introduce a bill that tackles the pertinent issue

LAST week, the Queen’s Speech set out the Government’s agenda. Unsurprisingly, Brexit dominated the proceedings, with no fewer than eight bills dedicated to implementing the decision of the British people to leave the European Union.

One of the other important announcements outlined the Government’s plans to introduce a Domestic Violence and Abuse

Bill.

I have written in The

Wokingham Paper before that the often-hidden crime of domestic abuse is an issue that is very close to my heart.

I have witnessed first-hand the destructive effects of domestic abuse, tearing apart the family of one of my close friends.

As such I fully support the Bill.

The Bill has three main elements:

It would create a Domestic Violence and Abuse Commissioner to raise awareness and monitor the work of bodies like local councils in tackling domestic abuse.

This is a positive step.

Too many of us simply do not recognise domestic abuse when we see it.

However, with this Bill, the devil will be in the detail.

It will be important to understand what further steps the government would take to bolster the existing systems by which we, as a Council, are already held to account for our actions in tackling domestic abuse.

Shockingly, domestic violence and abuse are not currently specific criminal offences, so the new Bill would define domestic violence and abuse in law for the first time.

It is time to take stronger action against non-physical abuse together with coercive and controlling behaviours.

This would make it easier for the police to prosecute someone who is abusive or violent towards a partner or family member.

We frequently fail to talk about the awful and life-destroying effect of domestic abuse on children.

Around one in five children have been exposed to domestic abuse – these children are far more likely to experience domestic abuse again when they are adults.

The Bill therefore ensures that, if abusive behaviour involves a child, the court can hand down a sentence that reflects the devastating life- long impact of abuse on that child.

On behalf of the Council, I will be lobbying our local MPs, including the new Labour Member for

Reading East, to ensure that they support this essential Bill going forward.

Similarly, I would urge you to contact your MP to tell them how important this Bill is to you.

I will continue to be a Leader who stands up for victims of domestic abuse, giving them courage to seek help and support and ensuring that support is available to those who are perpetrators of abuse so that they can have the help they need to change.

Only by working together can we stamp out the crime of domestic abuse in our community for good.