Stourbridge MP Suzanne Webb has welcomed the introduction of the ground-breaking Domestic Abuse Bill to Parliament, which will go even further to support and protect victims and punish perpetrators.
The Bill, which is the most comprehensive package ever introduced, incorporates new measures to safeguard victims. This includes requiring Councils in England to provide support and ensure safe accommodation for victims and their children. The Bill will also improve on the previous pledge to ban abusers from cross-examining their victims in family courts, making sure it applies to all family proceedings where there is evidence of domestic abuse.
Domestic Abuse Protection Orders will provide immediate protection to victims and offer flexible, longer-term safeguarding by imposing requirements on perpetrators. This could include prohibiting contact with the victim or forcing a perpetrator into alcohol or drug treatment programmes.
The Government has also announced it will fund any court costs for police applying for these orders under the pilot, ensuring cost will not be a barrier for the police to implement this important tool.
Suzanne Webb MP said: “Domestic abuse is an abhorrent crime that has a severe impact on victims for years to come. This new bill will ensure the law does not provide a safe haven for perpetrators who destroy victims’ lives.
“We also need to debunk the myth that domestic abuse only includes verbal and physical abuse. Often abusers are adept at covering their actions, and will isolate their victims from their friends and family.
“Domestic abuse can also include coercive control, financial control, and convincing their victims to cater to their every need by discouraging work or social activities.
“It is estimated that 2.4 million people in England and Wales have suffered domestic abuse, and I know some of my constituents will have been affected in some way.
“I am keen to work with my constituent Sam Billingham, a domestic abuse survivor who has campaigned tirelessly to be a voice for victims. This also includes setting up the charity SODA, which undertakes vital work to support survivors.”
Sam Billingham added: “Finally, the Domestic Abuse Bill has returned to Parliament! It was 2 years ago I sat on the red sofa speaking to Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty on BBC Breakfast News, telling them how I thought the Domestic Abuse Bill looked good on paper.
“I welcome the re-introduction of the Bill, especially as the number of women being killed is at a 14-year high, however, for it to be strong enough to support survivors of domestic abuse we have to take a 21st century approach on this complex crime.
“I am delighted to see that the Bill will improve the previous pledge to ban abusers from cross- examining their victims in Family court and I sincerely hope that the Domestic Abuse Protection Orders will provide immediate protection to victims.
“I am pleased that technology has also been included in the Bill and there has got to be a change in how easy it is for abusers to be able to track their victims via technology, even after leaving the relationship. Hopefully this will reduce the number of victims who are stalked by their partners.
“1 in 4 women, 1 in 6 men and 2 women are killed each week in England and Wales by a partner or former partner, this is a crime that knows no boundaries, no one is exempt from it and it is everyone’s business.
“The Government have the opportunity to strengthen the Bill to protect all victims of domestic abuse and as a survivor of domestic abuse myself I think we still have a long way to go yet. I believe that seeing a stronger deterrent and punishment is the way forward, not only is it telling abusers that we don’t tolerate domestic abuse, but it will also give victims the confidence and faith to report the abuse.
“I am happy to be working with Suzanne Webb MP because it’s absolutely vital we all work together if we really want to see a change where domestic abuse is concerned.”
