The MP for Telford, Lucy Allan, has welcomed the Prime Minister, Theresa May’s recommitment, today, to bringing forward new protection orders and tougher sentences to stamp out domestic violence (DV).
The issue of domestic violence has gained increased attention in recent years, with figures, from the campaign group Women’s Aid, revealing that over 1.3 million women have experienced domestic abuse in the last year, and that 4.3 million women have experienced domestic abuse at some point since the age of 16. Figures from the group also reveal that, on average, two women are killed by their partner or ex-partner every week in England and Wales.
This year the names of two women from Telford, Cheryl Hooper and Lynn McNally will be read out today in Parliament by domestic violence campaigner, Jess Phillips MP, as International Women’s Day is marked in the House of Commons by MPs.
Ms Allan who previously worked with a Women’s Aid refuge, has long called for additional protections for women trying to escape violent relationships, and recently urged the Housing Minister, Heather Wheeler, to increase provision for refuges in the UK, so that women can safely escape dangerous partners without being left homeless.
Ms Allan hopes the Government’s new Domestic Violence Bill, which is due to be introduced later this year, will help to reduce such instances of abuse, by improving victim status and protections.
Commenting on today, and the issue of domestic violence, Ms Allan said:
“Women with voices give hope and protection to women with no voice at all.
“I’m pleased that on International Women’s Day, today, the issue of domestic violence is at the fore of our discussions. It is so important that we, as law-makers, look at ways to reduce the number of women that are abused and in some cases killed by current and former partners.
“Each year on IWD, Jess [Phillips] reads the names of women who have been killed by men in the previous year. It is a very powerful moment. This year it is a great tragedy that two Telford residents are among the names to be read out.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
· You can read the Prime Minister’s recommitment to introducing this important bill via the following link: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/mar/08/theresa-may-domes…
· The Government’s consultation on this Bill can be viewed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/domestic-abuse-bill-consult…
Image - International Women's Day's 2018 'Press for Progress' campaign.