Each year 2.4 million adults in the UK, including 7,500 here in Swindon, will suffer some form of domestic abuse. Two thirds of these victims are women, but domestic abuse knows no boundaries can affect anybody in society and is not always limited to physical violence. It includes coercive and controlling behaviour, which became a criminal offence when I led changes to the law on this as Solicitor General.
Last Friday I had the welcome opportunity to attend the Press Launch of the Swindon Domestic Abuse Service’s Ambassador Programme at the STEAM Museum. The Ambassador Programme is a ground-breaking initiative launched by the SWA to help raise awareness within Swindon’s business community of domestic abuse and to help them signpost people to their support services.
This well-organised event started an important and exciting year for the SWA and I look forward to working closely with them, particularly since as Justice Secretary, I am spearheading the Government’s efforts to take the Domestic Abuse Bill through Parliament. The purpose of this landmark piece of legislation is to ensure that the victims of domestic abuse and their families are protected from perpetrators in the most effective way possible.
The Bill is the most comprehensive package ever to tackle this horrendous crime and has been widely welcomed by charities and stakeholders. It will bolster our response to domestic abuse on every level – strengthening protections for victims, whilst ensuring perpetrators feel the full force of the law.
From giving courts greater powers through new prevention orders, to barring abusers from cross-examining their victim in the family courts, we are delivering a justice system more resilient than ever to tackle this horrific crime.
The Bill’s measures are part of this Conservative Government’s response to tackle crime including recruiting 20,000 additional police officers, offering a record funding settlement to police forces and ensuring they have the powers they need to help keep our streets safe.
As usual my busy week means a mix of both local and national issues, and as a result I have been taking up residents’ concerns relating to the development at the bottom of Croft Road directly with Taylor Wimpey. I have been working closely with Old Town Borough Councillor, Nick Burns-Howell and community campaigner, Karen Davison-Renouf on lorry congestion and crossing issues.
We are glad to say that Taylor Wimpey have dealt with the first issue and will be making sure that any deliveries involve a registration and ringing ahead process and they will turn away any unauthorised lorries to reduce congestion. Regarding the crossing issues, we need to have more detailed discussions as to precisely what benefit the development can bring, either with a new crossing or in improve existing crossing facilities, particularly at the mini roundabout with Tismeads Crescent. I will continue to work closely with the Old Town Conservative team on these issues and keep you updated on our progress.
On Saturday I hosted another of my regular drop-in advice surgeries, this time at the Park South Community Centre. I was happy to be joined by Parish Councillor, Zach Hawson and Borough Councillor for Liden, Eldene & Park South, Bazil Solomon and spoke to dozens of local residents as usually, there is plenty of work for me to do!
