Stand up to abuse call

POLICE and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd is backing calls to introduce a specific offence of domestic violence.

The move has been put forward by Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper in an attempt to reverse the trend of falling prosecutions despite reported incidents being on the increase.

As many as one in four women and one in six men experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.

Mr Lloyd said: “This is an undoubtedly important step forward in tackling violence against men and women.

“Domestic violence causes horrendous damage to our communities — not only to victims, but to the children of victims who witness the violence or its fall-out and suffer incredible emotional damage.”

Responsibility for tackling the problem is something which should be met by all bodies, according to Mr Lloyd.

Nearly all victims of domestic abuse will come in to contact with the NHS at some point and practitioners who recognise domestic abuse and know how to help can be a lifeline for survivors.

Sign Tony’s promise to take a stand against domestic violence at www.gmpcc.org.uk/endthefear.
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