Helen Jones

Labour Party | Warrington North

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Although it is not common I do get constituents attending my advice surgeries who have been victims of domestic violence.  It is an issue that crosses the political divide with Members of Parliament of all parties looking for ways in which the problem can be effectively tackled.   There are plans for a bill to be introduced on the matter and reflecting the importance of the issue I would welcome any comments or views from you on how we tackle this crime.

It is important that this consultation takes place and that as many views as possible are heard because domestic violence has the capacity to affect everybody.   It is frightening to think that 1 in 4 women suffers from domestic violence during the course of their lives and it accounts for one quarter of all violent crimes. Not only do we all pick up the cost to families,  health and other public services,  but it is likely that someone you know or work with will have been a victim of domestic violence. 

Domestic violence results in over 100 deaths a year.  Two women a week are killed as a result of violence in the home and nearly half of all female murder victims are killed by a partner or ex partner.  Quite simply,  domestic violence is unacceptable and we need to work together to eradicate it.

As well as welcoming you views,  which I can feed back to ministers,  I am also asking companies in Warrington to adopt a Pledge Card which has been produced by the GMB trade union.  For many victims the workplace is the only safe place they have and the Pledge Card is asking businesses to adopt a policy to assist employees who find themselves in this position.  The GMB,  along with others,  have developed approaches that can be adopted in the workplace.  I do hope local companies will look at these and commit their help and support.

The consultation paper which has been recently issued sets out to provide greater legal protection for victims and ensure those who attack their partners are successfully prosecuted.  Those who breach non-molestation orders will face criminal law rather than civil law and there will be an automatic review of all domestic violence murders.  In addition it is proposed that there should be a register of domestic violence offenders which would allow repeat offenders to be identified.

If you would like more information on the Pledge Card or would like to contribute to the consultation process please contact me – your views will be of real value.

Contact Helen Jones MP – by letter to Gilbert Wakefield House, 67 Bewsey Street, Warrington, WA2 7JQ; by phone on 01925 232 480; by fax on 01925 232 239; by e-mail jonesh@parliament.uk