Yesterday in Chiswick, the Home Secretary, Rt Hon. Theresa May MP joined the Metropolitan Police, the Mayor’s Office, Refuge and the NHS on an expert panel to discuss the issue of domestic violence in London, led by local MP Mary Macleod.
The world’s first ‘safe house’ for women and children escaping domestic violence was opened in Chiswick over 40 years ago and one of its first residents, Jenny Smith, was also present at the meeting.
Mary Macleod MP, said:
“The key message is that is still much to do to prevent domestic abuse and continue to change culture and beliefs so that abuse in relationships is not acceptable and not tolerated.”
“I would like to thank the Home Secretary and all of our speakers and guests for coming to this important meeting on domestic violence in the capital. We really want to lead the way on this issue across London and anything we can do to raise awareness and encourage everyone to think about how they can help is a positive step. At this meeting we brought together the police, Crown Prosecution Service, Councils, businesses, charities, health services, schools, religious groups and local residents to ensure we work together to put a stop to this awful crime."
Amongst the many subjects spoken about, the audience heard about how the police are working to improve the way they respond to calls for help relating to domestic violence and how technology can be used to help those affected to feel safer and improve the quality of evidence collected to ensure more effective prosecutions.
The Home Secretary, Rt Hon. Theresa May MP, said:
“Domestic violence is an appalling crime and the Government is doing everything it can do stamp it out. I have just chaired an extremely positive National Oversight Meeting, the first of many designed to take forward the recommendations coming out of the HMIC report published in March.”
“New Domestic Violence Protection Orders can now be used by police to protect victims, and only last week, legislation came into effect banning forced marriage. I am immensely proud of UK leadership on these issues and I want to thank Mary for organising this event in Chiswick, which I think will make an excellent contribution to strengthening our efforts in London and beyond.”
Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of national domestic violence charity Refuge, said:
"Refuge has deep roots in Chiswick - this is where we opened the world's very first safe house for women and children fleeing domestic violence, back in 1971. Since then we have grown to become the country's largest provider of specialist domestic violence services. Demand on our services is relentless - every day we support over 3,000 women and children who are living with fear and brutality. Every week two women are killed by current or former partners.
“I commend the Home Secretary for showing leadership on this issue by commissioning HMIC's national inspection of police forces. It is essential that the police - and other agencies - improve the way they respond to abused women and children. Domestic violence will not end until we all work together to protect victims and bring justice to those who perpetrate this horrific crime."