MP takes a stand against domestic abuse and sexual violence

MP Helen Jones has taken a stand against domestic abuse and sexual violence during “UK Says No More” week.
The Warrington North MP is urging the government to do more to prevent domestic violence and joined in the national “UK Says No More” campaign.
Hestia, one of the biggest providers of domestic abuse refuges across the country, is running the campaign to raise aware of domestic abuse and sexual violence.
The British Crime Survey has found that one in four women will be a victim of domestic abuse in their lifetime and one in six men will also be affected. Domestic abuse accounts for eight per cent of all recorded crime in the UK.
Ms Jones has signed a charter on prevention which asks for:
* Responsibility for education and awareness to be enshrined in the role of the new Domestic Abuse Commissioner and for education around healthy relationships to spread intro all walks of life. It will be incumbent on the Commissioner, Government and local authorities to make this happen.
* Greater support for children who have witnessed or experienced domestic abuse. This can have a long term impact on children and more funding needs to be channelled into ensuring young people have access to mental health support.
* Domestic abuse to be everyone’s business. In particular there needs to be greater awareness raising amongst employers who can play a key role in supporting employees who are experiencing abuse. The employers ‘duty of care’ needs to be expanded to include their responsibilities in dealing with domestic abuse.
* She said: “ The devastating effect domestic violence can have on people’s lives and their families is clear.
“ I am joining Hestia and strongly supporting UK says No More’s national campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse and sexual violence across the UK.
“ A quarter of all women will be a victim of domestic abuse with nearly one million children affected as a result. These are staggering figures and we must do everything we can to support victims of domestic violence but prevention is absolutely critical.
“ I have signed the Prevention Charter urging the Government and local authorities to ensure that much more is done to support victims of domestic abuse and to prevent it taking place. Ending domestic violence is everyone’s business and we must do everything we can to prevent it. “
Pictured: Helen Jones at the signing of the charter.