MP Backs Action on Tackling Domestic Violence Against Women

On the United Nations Elimination of Violence Against Women Day (EVAD), local MP David Taylor joined political colleagues to stand united in support of measures to tackle violence against women and girls.

David said “The Government has set out an ambitious strategy aiming to bring an end to violence against women and girls. Violence against women and girls is an obscenity. We are taking action to bring perpetrators to justice and protect and support victims, and also to challenge the attitude that attacks on women and girls are in any way acceptable. 

“As well as measures to further protect victims and tackle perpetrators, the ‘Together We Can End Violence Against Women and Girls’ strategy signals a new focus on preventing violence from happening.

“From 2011, preventing violence in relationships will be included in personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education, so attitudes which condone and perpetuate violence against women are addressed before they become entrenched in young people.”
Ends

Notes to Editors

The strategy sets out a range of actions for the police, local authorities, the NHS and government departments across three key areas – Protection, Provision and Prevention.

These include:

• more than £13 million of funding to help support victims of sexual and domestic violence;
• development of a national communications strategy designed to address attitudes towards VAWG among all members of the public;
• increased investment delivering a four-fold increase in Family Intervention Projects to support 10,000 families a year;
• the Training and Development Agency for Schools will address violence against women in the review of professional standards for teachers in 2010, to help ensure teachers have the skills they need to tackle violence against women and girls;
• development of a dedicated stalking and harassment helpline so emerging violence can be nipped in the bud;
• a new online directory of services for victims of violence against women and funding for new 24-hour sexual violence helpline;
• the piloting of Domestic Violence Protection Orders – or ‘Go’ orders - to exclude perpetrators from their homes and give victims space to apply for longer-term protection;
• a Health Taskforce examining the role of the NHS in response to victims of violence against women and girls will publish recommendations in the new year;
• development of a series of short films on violence against women and girls for patients on the NHS Choices website to supplement existing material on recognising domestic violence and seeking support.

Copies of ‘Together We Can End Violence Against Women and Girls’ strategy are available at www.homeoffice.gov.uk .

To view the domestic violence film on NHS Choices visit http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/domestic-violence/Pages/Introduction.aspx

PHOTO SUPPLIED: David Taylor MP shows his support for the White Ribbon Campaign, the largest international organisation targeting men to work towards ending male violence against women.