Domestic Abuse Bill will help Norwich

Last night, MPs voted on the landmark Domestic Abuse Bill which will see victims of this heinous crime better protected and ensure perpetrators are punished.

Millions of people have suffered domestic abuse – it is unacceptable, and the reason why it is so important we shine a light on it and tackle this heinous crime.

That is why the Government introduced the ground-breaking Domestic Abuse Bill, which will strengthen protections for victims, whilst also tackling perpetrators at the earliest stage and ensuring they feel the full force of the law. New measures recently added by the Government will see emergency housing prioritised for victims, remove the ‘rough sex’ defence which has allowed perpetrators to evade justice and ensure children are treated as victims in their own right, opening up support and services to them to overcome their traumatic experiences.

With this bill, which has been widely welcomed by charities and stakeholders, and by bolstering law enforcement, we will keep victims safe and ensure survivors of this horrendous crime get the support they need to rebuild their lives knowing justice has been done.

Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North, who has campaigned on these issues for some years with local organisations like Leeway, and in particular in memory of murdered Norwich woman Kerri McAuley, said:

“After years of work, it is fantastic to see the Domestic Abuse Bill passed in the Commons. It will help many people in Norwich. I sincerely hope that what was done to Kerri McAuley, and too many others, may not happen again.”