Crime: Domestic Violence

Lord West of Spithead Excerpts

Thursday 14th February 2013 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Northover]

I agree with my noble friend. I also support the campaign that is occurring today, and DfID is supporting the campaign that will be seen in Cape Town today—which, in the light of the news this morning, is perhaps particularly relevant. My noble friend is right to highlight the way that we have taken this forward; there are, for example, two specific criminal offences of stalking that came into effect in March 2012, and the DPM announced in September the widening of the definition of domestic violence to include 16 to 17 year-olds and coercive behaviour. We are working very hard to bring greater protection for victims and to bring more offenders to justice. It is also important that we work with criminal justice professionals to ensure proper guidance and training so that we can support these changes in the legislation.

[Lord West of Spithead]

My Lords—

[Baroness Corston]

My Lords—

[Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead]

My Lords—

[Lord West of Spithead]

My Lords, I will give way to my noble friend Lady Corston.

[Baroness Corston]

My Lords, is the Minister aware that domestic violence is a major cause of women in this country ending up in prison? With which organisations in this country are the Government working to eradicate this drastic harm to all these lives?