Response to Home Secretary’s change to Policing Bill

SafeLives welcome the Home Secretary’s announcement today that she is laying down an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Court Bill to include domestic abuse and sexual violence within its definition of ‘serious violence’. This amendment will make it clear to local authorities, police forces and other agencies that they must address domestic abuse and sexual violence to the same degree as knife crime and homicide.

These changes to the wording of the legislation will be an important step in achieving the wholesale reform needed to bring perpetrators to justice and protect adult and child victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

This new statutory underpinning has the potential to boost vital multi-agency efforts to tackle and prevent domestic abuse, keeping families safe sooner.

Thank you to all those, including our Pioneers, who shared their voice to help make this change. Together we can and will work to end domestic abuse for everyone, for good.