Crime Reduction - Helping to Reduce Crime in Your Arrea

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action the Government is taking on domestic violence other than imprisonment of offenders. [176814]

Paul Goggins [holding answer 10 June 2004]: Domestic violence is a horrific crime, which claims the lives of around 2 women a week. This Government is determined to tackle it.

The Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill is the biggest overhaul of domestic violence legislation for 30 years. It is a key part of the Government's aim of putting victims at the heart of the criminal justice system and part of our wider domestic violence strategy to protect and support victims, as well as bringing perpetrators to justice.

A broad range of other initiatives are being taken forward by the Inter-Ministerial Group on Domestic Violence. These initiatives include important developments in health, education and housing as well as the civil and criminal justice systems. This year we are investing £56.97 million on domestic violence services as part of the Supporting People Program. Following a positive evaluation of the effectiveness of 5 specialist domestic violence courts in what further action we can take to improve Court Services for victims of domestic violence.

Last update: 29 July 2004