Home Affairs Committee to conduct inquiry into Domestic Violence and Abuse

In advance of the Government’s promised draft Bill on domestic violence and abuse, the Committee is seeking evidence on what measures and reforms are needed to address one of the most damaging and prevalent crimes

As well as addressing legislation, the inquiry will consider what other policies should be pursued for the Government’s strategy to be most effective. 

Announcing the new inquiry, the Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee, Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, said:

“Domestic violence and abuse destroys lives, wrecks families, damages children’s futures and undermines women’s equality. The most recent statistics show that 242 women were killed by a partner or an ex-partner over three years – almost 7 each month.

“Domestic violence and abuse are among the most prevalent crimes we face with nearly two million victims a year - and it is also one of the most damaging. The scale of the problem and the damage it causes for generations makes a national crisis. 

“On International Women’s Day, we are asking for people to help us determine what more needs to be done by Government, the police, local communities, public and private sector organisations and the criminal justice system.

“In this centenary year of the first women’s votes, Parliament is rightly paying tribute to the battle for women’s equality in generations past. But we also need to focus on the battle for women’s equality still ahead of us. That is the work this Home Affairs Select Committee inquiry will contribute to now.”