Addressing Domestic Abuse

This has been so long coming. apple.news/AMd9RGJapQYCty…

My response to the reform of the criminal courts and funding for victims' services 👇

More and more survivors are telling me their devices and social media have been weaponised by abusers. The rise in referrals to Refuge’s tech safety team is a huge concern. Action is needed to ensure victims' safety is prioritised online. shorturl.at/jkiVB

Not "hidden" - ignored and denied. Domestic abuse and coercive control look very different if you don't, generally, believe women and children are reliable witnesses. The problem is bias, not observational skills. bbc.com/news/articles/…

Earlier this week, the CPS set out its five-year strategy on VAWG 🧵

She was just on her morning run. She was just walking home. She was just going out. She was just being a woman. itv.com/news/anglia/20…

25 November is the international day for the elimination of violence against women. This year, like every year for the past few, we’ll be posting the UK women killed by men since #IDEVAW last year. Starting at 8.30am and commemorating one woman every 5 mins.

Four police officers are facing misconduct proceedings over their handling of abuse allegations reported by Harshita Brella, who was later found dead in a car boot bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

My message for the start of #16Days 👇

Today we're launching our Spotting the Signs Challenge, developed in partnership with @TSB, to help more people recognise the signs of economic abuse. It only takes a few minutes to learn the signs but it could save a life. Take the challenge today: ow.ly/WNOR50XupkO

Thanks to our speakers at our National Learning Event. More pics to follow …

CONVICTED: On 22 July 2024, Laura Robson, 37, was assaulted and killed by a man at his house in Gateshead. Ben Hughes, 38, had met her a few days prior to the killing. He has been convicted of murder and sentenced to a minimum of 17.5 years.

We were delighted to host our National Learning event yesterday with such a brilliant line up of speakers. More pics to follow!

‘Violent partners will be allowed to “return to harassing, stalking and abusing” with impunity under a bill before parliament that is supposed to ease prison overcrowding, a watchdog has warned the lord chancellor. theguardian.com/society/2025/n… In a letter to David Lammy, the domestic abuse commissioner, Dame Nicole Jacobs, said the sentencing bill’s aim to re-release the vast majority of offenders recalled to prison after 56 days would mean that victims and survivors “will be put in harm’s way” and lead to “devastating consequences”.’

Welcome news that govt will ban strangulation in pornography & has extended the timeframe to report intimate image abuse. The tireless work of campaigners including @BertinGabby @InstituteFAS and @EVAWuk has delivered important change for survivors. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

On Supporting Male Victims of Domestic Abuse Day, I want to share the message that #MenYouAreNotAlone. Male victims face unique barriers to accessing services which reflect their experiences and needs. Visit the Men’s Advice Line if you need support mensadviceline.org.uk

This is the Timeline showing how a victim of coercive control may respond to the control and abuse. Not all victims will reach stage 8 but many get to Stage 6. We must understand the effects of entrapment and manage the offenders.

We are looking forward to our National Learning Event next week with a fantastic line up of speakers!

90,000 words later and I have finally handed in my first book. Excited/petrified at the thought of people reading it. It’s out next year and you can pre-order it now at Waterstones, Amazon and all the usual places. More details here: waterstones.com/book/left-to-r…