Domestic abuse is not just a scourge on society, it was fatal to 173 people last year - five year high. That is an appalling statistic and we must do everything we can to reduce this shocking total. The number of killings is merely the start of it. Millions of people suffer very real physical and emotional abuse in their own homes - a place that should be a refuge not a battleground. And yet domestic abuse remains one of the trickiest forms of assault to tackle. That is why I am so pleased to see that Boris Johnson's Conservative Government is appointing the UK's first ever Domestic Abuse Commissioner to better protect victims of domestic abuse. We must always bear in mind that while the majority of victims domestic abuse are female, over 10% of men will at some stage in their lives suffer too. Domestic abuse is unacceptable and the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicola Jacobs, will support victims, reduce harm and improve the lives of those who experience it. The Commissioner will help identify those at risk and will also be able to publish reports that encourage good practice in preventing domestic abuse. It would work with councils, police, the NHS and other organisations to help identify those at risk of abuse and those perpetrating it. Ms Jacobs was chief executive of the Standing Together Against Domestic Violence charity. On taking up her appointment she said: 'This shows the Government's commitment to reducing harm and improving the lives of those who experience domestic abuse. I intend to raise the voices of victims and survivors and ensure that we shine a light on practice that fails them.' On top of this The Domestic Abuse Bill will introduce the first statutory government definition of domestic abuse to specifically include economic abuse and controlling and manipulative non-physical abuse. It will also prohibit the cross-examination of victims by their abusers in family courts and force attackers to take lie detector tests when they leave prison in a bid to prevent them re-offending. Home Secretary Priti Patel said: 'Domestic abuse is unacceptable, and I am absolutely determined to do all I can to make to protect victims and their families and ensure perpetrators face tough action.' I welcome this new position and look forward to real improvements in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland on this vital matter.
