Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden, has welcomed the Domestic Abuse Bill, which passed through all stages of its parliamentary process last week.
Every year, Nusrat receives an overwhelming number of correspondence from Wealden constituents regarding the issue of domestic violence and abuse. This landmark legislation represents a huge achievement and will make an enormous difference to all victims of domestic abuse.
The Bill recognises children as victims of this heinous crime and aims to strengthen rules surrounding controlling or coercive behaviour, target revenge porn and end the "rough sex defence" in court. It will further improve the effectiveness of the justice system in bringing perpetrators to justice and to strengthen the protection and support for victims.
Alongside the significant provisions of the Domestic Abuse Act, the Government has introduced the Modern Slavery Act, outlawed upskirting, created the offences of coercive control and stalking (and doubled the maximum sentence), criminalised the sending or threatening to send revenge porn, passed a new Victims’ Code, and increased funding for Rape Support Centres, helplines and refuge spaces.
Nusrat Ghani said: "It is a sad but inescapable truth that domestic abuse is a horrific reality for many people in Wealden and across the UK. For the past five years I have been campaigning to get the law to recognise all forms of domestic abuse as a crime as well as to ensure additional resources to support victims. I supported the campaign to end a “rough sex defence” and I’m pleased to see this new clause enshrined in the Bill. I continue to work with Sussex Police on a coordinated campaign across Wealden which attempts to reach victims and ensure they are supported and kept safe. I am pleased that this landmark legislation is finally in place to protect and support victims of domestic abuse and their children, and to bring perpetrators to justice.”
