Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill has given his support to two important campaigns – Eve’s Law and a petition in support of schools teaching risks of Female Genital Mutilation.
The campaign for Eve’s Law was started by Domestic Abuse survivor Eve Thomas. She is lobbing the Government to introduce Eve’s Law,which calls for victims of domestic violence to be able to keep their addresses secret in court.
Martyn Underhill said: “It is important that the needs of victims are put first. Victims of domestic abuse are being placed at risk when forced to give their safe address in open court in unrelated proceedings. This places the victim at risk from the abuser and also could prevent other victims coming forward.”
In addition, Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill has signed a petition to raise awareness of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) amongst teachers and parents. The petition, which started in early February has attracted nearly 250,000 signatures. It was handed toSecretary of State for Education Michael Gove on Tuesday 25 February 2014.
Martyn Underhill said: “FGM is a form of child abuse and we must work together to stop it. It is right we raise awareness of the practice and help protect those most at risk”.
FGM, sometimes called female circumcision, involves the removal or partial removal of external female genital organs and is illegal in the UK.
