The Victims’ Commissioner, Baroness Newlove visited Dorset today to meet with the victims of Domestic Abuse and hear first-hand their experiences. She was also keen see how victim services are being delivered across the county.
She met with the Police & Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill, the Chief Constable of Dorset Police, James Vaughan, and a number of domestic abuse practitioners to find out first hand what’s happening at ground level. The Victims’ Commissioner wants to use their experiences and knowledge to provide feedback to the Government on the Domestic Abuse Bill Consultation which closes at the end of May.
Baroness Newlove said, “Its vital that the Victim’s voice is represented in the Consultation and I intend to do just that. I have been visiting Police and Crime Commissioners and Forces all over the country to find out about how they support victims of crime and with the Consultation happening, my particular focus for my recent visits has been on the victims of Domestic Abuse. Too many victims are suffering in silence. We need to give them the confidence to come forward and report and then be sure that we are able to support them in re-building their lives”.
PCC Martyn Underhill said, ‘ I would like to thank Baroness Newlove for coming to Dorset to find out more about what we are doing for victims of Domestic Abuse and I am proud and humbled by the work that’s being done across the county to provide that support. Its vital that we find new ways to focus attention on this issue and I think we have done just that with the ‘Cut Your Strings’ campaign, which raises awareness of controlling and coercive behaviour being a form of domestic abuse and I would encourage everyone to find out more about the campaign”
