Theresa May pledges to tackle domestic abuse in one of her last major acts as PM
THERESA MAY today vows to tackle the “vile crimes” of domestic abuse in one of her last major acts before leaving Downing Street.
The Prime Minister says that the Government also has a duty to support victims as a long-delayed bill is finally introduced.
It will see wife-beaters given “Asbos” forcing them to go to rehab or take anger management courses and stay away from family homes, while high-risk offenders risk being sent back to jail if they fail lie detector tests.
The landmark Domestic Abuse Bill also includes a legal definition that includes controlling a partner’s access to money as well as violence and threats, and creates a new watchdog to stand up for survivors.
Mrs May has also pledged to force all councils to give victims safe accommodation, in a victory for The Sun’s Give Me Shelter campaign.
The PM, who hosted a meeting at No 10 last week with charities and experts, said: “Domestic abuse can take many forms, from horrific physical violence to coercive behaviour that robs people of their self-esteem, their freedom and their right to feel safe in their own homes, but the immense bravery I’ve seen demonstrated by survivors is consistent throughout.
“We have a duty not only to bring the perpetrators of these vile crimes to justice, but to support victims as they rebuild their lives.”
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She first announced the law in February 2017 and it featured in the Tories’ election manifesto that year.
But the draft bill was not published until January and is only finally being introduced in Parliament today, just a week before Mrs May leaves office as she races to secure her legacy.
Sandra Horley CBE, chief executive of Refuge, welcomed the law but added: “It is essential that within the Bill there is a duty to provide sustainable funding for life-saving specialist domestic violence services, in particular refuges. Refuges are much more than a roof over a woman and child’s head – they provide emergency support and save lives.”
PM duck on Press Met row
THERESA May’s spokesman refused ten times to condemn Scotland Yard’s bid to muzzle the Press yesterday as the row over the leaked Sir Kim Darroch files deepened.
No 10 described freedom of the Press as “one of the foundations on which our democracy rests”.
But the PM’s spokesman refused to criticise Met Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu for threatening journalists with prosecution for publishing the leaked memos, saying: “No comment.”
Asked whether the police should tell the Press what to publish, he said: “When I say I am not going to comment, I am not going to do so.”
The Met say publishing the memos is a breach of the Official Secrets Act.
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