Labour pledge tougher stance on domestic violence

Labour’s Westminster candidate for the Vale of Glamorgan, Cllr Elmore, has said that domestic violence is a growing problem that needs to be tackled.

Reacting to the news that Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has pledged to toughen the laws on perpetrators of domestic violence Cllr Elmore said: "Domestic violence is a heinous crime and can ruin the lives of victims.

"I am delighted to see that the next Labour Government will penalise perpetrators more heavily and take greater steps to protect victims."

The Shadow Home Secretary has also pledged to ban the use of community based resolutions and other minor punishments handed out to people brought to court on domestic abuse charges.

These resolutions do not result in criminal records for those who commit the offence, preventing perpetrators from effectively being brought to justice.

Coun Elmore said: “Women are the most likely to become victims. It is shocking that two women are killed by their partner or ex each week.

"These ugly figures show the extent of what often goes unnoticed. It is vital that not only do we penalise perpetrators, we protect and support victims who often lose a lot on their way out of an abusive relationship.

“Too many women get trapped in a cycle of violence and are too afraid of how they will manage with childcare arrangements if they leave their violent partner.

"Victims need to be provided with support, tailored to their specific needs.

“We need all agencies to work together and that’s why I am proud to see the Labour-led Vale Council become a White Ribbon Council, pledging to work with partners and others to show zero-tolerance to violence against women and mitigate the impact it has on people right across the country.

“This is an issue which is emotive and difficult to talk about for many, but it is a growing problem which needs urgent action to curb. Too many lives will be wrecked if domestic violence does not become higher on the political agenda."