§ Ms MoranTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make an announcement on the review of domestic violence policy. [53497]
§ Mr. MichaelOur intention is to do everything we can to give an impetus to policy on domestic violence and implement initiatives as soon as possible, rather than to conduct a formal time-limited review. To address domestic violence, we have implemented the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and Part IV of the Family Law Act 1996. We have issued guidance on the Crime and Disorder Act setting out our expectation that local crime reduction partnerships will identify the level of domestic violence in their area and incorporate a strategy for tackling it in their wider crime reduction strategy.
We are now seeking further research evidence about domestic violence and improved statistics; and to publicise this and raise awareness of how domestic violence can best be tackled in future.
Women have a more severe experience of domestic violence than men. Our policy is to reflect that fact in everything we do. Our policy is being developed in parallel with measures to address all forms of violence against women.