§ Margaret MoranTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the group dealing with domestic violence perpetrators within the police force has met; and if he will make a statement. [110661]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthThe group dealing with domestic violence perpetrators within the police force will meet for the first time on 25 June 2003. The Association of Chief Police Officers hope to publish guidance relating to police perpetrators later in the summer.
I welcome the work being led by the ACPO in relation to domestic violence perpetrators in the police force and other domestic violence matters. There has been a real and positive shift in police responses to domestic violence incidents over the past few years and making further improvements in the police handling on domestic violence cases will be an important element in 559W our strategy to reduce domestic violence and protect victims. We will publish a consultation paper on that strategy shortly.