I am pleased to see the Government is introducing a series of measures to promote the awareness of domestic abuse, support victims, tackle perpetrators and improve services.

Government has made a total of 120 commitments to tackle this horrific crime, including the first ever statutory definition of domestic abuse. As part of the legislation we are barring abusers from cross-examining their victims in the family courts and giving courts greater powers, including new protection orders, to tackle this hideous crime.

The new measures will also include £8 million of Home Office funding to support children affected by domestic abuse, as well as supporting survivors by improving the protection for victims.

Domestic abuse shatters people’s lives. It has no social boundaries nor age limits. It cuts across all groups and ages. I welcome the new measures aimed at protecting the victims of domestic violence and their children, as well as supporting survivors.