My response to the reform of the criminal courts and funding for victims' services 👇
ALT Dame Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner, said: “It’s clear we need reform and greater investment in the court system and victim services if we’re to build back trust and ensure that victims see justice delivered.
“But ultimately what I hear most from survivors is how the lack of understanding amongst court professionals of domestic abuse and how it manifests is retraumatising and destabilising. No single reform to the court structure will change this. This is why we must see a deeper knowledge and understanding of domestic abuse and its impact developed at every level of the judiciary and at every stage of the court process. It’s critical that victims feel confident that their experience will be heard and responded to in a way that doesn’t perpetuate further harm.”
More and more survivors are telling me their devices and social media have been weaponised by abusers.
The rise in referrals to Refuge’s tech safety team is a huge concern.
Action is needed to ensure victims' safety is prioritised online.
shorturl.at/jkiVB
Not "hidden" - ignored and denied.
Domestic abuse and coercive control look very different if you don't, generally, believe women and children are reliable witnesses.
The problem is bias, not observational skills.
bbc.com/news/articles/cy8j71…
25 November is the international day for the elimination of violence against women. This year, like every year for the past few, we’ll be posting the UK women killed by men since #IDEVAW last year. Starting at 8.30am and commemorating one woman every 5 mins.
Four police officers are facing misconduct proceedings over their handling of abuse allegations reported by Harshita Brella, who was later found dead in a car boot bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1m8…
Today we're launching our Spotting the Signs Challenge, developed in partnership with @TSB, to help more people recognise the signs of economic abuse.
It only takes a few minutes to learn the signs but it could save a life.
Take the challenge today: ow.ly/WNOR50XupkO
ALT The question "Would you recognise the signs of economic abuse?" is overlaid on a purple background. A white arrow points towards the words "Take the challenge" on a dark blue banner.
CONVICTED: On 22 July 2024, Laura Robson, 37, was assaulted and killed by a man at his house in Gateshead. Ben Hughes, 38, had met her a few days prior to the killing. He has been convicted of murder and sentenced to a minimum of 17.5 years.
‘Violent partners will be allowed to “return to harassing, stalking and abusing” with impunity under a bill before parliament that is supposed to ease prison overcrowding, a watchdog has warned the lord chancellor.
theguardian.com/society/2025…
In a letter to David Lammy, the domestic abuse commissioner, Dame Nicole Jacobs, said the sentencing bill’s aim to re-release the vast majority of offenders recalled to prison after 56 days would mean that victims and survivors “will be put in harm’s way” and lead to “devastating consequences”.’
Welcome news that govt will ban strangulation in pornography & has extended the timeframe to report intimate image abuse.
The tireless work of campaigners including @BertinGabby@InstituteFAS and @EVAWuk has delivered important change for survivors.
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyk…
On Supporting Male Victims of Domestic Abuse Day, I want to share the message that #MenYouAreNotAlone.
Male victims face unique barriers to accessing services which reflect their experiences and needs.
Visit the Men’s Advice Line if you need support mensadviceline.org.uk/
This is the Timeline showing how a victim of coercive control may respond to the control and abuse. Not all victims will reach stage 8 but many get to Stage 6.
We must understand the effects of entrapment and manage the offenders.
90,000 words later and I have finally handed in my first book. Excited/petrified at the thought of people reading it.
It’s out next year and you can pre-order it now at Waterstones, Amazon and all the usual places.
More details here: waterstones.com/book/left-to…