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Domestic violence killings in UK at five-year high Domestic violence killings in UK at five-year high
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The number of domestic violence killings has reached a five-year high, figures show. The number of people killed in domestic violence incidents in the UK has reached a five-year high, official figures show.
Data obtained by the BBC from 43 police forces across the UK reveal that 173 people died in domestic violence-related homicides last year. Data from 43 police forces revealed that 173 people were killed in domestic violence-related homicides last year, an increase of 32 on 2017. About three-quarters of the victims of domestic killings by a partner, ex-partner or family member were women. Suspects were predominantly male.
The statistics, reported on Friday, show there were 165 such killings in 2014, 160 in 2015, 139 in 2016 and 141 in 2017. The statistics, based on freedom of information data obtained by the BBC, discovered that there had been 165 domestic killings in 2014, 160 in 2015, 139 in 2016 and 141 in 2017.
While both men and women are killed by domestic violence, the majority of victims are women. In England and Wales between April 2014 and March 2017 around three-quarters of victims of domestic killings were women while suspects are predominantly male. Prof Elizabeth Yardley, a Birmingham City University criminologist, said domestic homicides did not come of the blue. “Perpetrators don’t ‘lose it’ and victims don’t ‘provoke’ it,” she said.
The data emerged after Boris Johnson pledged to reintroduce domestic abuse legislation in the next Queen’s speech. The prime minister tweeted on Thursday: “Domestic abuse shatters lives and tears families apart. We are fully committed to tackling this horrific crime – which is why the Queen’s speech will confirm we will be reintroducing domestic abuse legislation in the next session.” “A perpetrator’s desire for control is what drives domestic abuse and homicide. Abusers will gradually strip away a victim’s sense of identity and personhood so that they become dependent on the perpetrator and isolated from sources of support. The perpetrator will cause them to lose their friends, family and employment. This makes them easier to control and removes any critical voices.”
Sir James Munby, the former president of the family division of the high court of England and Wales, has called for the domestic abuse bill to be brought back before parliament. Boris Johnson has pledged to reintroduce domestic abuse legislation in the next Queen’s speech. On Thursday, the prime minister tweeted: “Domestic abuse shatters lives and tears families apart. We are fully committed to tackling this horrific crime – which is why the Queen’s speech will confirm we will be reintroducing domestic abuse legislation in the next session.”
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Thursday: “This is a vitally important bill, tackling what everyone agrees is a very great social evil. It is immensely depressing nothing effective has been done to get this necessary reform through parliament.” Sir James Munby, a former president of the family division of the high court of England and Wales, had called for the domestic abuse bill to be brought back before parliament as soon as possible. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said: “This is a vitally important bill, tackling what everyone agrees is a very great social evil. It is immensely depressing nothing effective has been done to get this necessary reform through parliament.
Munby added: “The bill must be reintroduced in parliament as soon as the next session starts. It must then be pursued to the earliest possible conclusion of the parliamentary process with determination, vigour and a real sense of urgent commitment on the part of government. “The bill must be reintroduced in parliament as soon as the next session starts. It must then be pursued to the earliest possible conclusion of the parliamentary process with determination, vigour and a real sense of urgent commitment on the part of government.”
“What the prime minister does or not will be a vital litmus test of his real commitment to safeguarding those in our society who are vulnerable, disadvantaged and oppressed.” The domestic abuse bill was introduced in parliament in July, promising to give better protection to those fleeing violence by placing a new legal duty on councils to provide secure homes for them and their children. It would also introduce the first legal government definition of domestic abuse, which would include economic abuse and controlling and manipulative non-physical behaviour.
The domestic abuse bill was introduced in parliament in July. The proposals would give better protection to those fleeing violence by placing a new legal duty on councils to provide secure homes for them and their children. Karla McLaren, Amnesty International UK’s government and political relations manager, said bringing back the bill would be a huge relief to many, but that the announcement should result in “meaningful change for all survivors”.
It would also introduce the first legal government definition of domestic abuse, which would include economic abuse and controlling and manipulative non-physical behaviour. “So far the existing bill has neglected to meet the specific needs of migrant women who find it hard to access life-saving services such as refuges and are often too scared to report abuse for fear they’ll be referred to the Home Office and detained or deported,” she said.
A row erupted earlier this month over the former prime minister Theresa May’s decision to honour her favourite cricketer, Geoffrey Boycott, who was was convicted in France in 1998 of beating up his then girlfriend in a Riviera hotel. Theresa May was criticised this month over her decision to honour the cricketer Geoffrey Boycott, who was convicted in France in 1998 of beating up his then girlfriend in a Riviera hotel.
While campaigners said it was sending a “dangerous message” that “domestic abuse is not taken seriously as a crime”, Boycott said he “couldn’t give a toss” about criticism of his knighthood. Campaigners said it sent a dangerous message that domestic abuse was not taken seriously as a crime. Boycott caused anger by saying he “couldn’t give a toss” about the criticism.
• In the UK, the domestic violence helpline is 0808 2000 247. In Australia, the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. In the US, the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org In the UK, the domestic violence helpline is 0808 2000 247. In Australia, the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. In the US, the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org
Domestic violenceDomestic violence
Crime
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