This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7932080.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Tougher powers to target abusers | Tougher powers to target abusers |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A consultation to tackle violence against women in England and Wales has been announced by ministers. | A consultation to tackle violence against women in England and Wales has been announced by ministers. |
| It will consider applying more powers against those convicted of domestic violence, and better ways to pass information between police forces. | It will consider applying more powers against those convicted of domestic violence, and better ways to pass information between police forces. |
| Ministers are also considering giving police the right to ban offenders from the family home for a fortnight. | Ministers are also considering giving police the right to ban offenders from the family home for a fortnight. |
| In 2007, 142 people died in UK attacks, including 38 men, and there are thought to be thousands of abuse cases a year. | In 2007, 142 people died in UK attacks, including 38 men, and there are thought to be thousands of abuse cases a year. |
| Home Secretary Jacqui Smith told the BBC: "Any violence against women, inside the home, or outside the home, is unacceptable. | Home Secretary Jacqui Smith told the BBC: "Any violence against women, inside the home, or outside the home, is unacceptable. |
| National debate | National debate |
| "In my book, it doesn't matter the situation, it doesn't matter the context, women and girls shouldn't be the subject of violence." | "In my book, it doesn't matter the situation, it doesn't matter the context, women and girls shouldn't be the subject of violence." |
| Ms Smith has called for a national debate on the issue and has asked police to report back on the powers they need to get a grip on the problem. | Ms Smith has called for a national debate on the issue and has asked police to report back on the powers they need to get a grip on the problem. |
| She said the consultation may also consider sharing information on those convicted with women going into relationships. | She said the consultation may also consider sharing information on those convicted with women going into relationships. |
| A government roadshow will canvas views on the issue in 40 towns and cities. | |
| FROM BBC RADIO 5 LIVE More from BBC Radio 5 live | FROM BBC RADIO 5 LIVE More from BBC Radio 5 live |
| Ch Con Brian Moore, who leads on anti-domestic violence measures for the Association of Chief Police Officers, told the BBC he believed people would welcome the initiative. | |
| He said: "Many people listening to us will think, yes, if I knew that somebody was coming into my household as my new partner who was dangerous and who had been a previous abuser of people like me and my children, I would want to know." | |
| However, Ms Smith was shouted down at a round-table discussion to mark the launch of of the consultation by a campaigner who accused her of "gimmicks" and "spin". | |
| Sandra Horley, chief executive of Refuge, told the minister: "Police can't be expected to monitor relationships and love lives of offenders." | Sandra Horley, chief executive of Refuge, told the minister: "Police can't be expected to monitor relationships and love lives of offenders." |
| "The government is hoping to get away with useless initiatives like this register and it is hypocritical to sound tough and do little." | "The government is hoping to get away with useless initiatives like this register and it is hypocritical to sound tough and do little." |
| Inquiry launched | |
| The announcement comes as the BBC learns an independent inquiry will be launched into the police handling of the fatal stabbing of a 24-year-old woman by her ex-partner. | The announcement comes as the BBC learns an independent inquiry will be launched into the police handling of the fatal stabbing of a 24-year-old woman by her ex-partner. |
| Katie Summers, also known as Katie Boardman, was killed in a frenzied attack by Brian Taylor in October 2008. | Katie Summers, also known as Katie Boardman, was killed in a frenzied attack by Brian Taylor in October 2008. |
| Officers were called to Ms Summers' house in Farnworth, near Bolton, four times in the days leading up to her murder, it emerged. | Officers were called to Ms Summers' house in Farnworth, near Bolton, four times in the days leading up to her murder, it emerged. |
| The Independent Police Complaints Commission will examine whether police acted appropriately and what records they kept about the abuse. | The Independent Police Complaints Commission will examine whether police acted appropriately and what records they kept about the abuse. |
| Taylor was later convicted of Ms Summers' murder and sentenced to life in prison. | |
| The latest Home Office figures for 2007/8 show 2.2% of women of any age said their partner used minor or severe force against them over the last year. The figure for men was slightly lower at 2.0%. | The latest Home Office figures for 2007/8 show 2.2% of women of any age said their partner used minor or severe force against them over the last year. The figure for men was slightly lower at 2.0%. |
| Across all age ranges, one in four women have been abused compared with one in six men. | Across all age ranges, one in four women have been abused compared with one in six men. |
| Have you been affected by domestic abuse in any way? What do you think of these plans? Send us your experiences and comments using the form below: | Have you been affected by domestic abuse in any way? What do you think of these plans? Send us your experiences and comments using the form below: |
| Name |