Domestic abusers who attack their partners are facing crackdown after Government unveils new tsar

Domestic abusers who attack their partners are facing crackdown after Government unveils new tsar to tackle violence in the home

  • Nicole Jacobs has been named country’s first Domestic Abuse Commissioner
  • The new tsar intends to ‘raise the voices of victims and survivors’ in her role
  • Appointment comes after number of domestic killings has hit a five-year high

Violent thugs who beat up their partners face a crackdown after the Government unveiled a new tsar to tackle the crime.

Nicole Jacobs has been named the country’s first Domestic Abuse Commissioner. 

The Home Office said her role will include ‘driving improvements on the response to domestic abuse and making recommendations on what more should be done to bring more offenders to justice’.

Miss Jacobs, who was chief executive of a domestic violence charity, said: ‘I intend to raise the voices of victims and survivors and ensure that we shine a light on practice that fails them.’

Nicole Jacobs has been named the country’s first Domestic Abuse Commissioner

The appointment comes after police figures last week revealed the number of domestic killings has hit a five-year high.

Data from 43 police forces across the UK revealed that 173 people were killed last year, an increase of 32 on 2017.

Research has shown that 30 per cent of women – about five million – and 16 per cent of men, or 2.5million, experience domestic abuse during their lives.

The creation of a commissioner to focus on the scourge was key proposal in the Domestic Abuse Bill, which was brought to Parliament in July by Theresa May when she was prime minister.

It was delayed when her successor Boris Johnson suspended Parliament but he has pledged to reintroduce it in next month’s Queen’s Speech.

Ms Jacobs, who was chief executive of the Standing Together Against Domestic Violence charity, said: ‘This shows the Government’s commitment to reducing harm and improving the lives of those who experience domestic abuse.’

The appointment comes after police figures last week revealed the number of domestic killings has hit a five-year high (stock photo)

The appointment comes after police figures last week revealed the number of domestic killings has hit a five-year high (stock photo)

The Home Office said the role would include ‘driving improvements on the response to domestic abuse, championing victims and making recommendations on what more should be done to better protect victims and bring more offenders to justice’.

It would work with councils, police, the NHS and other organisations to help identify those at risk of abuse and those perpetrating it.

Ms Jacobs will also work to end the postcode lottery in support for those fleeing violent partners.

Thousands seeking refuge from abusive and violent relationships could be better protected by a new legal duty for councils to provide secure homes for them and their children.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: 'Domestic abuse is unacceptable, and I am absolutely determined to do all I can to make to protect victims and their families and ensure perpetrators face tough action'

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: ‘Domestic abuse is unacceptable, and I am absolutely determined to do all I can to make to protect victims and their families and ensure perpetrators face tough action’

The Domestic Abuse Bill will introduce the first statutory government definition of domestic abuse to specifically include economic abuse and controlling and manipulative non-physical abuse.

It will also prohibit the cross-examination of victims by their abusers in family courts and force attackers to take lie detector tests when they leave prison in a bid to prevent them re-offending.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: ‘Domestic abuse is unacceptable, and I am absolutely determined to do all I can to make to protect victims and their families and ensure perpetrators face tough action.’ 

Councillor Katrina Wood, of the Local Government Association, said: ‘This appointment is a positive step to help tackle domestic abuse. We look forward to working with the commissioner on further measures to improve work to support more victims and stop this devastating crime.’

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