“Tackling domestic abuse is an issue that councils take very seriously which is why we support further measures to improve work with local partners to help support more victims and stop this horrendous crime."
Responding to confirmation from the Prime Minister that the Domestic Abuse Bill will be part of the Queen’s Speech, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, Cllr Simon Blackburn, said: “As part of our #CouncilsCan campaign, we have been calling for greater action to reduce and eventually eliminate domestic abuse and stressing the need for a Domestic Abuse Bill. We are pleased the Prime Minister has pledged to reintroduce the Domestic Abuse Bill as part of the Queen’s Speech.
“Tackling domestic abuse is an issue that councils take very seriously which is why we support further measures to improve work with local partners to help support more victims and stop this horrendous crime.
“In order to prevent it happening in the first place there should be a greater focus on prevention and early intervention measures to tackle the root causes and support more victims, including greater investment in perpetrator programmes to stop domestic abuse from happening in the first place.
“The ability of councils to fund services for victims is limited by significant pressures on their budgets, with local authorities increasingly being forced to prioritise spending for those at immediate risk of harm, rather than on vital earlier support services and prevention schemes which help stop domestic abuse.
“It is important that any legislative changes in the Bill are matched with adequate resources and funding.”