On Wednesday 2nd October, Theresa May spoke in the House of Commons during the Second Reading of the Domestic Abuse Bill, which was introduced to Parliament by her Government in July.
The Bill aims to raise awareness and understanding about the devastating impact of domestic abuse on victims and their families; improve the effectiveness of the justice system in providing protection for victims of domestic abuse and bringing perpetrators to justice and strengthen the support for victims of abuse by statutory agencies.
The Domestic Abuse Bill will create a definition of domestic abuse in law to underpin other measures in the bill. It will also establish a Domestic Abuse Commissioner, to stand up for victims and survivors, raise public awareness, monitor the response of local authorities, the justice system and other statutory agencies and hold them to account in tackling domestic abuse; provide for a new Domestic Abuse Protection Notice and Domestic Abuse Protection Order and prohibit perpetrators of abuse from cross-examining their victims in person in the family courts.
The Deputy-Speaker called a vote at the end of the debate and it was agreed unanimously that the Bill should move to the next legislative stage.
Theresa May said: "I'm pleased the Domestic Abuse Bill has passed its Second Reading in the House of Commons. Around 2 million adults are victims of domestic abuse each year. It accounts for a third of all violent crime and inflicts immeasurable damage to our society."
Theresa's contribution to the debate can be found online here.
