One in four women and one in six men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetimes, and in both my professional life as a criminal barrister before 2010 and as an MP who has campaigned on issues such as stalking and coercive control, tackling domestic abuse has long been a priority of mine.
During my time as Justice Secretary, the Domestic Abuse Bill was passed. I am proud to have taken this essential piece of legislation through the House of Commons, which provides victims of domestic abuse and their children with better support and protection. New Domestic Abuse Prevention orders will help safeguard more families from this harm, and the law on non-fatal strangulation, revenge pornography, and coercive control offences also provides further protection.
Last year, I was pleased that a number of pharmacies here in the town signed up for the New Government Domestic Abuse Initiative “Ask ANI” after I wrote to them. Anyone experiencing domestic abuse can walk into a registered “Ask for ANI” Pharmacy and seek confidential support and advice from trained staff.
I was further pleased to receive a letter recently from HSBUK to inform me that Safe Spaces has been launched, and on Monday, I was pleased to visit the branch in Swindon Town Centre to meet staff and customers and find out more about the new initiative.
Launched by the domestic abuse charity Hestia and its UK SAY NO MORE Campaign, with support from People’s Postcode Lottery fund, Space Spaces means that people experiencing domestic abuse can now also walk into any of the HSBC UK branches, including here in Swindon, and access a Safe Space where they can seek specialist support and advice.
Specialist training has been delivered to over 4,000 employees across the HSBC branch network to increase the availability of specialist support for victims of domestic abuse and provide a space for local people to phone a helpline, contact a support service, or talk to a friend or family member.
I am calling for all businesses here in Swindon, big or small, to sign up for these schemes and support staff and members of the public who are experiencing domestic abuse. Further details about the schemes can be found by visiting Safe Spaces Locations - UK SAYS NO MORE
You may have read in my previous columns that I have been running a local campaign here in Swindon to tackle the issue of speeding and anti-social vehicle behaviour. Last week, the Roads Policing Team carried out a day of action targeting those who fail to abide by the law of our roads. Several drivers were caught using a handheld mobile phone which is illegal, even when you are stopped at traffic lights, queuing in traffic, or supervising a learning driver. The road requires your full attention at all times and replying to or reading messages, no matter how important they seem could result in a serious accident and loss of life.
I was delighted to visit pupils and staff at Holy Family Primary school in Park North last Friday. Whilst at the school, I was asked to look at the entries the school has made for the Queens Jubilee Picture Competition. I am running a similar competition across South Swindon schools. My task was a very difficult one, as I made some, as yet, secret choices, as to the best pictures in each year group, which will be revealed to the students after the half-term holiday, during their own Jubilee celebrations. What a great way to mark seventy glorious years of our wonderful Queen on the Throne. Here’s to a great Platinum Jubilee, and I look forward to seeing you at some of the many celebrations taking place here across South Swindon.