MP’s bid to stop abuse of women (From Echo)

MP’s bid to stop abuse of women

5:30am Saturday 28th November 2009

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A NEW plan to combat violence against women and girls has been backed by Basildon MP Angela Smith.

Mrs Smith, who is charities minister at the Cabinet Office, said the Government strategy to prevent more cases of women being abused by men was crucial.

Under the plans, police and courts will be given powers to ban people from victim’s homes for as long as a month, allowing for time to apply for extended protection orders.

There will be a long-term campaign to raise awareness of the problem and about £13million will be spent on services and groups caring for female victims of violence.

Mrs Smith, a patron of Basildon Women’s Aid, said: “Violence against women and girls ruins lives, breaks up families and has a lasting impact across the generations.

“Much has been done over recent years to increase protection for women and to punish their attackers with new legislation, extra resources and front-line training.

“Now we need to increase our focus on prevention.”

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