Domestic Violence
Brooks Newmark raises his concerns at the increase in reported incidents of domestic violence over the past year in comparison with a conviction rate of 5%
Mr. Brooks Newmark (Braintree) (Con): If she will make a statement on the Government's policy on assistance for victims of domestic violence. [195489]
The Minister for Equality (Barbara Follett): I welcome the number of men asking questions in this House today during women's questions. Although there are women here, none of them is asking a question on the Order Paper.
Delivering support for victims of domestic violence is at the heart of the Government's recently published action plan for tackling violence. Over the next three years, we are committed to ensuring that they and their families have access to the help that they need, including with accommodation, specialist counselling and legal and financial advice.
Mr. Newmark: Does the Minister share my concern that according to Home Office figures, domestic violence almost trebled from 241,00 to 658,000 incidents reported in the past year alone, yet the conviction rate for domestic violence is a paltry 5 per cent.?
Barbara Follett: No. As I said in response to the previous question, we count that as positive because- [Interruption.] Well, it means that people are coming forward to report such incidents. For a long time people were too frightened to report, and we are providing support. There has been an increase in convictions in Essex, as I know from my position as Minister for the East of England.
