Roger Hirst, PFCC for Essex, responds to Domestic Abuse Bill

Roger Hirst, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, has today welcomed measures set out in the Domestic Abuse Bill. The Bill includes the introduction of a statutory definition of domestic abuse, establishing a Domestic Abuse Commissioner, prohibiting the cross-examination of victims by their abusers in the family courts and introducing Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Domestic Abuse Protection Orders. Roger Hirst said: “Domestic Abuse is an abhorrent crime that destroys lives and causes significant harm to victims. We have worked hard in Essex to encourage victims to come forward and to ensure they get the support they need to cope and recover. We have invested in new specialist support services to offer a more consistent and accessible service to victims as well as investing in pilot projects that disrupt abusive behaviour and prevent it escalating. “The Domestic Abuse Bill is a powerful set of measures that will help crack down on persistent offenders, safeguard the vulnerable and gives significantly stronger powers to provide immediate protection to the victims of crime. Giving victims a voice and empowering them, their communities and professionals to challenge abusive behaviour is a vital shift in how we tackle this crime and one that we welcome.”