Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent steps she has taken to reduce levels of domestic violence.

The Government is committed to tackling the appalling crime of domestic violence and abuse. It is actively pursuing ways in which domestic violence and abuse can be prevented in the first place, doing even more to help victims, and
bringing more perpetrators to justice. In September 2013, the Home Secretary commissioned Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) to undertake a comprehensive review on how the police deal with domestic abuse. HMIC published its findings in March 2014 and highlighted serious police failings. In response, the Home Secretary has established a national oversight group to ensure that the police change the way they respond to domestic abuse, and made
clear to all chief constables that every police force must have an action plan in place. All forces have now produced plans that are being reviewed by HMIC.

The Government is also committed to providing the police with the tools they need to tackle domestic violence and abuse, and to ensure victims have the support they need to rebuild their lives. On 8 March, we announced the national
roll-out of Domestic Violence Protection Orders and the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme across England and Wales. The Government has additionally recently consulted on whether the law needs to be strengthened by creating a
specific offence of domestic abuse to offer the best possible protection to victims. That consultation has closed and responses are currently being analysed.

We have also ring-fenced £40 million of funding for specialist local support services and national helplines over this Parliament.

Latest data from the Crown Prosecution Service Violence against Women and Girls Crime Report 2013-2014 shows the volume of domestic violence referrals from the police rising to 103,569, the highest level ever. Prosecutions and convictions have risen by over 10% in the last year, with the conviction rate at its highest ever level at 74.6%.