Domestic abuse campaign: Why domestic abuse is not just physical violence and how can you receive support

The bill will create a statutory definition of domestic abuse, emphasising that it is not just physical violence but can also be emotional, coercive or controlling and economic abuse.

Its progress is significant with Peterborough currently starting its own domestic abuse campaign - Peterborough says no more.

PETERBOROUGH SAYS NO MORE ARTICLES

Peterborough says no more: Organisations promise to take action on domestic abuse

Why the Peterborough Telegraph is supporting the city’s new domestic abuse campaign

Peterborough says no more: How you can make a difference to support domestic abuse victims

The bill, if passed in its current format, will also do the following:

. Establish in law the office of Domestic Abuse Commissioner and set out the commissioner’s functions and powers

. Place a duty on councils in England to provide support to victims of domestic abuse and their children in refuges and other safe accommodation

. Ban alleged perpetrators of abuse from cross-examining their alleged victims in person in the civil and family courts in England and Wales

. Create a statutory presumption that victims of domestic abuse are eligible for special measures in the criminal, civil and family courts

. Enable domestic abuse offenders to be subject to polygraph testing as a condition of their licence following their release from custody

. Provide that all eligible homeless victims of domestic abuse automatically have priority need for homelessness assistance.

Locally, the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Partnership brings together key agencies with the aim of reducing the harm, risks and costs associated with domestic abuse and sexual violence and to prevent these crimes occurring.

Its website - https://www.cambsdasv.org.uk/website/home - lists places victims can receive support, as well as online training and resources.

Local contacts

All the below accept self-referrals:

. Cambridge Women’s Aid (City/South/East) 01223 361214 www.cambridgewa.org.uk

. Refuge (Fenland/Hunts/Peterborough) 07787 255821 www.refuge.org.uk

. Peterborough Women’s Aid 08454 103123 http://www.peterboroughwomensaid.co.uk/

. Cambridge Rape Crisis 01223 245888 www.caprcp.org.uk

. Peterborough Rape Crisis 01733 852578 www.caprcp.org.uk

. The Elms Sexual Assault Referral Centre 0800 193 5434 www.theelmssarc.org

. Victim & Witness Hub 0800 781 6818 https://www.cambsvictimservices.co.uk/support-for-victims/victims-and-witness-hub.