In the UK, one in three women will experience some form of domestic abuse in their lifetime. It is the most common reported crime in Hertfordshire.
It is vital that we do more to support victims. Home should be a place of safety and security for all of us. These crimes not only impact the victims of domestic abuse they also have a long-lasting impact on children. Children seeing a violent parent can lead younger people to committing violence later in life. So, tackling domestic abuse has to be a priority for us all.
Whilst it will take more than just the police to make this happen, they will play a leading role by working in communities and partnerships across other agencies and the voluntary sector.
The needs of victims will always be my top priority. Crime ruins lives and devastates families. And all victims are entitled to protection from the police and access to the criminal justice service.