The Home Affairs Select Committee has announced an inquiry into Domestic Violence for late 2007/2008 (see below and link).
This is the best opportunity for a long long time to put the case directly that the needs of male victims are ignored and largely unackowledged despite the wealth of evidence (link).
It is now imperitive for men's groups to make their case in a accessible fashion.
COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES INQUIRY INTO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
The Home Affairs Committee today announced an inquiry entitled "Domestic Violence". The Committee will inquire into the effectiveness of government action following the coming into force of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 and other initiatives to raise awareness of and more effectively target domestic violence. The Committee's inquiry will seek to assess the implementation of these measures, in particular those in the Act and the effectiveness of existing legislation. It will look at their impact in terms of increased reporting and convictions, and whether greater support is being provided for victims.
In addition to the wider picture on domestic violence, the inquiry will encompass the specific issues of forced marriages and so-called 'honour killings'.
The Committee will consider the effectiveness of action across different areas, including:
• Public education and awareness-raising
• Police powers and legal protections for victims
• Criminal and civil justice processes, including the Specialist Domestic Violence Court Programme
• Support for victims, including finance and refuge services
• Perpetrator programmes
• Multi-agency approaches, and what barriers exist to their effective operation.
The Committee is seeking written submissions of no more than 2,500 words from interested parties, before it takes oral evidence on this inquiry. Organisations and individuals interested in making written submissions are invited to do so by Monday 1 October 2007. Further advice on making a submission can be found overleaf.
Oral evidence sessions will be held in late 2007/early 2008: further announcements will be made in due course.
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