Relate Press Releases
DEC 14 2011 / Relate comment on domestic violence review released on 14 December 2011
Press statement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 14 December 2011
Commenting on the domestic violence review released today, 14 December 2011, John Loughton, Head of Public Policy, said:
“We welcome the government’s move to review the legal position and definition of domestic violence and abuse. It is crucial we recognise the broader reality - including emotional and psychological abuse as well as safeguarding the safety and rights of under 18s. However, government should not genderise this debate, men are also victims and abuse exists within same sex relationships.
“Given that one in three of Relate’s clients have been a victim of some form of domestic violence or abuse, either emotional or physical, it is vital that the law recognises the spectrum of abuse and its hugely damaging impact on couples and families.
“While criminalisation of domestic abuse is vital, it is only part of the solution. Government must invest in a broader package of support to help not only victims suffering right now, but preventative measures to curtail the cycle of abuse and stop these occurrences from happening.”
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Notes to editors:
- Relate’s vision is a future in which healthy relationships form the heart of a thriving society
- Relate’s services extend beyond couple counselling to family counselling, counselling for young people, online counselling, sex therapy and informal workshops
- Relate works in schools, primary care settings, prisons, and Children’s Centres
- Relate supports 150,000 people each year in over 600 locations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Relate has a work-force of 2,000 people nationwide
- For more information and advice visit: www.relate.org.uk