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Closed petition Increase minimum and maximum sentences for domestic violence offences
As a victim who's suffered DV by men who had a history of it, and from talking to women within DV support groups discovering this happens frequently, I'm appalled by the sentences awarded by courts, many of which are unduly lenient sentences despite multiple previous convictions for DV.
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There is increased awareness of domestic violence, we now have Clare’s law and multiple ways to make it easier to report domestic violence. But when I keep hearing stories from women, sharing photos of the severity of their injuries and hearing how justice wasn't given in court I looked into statistics. In 2019 78,624 convictions 202 received custodial sentences. In the same year 80 women died from the hands of their partner. Sentences for domestic violence offences should be increased.
This petition is closed All petitions run for 6 months
Related activity
MPs investigate violence against women and girls
The House of Commons Home Affairs Committee are looking at how violence against women and girls is being addressed, and are specifically exploring the investigation and prosecution of rape.
We're messaging you to let you know about this because you signed a petition about sentences for domestic violence offences.
Read about the Home Affairs Committee's overarching inquiry into violence against women and girls: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1159/violence-against-women-and-girls/
Find out more about their work into the investigation and prosecution of rape: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1160/investigation-and-prosecution-of-rape/
Last week the Committee held the first evidence session of its inquiry into violence against women, where it heard from experts who are working to inform government at the national and local level, and from domestic abuse charities.
Find out more about this session: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/83/home-affairs-committee/news/155731/committee-takes-evidence-from-domestic-abuse-commissioner-refuge-and-centre-for-womens-justice-on-vawg/
Read a transcript of the session: https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/2320/pdf/
Follow the Committee on Twitter for updates on its work: @CommonsHomeAffs
What is the Home Affairs Committee?
The Home Affairs Committee is a cross-party group of MPs known as a 'select committee' which scrutinises the policy, administration and spending of the Home Office. The Committee is independent of the Government.
Find out more about the Committee:
https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/83/home-affairs-committee/
Find out how select committees work:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_2RDuDs44c