CPS Public Policy Exchange: Tackling the Hidden Landscape of Domestic Abuse and ‘Honour’ Based Violence

It is now four years since the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act gained Royal Assent, promising "the biggest overhaul of laws on domestic violence since the 1970s" with "tough new powers for the police and courts to protect victims and prosecute abusers".

Although recent statistics released by the Government Equalities Office demonstrate that progress has been made in tackling domestic violence, significant challenges still remain to ensure that all those at risk receive the support and protection they need.  Despite the increase in prosecution and conviction rates, domestic violence is still synonymous with chronic under-reporting and a postcode lottery in terms of access to support services for victims.  Furthermore, Ministers now acknowledge that it is time to step up the fight against ‘honour’ based violence, which is estimated to affect up to 17,000 women in this country every year - An Action Plan to tackle the issue is expected to follow soon.  The ‘Honour Network’, a dedicated forced marriage and ‘honour’ based violence helpline was set up earlier this year, with the aid of Home Office funding.

This special Public Policy Exchange symposium, hosted by the Centre for Parliamentary Studies offers a timely opportunity for local practitioners, police/probation service, health and other stakeholders to explore how the gaps in service provision can be plugged by a more effective implementation at the local level of the National Domestic Violence Delivery Plan.  The event will take place on Thursday 13 November 2008 at the One Whitehall Place, Westminster, London.

Delegates will also consider the steps needed to construct a robust framework for dealing with ‘honour’ based violence which has, until recently, remained a largely ‘underground’ phenomenon.  As well as focusing on how sensitive cultural barriers can be overcome to encourage more reporting of ‘honour’ abuse, the afternoon session will tackle issues around better support and protection for victims.  In addition, the session will examine how a cross-Government action plan would instil public confidence in the criminal justice system to ensure sufficient punishment and deterrence against ‘honour’ based crime.

The speaker line-up includes:

• Deborah Jameson, Policy Advisor, Domestic Violence Unit, Department of Health
• Chief Constable Brian Moore, Domestic Violence Lead, The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)
• Nazir Afzal OBE, Director (West London), Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
• Philip Balmforth, Vulnerable Persons Officer (Asian Female), Bradford District
• Prof. Aisha Gill, Professor of Criminology, Roehampton University

For an Overview and Registration details, please refer to the official website of this PPE event.  Please feel free to circulate this information to relevant colleagues within your institutions.  Should you/your colleagues wish to attend, please contact PPE direct in order to secure your delegate place(s).


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