CAB - Momentum in tackling domestic abuse must be maintained

30 Jun 2015 09:39 AM

Citizens Advice has said that guidance to help people identify domestic abuse and support victims must be made more widely available to maintain welcome progress in criminal prosecutions.

The Crown Prosecution Service has revealed that a record 107,000 of people have been prosecuted for violence against women and girls offences.

Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said:

“Improvements in prosecuting domestic abuse send a strong signal that victims can get justice. This should give more people the confidence to come forward and report abuse.

“The momentum that has been built in tackling domestic abuse must now be maintained. Many people are not confident recognising when someone is in an abusive relationship or taking steps to help victims. To ensure no domestic abuse is overlooked, professionals, friends and family all need to be better equipped to identify and support those suffering at the hands of abusers.”

Local Citizens Advice help around 13,000 victims of domestic violence and coercive control every year.

Notes to editors

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local Citizens Advice, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
  3. To get advice online or find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk
  4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers.
  5. Local Citizens Advice in England and Wales advised 2.5 million clients on 6.2 million problems in 2014/15. For full service statistics see our publication Advice trends.