I’m really pleased that the Government has announced new domestic abuse protection notices and domestic abuse protection orders.

And our town of Croydon is one of the first places to get these new orders. The new orders can force abusers to stay away from their victim, and they can enforce positive requirements, like attending behaviour change programmes. Breach of one of these orders is a criminal offence, punishable with up to five years in custody.

Domestic abuse protection orders mean enhanced protections for victims, and tough punishments for perpetrators.

I’m grateful to my colleagues in the Home Office, our local authority, local police, and local domestic abuse sector organisations for making this happen.

I am relieved and I am hopeful– knowing that these measures are in place to protect victims and survivors of domestic abuse in Croydon.

Alongside putting domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms, this is a significant step towards our Government’s mission of halving violence against women and girls in a decade.