The Labour Party in Swindon, comprising of the North and South CLP's, hosted a Your Britain listening and community engagement event focussing on the often hidden issue of domestic violence.
The event, introduced by North Swindon PPC Mark Dempsey, featured two key speakers. Firstly, Olwen Kelly, Director of Swindon Women's Aid – a local refuge and outreach service – set the scene on this taboo subject.
The Labour Party in Swindon, comprising of the North and South CLP's, hosted a Your Britain listening and community engagement event focussing on the often hidden issue of domestic violence.
The event, introduced by North Swindon PPC Mark Dempsey, featured two key speakers. Firstly, Olwen Kelly, Director of Swindon Women's Aid – a local refuge and outreach service – set the scene on this taboo subject. The audience found some of the statistics shocking: two domestic abuse 999 calls every minute; an increase in domestic abuse – not necessarily where individuals are co-habititng – amongst young people and a rise in the instances of child to parent domestic violence. Frank Mullane followed Olwen and discussed his experiences as the brother of Julie Pemberton, who – with her son – was murdered by an abusive partner some years ago. Out of the ashes arose AAFDA, or Advocacy Against Fatal Domestic Abuse, of which Frank is a director.
The Labour Party are currently collating the outcomes of discussions and will be formulating a report that will feed into the party's official policy making process.