The Watford Women’s Centre Plus welcomed local MP Dean Russell to discuss the government's domestic abuse strategy. The Watford Women’s Centre opened in 1989 by a group of women who volunteered their time to support victims of sexual violence and rape in and around Watford.
Over the past 34 years, the charity has developed a needs-led service which is tailored to local individuals who access the services. Earlier this month, Dean sponsored an event in Parliament alongside the national domestic abuse charity ‘SaveLives.’ The charity works with organisations across the UK to transform the response to domestic abuse, challenging perpetrators to change their behaviour and to support victims with a whole family, whole picture approach.
The Government has announced proposals in which domestic abusers will face tougher management under new measures to protect women and girls. The proposals go further than anything previously in protecting women and girls from harassment, aggression and violence. They will focus on stopping domestic abuse before it takes place and for the first time, controlling or coercive behaviour will be put on a par with physical violence.
Following the announcement Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said “No woman or girl should ever have to feel unsafe in her home or community and I am determined to stamp out these appalling crimes. As well as extra support for victims, we’re making it a priority for the police to tackle violence against women and girls and toughening up the way offenders are managed.”
Following his visit to the Women’s Centre Dean Russell said that “I would like to thank the brilliant team at the Watford Women’s Centre Plus for their time today. It was really useful to learn more about their services which I can share with constituents and signpost those who may need assistance.
Their charity does vital work and has been embedded into our community for more than 3 decades. The staff and volunteers are so responsive to the requirements of the wider community, and they now deliver education and training services to men and women who are in need of assistance in Watford.”
