Luton Borough Council

17/11/2023 - Council commits to tackling domestic violence

On Tuesday 14 November Luton Council unanimously adopted a motion proposed by Councillor Maria Lovell MBE, stating Luton should be a town where all children, young people and adults can live free of the fear of domestic violence and abuse in all forms.

Domestic abuse is often wrongly thought to be solely directed towards women. The reality is that it can affect anyone regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, sexuality, background, circumstances or status.

In the year ending March 2022, the Crime Survey for England and Wales calculated that 2.4 million adults over the age of 16 experienced some form of domestic abuse. Of these 1.7 victims are women and 700,00 are men. This equates to 5 per cent of the adult population and doesn’t taken in to account significant volumes of under reporting.

Tragically two women are killed each week in the UK as a result of violence against women and girls. Women from black and minority backgrounds, disabled and LGBTQ+ women are often particularly vulnerable to abuse.

The consequences of domestic violence are not only real and immediate, but can have long-term consequences, limiting the ability of individuals to live safe, happy, productive and fulfilling lives.

The resolution supports the council’s strategic vision which expresses a commitment to work alongside groups and agencies which advocate against violence targeting women and girls.

It will support Bedfordshire partners in the 16 Days of Action against gender-based violence which will run from 25 November, the international day for the Elimination of Violence against Women to Human Rights Day on 10 Dec.

Commenting on the resolution, Councillor Lovell, portfolio holder for Women’s Services and Community Safety, said: “I am delighted that the council has unanimously adopted this resolution. No one, whoever they are, should have to suffer from domestic abuse. Whilst the violence is not exclusively aimed at women, they are predominantly the victims of this horrendous crime.

“Education and prevention is a huge part of our commitment to address the issue of domestic violence against women. It is vital that we work to eradicate the root causes of abuse, particularly those negative and harmful attitudes, structures and behaviour patterns that perpetuate gender inequality and legitimise disrespectful behaviour patterns which so often lead to violence.”

To this end the council is committed to supporting a local campaign to seek (re)accreditation for Luton to achieve White Ribbon Town status. White Ribbon is the UK’s leading charity engaging men and boys to end violence against women and girls.

Read more about the motion on pages 4 and 5 of the council agenda.