Domestic Violence: Government Let 10,000 Abusers Off the Hook with 'Slap on Wrist'

The coalition government has "turned its back" on victims of domestic violence by allowing more than 10,000 perpetrators to get away with a slap on the wrist, Labour's Yvette Cooper will say on Monday.

The Shadow Home Secretary will accuse ministers of "downgrading action on violence against women" in a speech in Birmingham.

Labour has confirmed it would look at introducing a specific offence of domestic violence in an effort to increase falling prosection rates in such cases, while Cooper will repeat the party's promise to ban the use of community resolutions for cases - such as compensation or apologies.

Data obtained by Labour from 15 police forces showed there were 3,305 uses of community resolutions for domestic abuse in 2013. The number has increased from 1,337 in 2009.

"These figures are deeply worrying," she said. "Domestic violence is an incredibly serious crime. Two women a week are killed by their partner or an ex and 750,000 children will grow up witnessing domestic violence.

"For the police to simply take a violent abuser home to apologise risks making domestic violence worse, and makes it even harder for victims to escape a cycle of abuse," Cooper added.

"Labour has called on the government previously to prevent the use of community resolutions for serious crimes, including domestic violence. Today's figures reveal that nothing has been done."

The Association of Chief Police Officers advice suggests the resolutions are only suitable for crimes such as minor criminal damage, anti-social behaviour and low-value theft.

Cooper's speech will also highlight the drop in prosecutions and convictions for rape, domestic violence and child sex offences, although reported offences are rising.

She will also criticise the government's refusal to introduce compulsory sex education to teach zero-tolerance violence against women.

Labour has pledged to introduce a violence against women and girls bill which would end the use of community resolutions in domestic violence cases.

David Cameron has said his government was investigating creating a separate offence of domestic violence, adding that police needed more "training and understanding" to take it seriously as a crime.

Polly Neate, chief executive of Women's Aid, told IBTimes UK: "We welcome the prime minister's announcement that the Government will consider how domestic violence can be more effectively dealt with in law. Two women a week are killed by domestic violence, and it is vital that the criminal justice system be able to take account of the reality of the pattern of abuse women suffer."

A Home Office spokesperson said: "No government has done more to tackle the abhorrent crime of domestic abuse than this government. Our groundbreaking Claire's Law will help protect women from abusive relationships, while domestic violence protection orders are cracking down on the destructive cycle of repeated abuse."

The Conservatives are under pressure on the issue following the case of Tory MP David Ruffley, who received a police caution for common assault on his ex-girlfriend in March.