Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper MP was in Cambridge ahead of voting in next week’s local and European elections. Ms Cooper visited the Cambridge Women’s Resource Centre which offers vital services to women in and around Cambridge, including accredited training, emotional and practical support, and networking and friendship opportunities. She met a range of local community workers who particularly focus on tackling domestic violence, and they explained the continuing challenges faced by many women. 

Ms Cooper says: 

“The Cambridge women I met are doing really important work to help victims of domestic violence and to prevent abuse – and I was impressed with their passion and determination to get things done. But too often the clock is being turned back on tackling violence against women. We talked about the problems of falling prosecutions, fragmented support and growing violence in youth relationships. That’s why we need national standards for tackling violence against women, and compulsory sex and relationship education in schools to teach zero tolerance of domestic abuse. I just don’t understand why the Government is refusing to do it.”