In a Manchester Crown Court, Judge Richard Mansell ruled that he would not jail Mustafa Bashir, a man who made his wife drink bleach and, at one point, struck her over her back with a cricket bat saying: "If I hit you with this bat with my full power then you would be dead." Judge Mansell concluded she was not vulnerable enough because she was "an intelligent woman with a network of friends" and a university degree.

The Judge handed out a suspended sentence of 18 months - a punishment which is not enforced unless a further crime is committed during a specified period. What message does this send out to perpetrators of domestic abuse, furthermore what message does this send out to victims of domestic abuse and violence.

The Secretary of State for Justice, Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP, and Max Hill QC, Director of Public Prosecution at the Crown Prosecution Service need to take domestic abuse, violence, coercive and controlling behaviour seriously, and show the public that is high on their agenda. If it is high on their agenda then it has to filter down into the court. We need to see this!

Like Bashir’s partner, I went through hell with my ex, enduring domestic abuse and coercive controlling behaviour for 18 years. After leaving my perpetrator  he came to my place of work and shot me with a sawn-off shotgun, beating me before fleeing. My 16 year old son took his life some weeks later as a result of this. I also had a network of good friends - does that mean I was not vulnerable enough too? What ignorance by those in a powerful position who are their, in place to 'protect us'.

The judiciary in its entirety Judges and Magistrates alike, fail to understand the power the perpetrator has over the victim and how it can make you a prisoner in your own home - regardless of your network of friends, wealth, social standing, or how intelligent you are.

I am actively campaigning in the domestic abuse arena to see that all agencies and service providers listen to the voices of the victims and survivors, sadly we are experts by experience. We request that all Judges, Magistrates, Legal Clerks and Crown prosecutors are fully trained. That they have mandatory, specialist, consistent domestic abuse, and coercive controlling training, that ensures a full and coherent understanding of the complexities of this societal epidemic. The current lack of knowledge is putting vulnerable lives at risk and in many cases allowing dangerous perpetrators to abuse almost with impunity. The state must do more to protect vulnerable people.

I am calling on The Secretary of State for Justice, Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP and Max Hill QC to agree to meet me, and show that the Judiciary and CPS understands that work needs to be done so that Judge Mansell’s actions are never repeated. (But sadly 6 years on, they are being repeated)