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.

Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Shabana Mahmood MP needs to show us that she takes domestic abuse, violence, coercive and controlling behaviour seriously, and show the public that is high on her and her party's (Labour's) agenda. If it is high on their agenda then it has to filter down into the court system. Our judiciary is broken. We constantly see dangerous perpetrators walk free from court. 

The court needs to send a strong message out to perpetrators of violence against women and girls that they will be held accountable for their actions. THE BIGGEST THREAT TO WOMEN AND GIRLS ARE MEN. We also do not want to hear that 'prisons' are full!! Not our problem.

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 there, in a place of power 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. We should not be seeing dubious dangerous decisions being made in court. If we do then there should be some level of accountability for magistrates and judges who make these decisions.

Dangerous perpetrators of abuse and violence have to be held accountable. This also has to be reflected in the court system. The Government need to look at the sentencing. The Government should not be planning to scrap some shorter sentences which could see thousands of abusers walk free from court. ALL perpetrators need to be held accountable. Do not reward perpetrators by letting them only serve 50% and now possibly 40% of their sentences. They choose to abuse so they should be punished accordingly. 

I am calling on Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Shabana Mahmood MP to agree to meet me, and to 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)