Our Amendment 73 in the Domestic Abuse Bill will be debated on Monday 15th March in the House of Lords - and we will push it to the vote. 

The disappearance and murder of Sarah Everard has been horrific and I, like many others, have been watching this devastating case unfold. Yet again Sarah's case highlights the fear and reality of male violence. It is worryingly similar to the abduction, rape and murder of Libby Squires, where yet again there was a patterned previous history of offending that was not identified. This predatory behaviour is on a continuum yet too often when women report they are not taken seriously and cases are not prioritised.

For too long the focus has been on changing the victims behaviour, allowing perpetrators to abuse and offend with impunity. This is unacceptable.

Femicide is at an all time high and we need a coherent national approach to proactively identify, assess and manage serial and high risk perpetrators.

Our amendment, tabled by Baroness Jan Royall, proposes a statutory duty to monitor and manage perpetrators via the multi-agency public protection panels and will ensure Ministers come up with a comprehensive perpetrator strategy.

This is about cultural change. Women have had enough. We must challenge the misogyny, institutionalsed sexim and gender bias when women report. The Government must act now and support Amendment 73 and shift the focus onto the men who cause the fear, terror and violence if we are to better protect women and girls.

Please Help:

1. Share the petition;

2. Repost/share my social media posts about the Amendment and campaign, Twitter @laurarichards99 and IG @laurarichards999 Use #Amendment73 #DABill #MaleViolence when you post, and;

3. Complete the Government's short online survey about Violence Against Women and Girls and ask that they prioritise and focus on perpetrators and male violence and serial and high harm perpetrators

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/violence-against-women-and-girls-vawg-call-for-evidence

The time is now to share, retweet, do the survey and use your voice. We can make a difference to the lives of many other women and girls.

Be the change.

Thank you so much for your support,

Laura xox

Laura Richards BSc, MSc, MBPsP

Criminal Behavioural Analyst

Founder Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service