EASTLEIGH MP Mims Davies has described a draft government bill as a “once in a generation opportunity to end abuse”.

The news of her comments come after the government published the draft domestic abuse bill.

The bill plans to address a number of matters including: coercive control, economic abuse, and how domestic abuse affects children.

It also plans to transform the response in the justice system as well as introduce the first ever statutory government definition of domestic abuse to specifically include economic abuse and controlling and manipulative non-physical abuse. This will enable everyone, including victims, to understand what constitutes abuse and encourage more victims to come forward.

Ms Davies added: “During my local advice surgeries I have heard absolutely heartbreaking accounts of victims over the physical, emotional and economic abuse that they have faced at the hands of someone close to them.

“As Eastleigh’s MP I have always aimed to be a voice for those victims, both as a former Member of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, as well as within the House of Commons Chamber, and the good that this Bill will do simply can’t be underestimated.

“In particular, many of us know how vulnerable victims of abuse can feel, and therefore I particularly welcome that the Government is looking to prohibit the cross-examination of victims by their abusers in family courts, something that I have been calling for alongside colleagues and constituents.”

The bill also addresses establishing a domestic abuse commissioner to drive the response to domestic abuse issues.

Domestic abuse protection notices and orders to further protect victims and place restrictions on offenders.

It prohibits the cross-examination of victims by their abusers and provides automatic eligibility for special measures to support more victims to give evidence in court.