2 mn in UK victims of domestic abuse: Report

London March 8 (IANS) Violent husbands or partners faced being electronically tagged under new measures announced in the UK on Thursday to tackle domestic abuse which currently affects 2 million people across the country.

Prime Minister Theresa May Interior Minister Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Justice Secretary David Gauke put forward proposals for a new Domestic Abuse Bill to transform the government approach to what they described as a terrible crime.

The tough new approach includes protection orders to better shield victims against further abuse by enabling courts to impose a range of conditions on abusers Xinhua news agency reported.

These could include compulsory alcohol treatment attending a programme to address their underlying attitudes or addictions and using electronic tagging to monitor them.

Under the proposals breaching any court order would become a criminal offence.

May said: "While we have made great strides towards equality and opportunities for women the fact there are still thousands of people suffering from domestic abuse shows how much work we still have to do."

She said the new proposals will have the potential to completely transform the way Britain tackles domestic abuse providing better protection to victims and bringing more perpetrators to justice.

May added: "I hope as many people as possible will come forward to give us their views and share their experiences as we seek to put an end to this abhorrent crime for good."

--IANS
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