KATE Green, MP for Stretford and Urmston, has highlighted the importance of tackling domestic and sexual violence following a meeting with the all-party parliamentary group on domestic and sexual violence.

In Greater Manchester, 3,226 incidents were reported to the police in 2013-2013. This accounts for over 40 per cent of the north west and more than per cent of England. A similar situation can be seen, when it comes to domestic violence, with 47,496 incidents of domestic abuse reported to Greater Manchester police Force in 2012-2013.

She also discussed with the all-party group on domestic and sexual violence the problems within the justice system when it comes to sexual and domestic violence. For example, in 2013-2014 in Greater Manchester there were 274 prosecutions for rape, of which only 57 per cent resulted in a conviction. During this period, there were 5,596 prosecutions for domestic violence, of which 80 per cent resulted in a conviction. The all-party group has previously done work on how we can both improve these figures, whilst also ensuring that our justice system is safe for victims.

Ms Green said “I welcome the work that the All-Party Group on Domestic and Sexual Violence is doing to highlight the problem within my area. It is hugely important that our approach to tackling this important issue is carried out on a local and a national basis.

“I have written to the local Police Force and our Police and Crime Commissioner to ask what they are doing locally to deal with this issue. Parliamentarians, sector specialists, police forces, and victims must come together to tackle this.”