Boris Johnson must "spearhead" the new non-fatal strangulation offence and ensure the new law does not sit on the statute book, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner has said.
Campaigners, MPs and victims of domestic abuse have campaigned tirelessly to ensure the Non-Fatal Strangulation Offence was included in the Domestic Abuse Act.
The offence, which comes into force today, carries a sentence of up to five years in prison.
Around 20,000 Brits are strangled across the country every year, but perpetrators are often not charged, or escape with a minor common assault charge.
Nicole Jacobs, the Domestic Abuse tsar welcomes the new offence but hopes the Government launches a co-ordinated strategy so it actually creates an impact.
Nicole Jacobs said: “This offence must not be allowed to sit on the statute book as words with no action to roll it out.”
“We know that there is an interest from many professionals who work with domestic abuse victims, but it is essential that different agencies work together with a shared understanding of the new offence and how to implement it.
"The Government must spearhead a structured and holistic approach that brings together all relevant agencies," she added.
The Commissioner fears without a more co-ordinated approach, the offence will not be used as widely as it should be which will mean victims are let down and perpetrators are not held to account.
Without clear training and guidance, police officers, front-line workers and others may be unaware of the new offence, and we may continue to see non-fatal strangulation under-charged as ‘common assault’, or not be investigated or prosecuted at all.
Strangulation can have potentially serious long-term medical consequences including memory loss, brain damage, stroke, miscarriage, as well as devastating psychological effects.
“This will only happen if there is proper training for police and other agencies, so they are able to recognise the signs to look out for and then get the forensic evidence needed to prosecute," Ms Jacobs added.
It comes as more rape victims will be able to apply to courts to pre-record video evidence before their case reaches trials.
From Thursday, special measures schemes for victims of crimes such as rape and modern slavery will be extended to 11 more crown courts across the Midlands and the South West.
Victims will be able to pre-record their evidence, as close to the time of the offence as possible, and will be spared the trauma of giving evidence at trial and facing cross-examination.
The scheme has already been successfully introduced in 26 Crown Courts and the Government is committed to rolling it out nationwide by September.
