Professor Marianne Hester from the Family Policy and Child Welfare Centre in the School for Policy Studies has been awarded a grant of £25,295 from the Home Office to conduct a review of the additional powers the Criminal Justice System might need to control the activities of perpetrators of gender-based violence.

The research will look at domestic violence and stalking, ‘honour-based’ violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, rape, sexual assault, sex trafficking, prostitution and elder abuse. 

The review is linked to the government’s consultation on how to combat violence against women and girls, and overcoming its impact on individuals, families and communities (Together We Can End Violence Against Women And Girls, Home Office, March 2009). It is being prepared for the Home Secretary, and carried out under the auspices of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), through Chief Constable Brian Moore, ACPO’s lead on domestic violence.

Professor Hester’s colleagues on the project are Dr Geetanjali Gangoli and Dr Emma Williamson.