Swindon's domestic abuse

Aside from the universal truth that abuse is always the fault of the abuser, the issue of domestic violence is a complex one, with no two cases completely alike.

The difficulty of devising a useful strategy is a reflection of this multiplicity of circumstances.

Some survivors of domestic abuse, for example, are left with the feeling that they brought what happened upon themselves, or that their abuser’s lies about being sorry and never doing it again are true.

The problem also has a frightening multigenerational aspect, with children often left traumatised by the things they experience or witness, and at risk of having their adulthoods blighted.

In light of this, the Swindon Health and Wellbeing Board should congratulate itself on having its work so publicly endorsed by Public Health England.

We are certain the board’s strategy will continue to be fine-tuned and adapted as new and even better techniques for addressing domestic abuse come to light.

Our only wish is that certain parts of our legal system were as willing and able to play a proper role in combating this deadly serious problem.

There are far too many court cases in which the perpetrators of horrific abuse, including the infliction of severe wounds and broken bones, are given a sympathetic hearing and a meaningless sentence.