I was pleased to speak at the domestic violence conference which was arranged by the Peckham Community Council this Saturday . Domestic violence accounts for 25% of all crimes against the person reported to Southwark Police.

The Government is committed to addressing violence against women, in all its forms, and in whatever circumstances. That is why we have identified it as one of the three key priorities for the Ministers for Women. All of us, including the government, have a responsibility to address violence against women: within our families, within our communities, at our places of work or study and within our society at large.

Tackling violence against women requires long-term culture change which involves addressing attitudes towards violence and stereotypes of women which all too often blame the victim.

Violence against women, including sexual violence, whether within the family or outside it, has a devastating and long lasting impact on victims and their families, and can arouse fear within our communities.

Through our Tackling Violence Action Plan, the Government has committed to invest over £20 million between 2008-2011 to support the rollout of multi-agency interventions and information sharing, involving local police, local councils, voluntary groups and health workers, across the country to manage and identify people at risk of committing serious violence as well as providing support for victims.