AS WE celebrate international women’s day we need to remember that many women are subject to domestic abuse in their homes.

It is estimated that 8,000 people in Southampton suffered domestic abuse last year and many of these crimes are unreported.

The Domestic Abuse Bill is currently going through the House of Lords and the latest amendment is calling for a five-year jail sentence for people who attempt strangulation of their partner.

More than half the victims of recurrent domestic abuse experience strangulation, usually a terrifying means of exercising control rather than attempted murder.

Currently if it is prosecuted it is usually under the charge of "common assault", but even that may be difficult to prove, as there may be few or no injuries visible.

This specific crime has been created to help the police to protect an estimated 20,000 people, mostly women, per year – or 55 women every day.

Here in Southampton services to support people experiencing domestic abuse are limited and during the time of Covid demand for these services has grown.

As we think about our lives and the experiences of women across our city it is important to remember that a measure of our society is how we support the most vulnerable people when in greatest need.

The Green Party is actively involved in the passage of this bill and now with two women in the House of Lords our voice is being heard.

The Green Party is not just about the environment and climate change.

Katherine Barbour

Southampton Green Party

Candidate for Portswood Ward