DELEGATES heard from the families of victims about their experiences at the National Domestic Homicide Conference in Swindon.

Frank Mullane, brother of Julia Pemberton and uncle of William Pemberton murdered in 2003, called for the raising of the status of families of victims of homicide.

He said that the Government’s aim to help families to cope and recover after homicide first required recognition of those families’ needs.

“It seems to me that equalising the advocacy power of statutory bodies and families, at inquests, will make it more likely that the facts are revealed,” he said.

Assistant Chief Constable Louisa Rolfe, the new National Policing Business Lead for Domestic Abuse said: “I’m proud of the improvements in the police response to domestic abuse, particularly where specialist staff have worked with charities supporting victims to better understand how we can be victim led in breaking the cycle of violence and abuse.

“We must ensure every officer understands that abuse is not just an assault and that intimidation and control can be so damaging to victims and their families.”