‘I noticed an excessive amount of home abuse rising as much as let this go – the regulation should change’

Labour is under mounting pressure to make domestic abuse crimes a specific offence under the law.

Currently abusers are convicted across various offences including harassment, assault or stalking but there is nothing specific for domestic abuse.

Lib Dem justice spokesman Josh Babarinde said it is “extraordinary” the law has not been updated to punish abusers. He told the Mirror a change is needed not only to honour victims but also for “practical” reasons like tracking how “pervasive” domestic abuse is across the country.

Ministers have promised to look at the issue within its review of sentencing. But Mr Babarinde said it needed to be addressed urgently as domestic abusers convicted of common crimes like assault are not exempt from Labour‘s early release scheme.

The MP, who experienced domestic abuse growing up, said the issue is “close to my heart”. He emphasised that it was crucial to talk about it over the festive period, which can be a really “scary time” for people who are shut inside their homes with abusers.

“I will do whatever it takes to make this law. I will pull out what stops need to be pulled,” he said. “I am prepared to be pretty unreasonable on behalf of victims and survivors across the country to secure the protections that they need and they deserve.

“I have seen too much myself and experienced too much myself to let this go. And so I hope the government hears that loud and clear and I hope that they will work with me to make this a reality.”

Mr Babarinde is currently working on the details of his Domestic Abuse (Aggravated Offences) Bill, which was published at the start of the month. As he is a backbench MP, the legislation is not guaranteed time in the Commons. Mr Babarinde is hoping the Government will allow an opportunity for the bill to be debated in the new year or if not, it will adopt the wording in other victims or crime legislation passing through Parliament.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has so far left the door open on the issue but will not make a decision until after the sentencing review concludes next year. The Cabinet minister has promised to take a deep dive into how criminals are punished – with a specific look at sentencing around women and girls – after inheriting a criminal justice system in crisis from the Tories.

Mr Babarinde, who sits on the Commons’ Justice Committee, said it was important to acknowledge how badly the former Conservative government damaged the prisons and courts. But he added: “What people want to see beyond a blame game is some action now, and I’ve been clear with the Justice Secretary that she’s in the driving seat now and that she has the power to be able to back this bill and make a difference.”

Charities including Women’s Aid and Refuge have given their support to Mr Babarinde’s proposals.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “The new Government inherited prisons on the point of collapse. We were forced to introduce an emergency release programme, introducing as many exclusions and protections as were possible at that time.

“Domestic abuse comes in many forms, not just physical. Under the current system, domestic abusers already face longer sentences as it is considered an aggravating factor in sentencing for a wide range of offences. However, the independent review of sentencing, led by David Gauke, has been tasked with looking at how the sentencing framework can best address crimes of violence against women and girls in future.”