As the Women Of The World Festival takes place at London's South Bank Centre, three politicians from across the political spectrum blog on the challenges facing women in 2017. You can read former Lib Dem minister Jo Swinson on gender equality here, and Labour MP Stella Creasy on Brexit's threat to women's rights here
Raped, beaten and destitute, Sarah (names changed) had nowhere else to go. Aged 28, and with her young son, she faced no other option than to leave the place she used to call home. Tom, her partner had become increasingly violent over the last year, stripping her of her self-esteem. On one occasion, he had tried to push her out of an upstairs window. Another night, she awoke to find him pouring methylated spirits all over her, trying to set her alight. It only stopped when their son saw and called the police. Sarah had tried to leave over the years but Tom would convince her that he was a changed man and couldn't cope on his own. But that night, after Tom's latest attack, Sarah suddenly realised that she couldn't take anymore and sought help.
This is not the storyline in a soap opera. Sarah was my client when I was a Barrister, instructed late one evening to apply to the court for an emergency order by a judge to provide local authority accommodation for Sarah and her son. She would be provided with a safe place, with support for her son, by the local council, to keep her safe from the very real threat that Tom presented.
Two women die at the hands of domestic abusers each week in England and Wales. One in four women in England and Wales will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes and 8% will suffer domestic violence in any given year. While these shameful statistics are not new and you have probably heard them before, we must keep repeating them. While it can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, women are far more likely to be victims than men. On average a woman will be assaulted 35 times before seeking help. The cost to the UK economy and the public has been estimated at £23billion per annum. This includes the cost to the criminal justice system, to the health service, to social care and to housing. Even this staggering figure is widely accepted to be an underestimation of the true cost.
Earlier this week we marked International Women's Day - a day to celebrate our contribution to social, economic, cultural and political achievements. However, it is also a day to pause and reflect on those areas where long-standing statistics like those I mentioned above highlight how women and girls are still being failed. No one should live in fear of domestic abuse, which is why this Conservative government has made ending violence against women and girls a priority.
In the Budget on Wednesday, the Chancellor announced that the government will provide an additional £20million to support organisations working to combat domestic violence and abuse, and to support victims, bringing the total funding for implementing the government's Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy to £100million over the Parliament. This is a welcome step, building on this government's commitment to helping vulnerable women. Theresa May has been a champion for victims of domestic violence for many years, first as Home Secretary and now as Prime Minister. This commitment is clear in the Domestic Violence and Abuse Act, which she is determined to bring forward.
Words are important but it is action that has made a true difference. In March 2014 this government introduced Clare's Law - named after Clare Wood, who was tragically murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 2009. It allows people to ask the police if their partner has a history of domestic abuse and has already provided lifesaving information to more than 1,300 people.
We've introduced new Domestic Violence Protection Orders that protect victims in the immediate aftermath of domestic violence - when they are at their most vulnerable. These new powers can stop perpetrators from returning to a home or contacting the victim.
What is even more encouraging is that even though the Crime Survey for England and Wales indicates the lowest number of adults aged 16-59 were a victim of domestic abuse in 2014/15, the number of convictions for domestic violence are at its highest level ever - that means that not only are victims more willing to come forward to report abuse, but also that the individuals responsible for violence are being punished. The 2014/15 year saw around 60,000 more perpetrators prosecuted compared to 2004/05.
It is also important to recognise that domestic violence isn't always physical. Not all abuse leaves visible marks. But, that does not mean it is not as damaging or it does not have as deep an impact. Psychological and emotional abuse can lead to total control of the victims lives by the perpetrator. That is why this government has introduced a new offence for coercive or controlling behaviour - meaning that it is no longer just physical abuse that is recognised in the courts. We are sending a very clear message that emotional and controlling abuse will not be tolerated.
Domestic violence destroys lives. We need to keep on empowering women to come forward, knowing they have the full backing of the justice system and they won't be failed. As a Conservative, and a women, I am enormously proud that this Government is working to protect the most vulnerable women.
Suella Fernandes is the Conservative MP for Fareham
The Women Of The World Festival takes place at London's Southbank Centre from 10-12 March. For more information, visit the WOW Festival website
HuffPost UK is running a month-long project in March called All Women Everywhere, providing a platform to reflect the diverse mix of female experience and voices in Britain today
Through blogs, features and video, we'll be exploring the issues facing women specific to their age, ethnicity, social status, sexuality and gender identity. If you'd like to blog on our platform around these topics, email ukblogteam@huffingtonpost.com