Violence against women is a significant issue in our society, and abuse against women and girls is widespread, with one in four women experiencing domestic violence at some point during their lifetime. The sentencing of the artist Graham Ovenden, who received a suspended jail sentence despite being convicted of sexually abusing young girls, sends an extremely dangerous message about how seriously the courts take the abuse of girls. At Women's Aid we work closely with the police and CPS to raise awareness of domestic and sexual violence and feel that this low sentence undermines efforts to send a clear message that abuse against women and girls will not be tolerated.

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