bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englan… We stand in solidarity with Sistah Space in the imperative #ValeriesLaw proposal to ensure specialist support and make specialist training mandatory for #Police and other government agencies to protect #black victims of #DomesticAbuse #VAWG #BlackWomen

Safeguarding minister Rachel Maclean MP has pledged more support for #black victims of #domesticabuse and said she would set up a meeting between Sistah Space and National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) to shape a strategy around officer training to help protect #BlackWomen , but this will not become law.

Abena Oppong-Asare MP passionately put forward the case how #BlackWomen don't receive the same level of support as white women due to the way bruises can be masked by dark skin, as well as racism and 'adultification', where young black women are perceived as older than they are. #valerieslaw

Abena Oppong-Asare MP said how the scandals around Metropolitan Police #abuse of #BlackWomen such as the strip search of schoolgirl #ChildQ and #MetPolice officers taking pictures of the corpses of murdered sisters #BibaaHenry and #NicoleSmallman have added weight to this crucial cause. #valerieslaw

Djanomi Headley of Sistah Space said they were delighted to have 'made history' by getting the campaign for #valerieslaw heard by the government for the first time. 'There is optimism and room for hope,' she said. 'We'll be able to discuss future plans with National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC)'

We wholeheartedly agree the policy being drawn up is without consideration of the #blackvoice and the #blackvoice needs to be heard. #valerieslaw needs to be made mandatory and not as an option that's down to the discretion of #police and agencies. Sistah Space #blackvoice smatter

A survivor said #BlackWomen need to be listened to because #police , #housing and #mentalhealth agencies were still pushing #blackwomen away when they sought help. She was grateful 'not to be one of those who never made it' with her own experience of #abuse . #ProtectBlackWomen

Neighbours called #police and the #police who came were #DomesticAbuse survivors. 'I was lucky enough to be one of the ones who was able to come through it but it could have been so different. We need to know the #police are there for us and will take us seriously'. #valerieslaw

This campaign started due to the brutal murder of #ValerieForde and her daughter in in 2014. Ms Forde had already reported Roland McKoy for threatening to burn down her house six weeks earlier but officers recorded it as a threat to property, rather than a threat to life.

At this time we think of all the #BlackWomen killed through #DomesticAbuse . #RIP #ValerieForde #SayHerName and hope that Sistah Space and their supporters can make #valerieslaw a reality. If you or anyone you know is experiencing any form of #DomesticAbuse please reach out to us