DOMESTIC violence victims have welcomed new powers to punish abusers but called for more to be done.

The Sentencing Council yesterday announced that domestic offences would be taken more seriously – with longer jail sentences, no defence for provocation and harassment via social media explicitly recognised for the first time.

Brighton mother-of-two Rose Cresswell suffered for years at the hands of her abusive husband and her two young children regularly saw her violently assaulted.

She hoped the new powers would strengthen support for victims.

Under the new powers which come in to force in May, those convicted of offences will be more likely to go to prison.

Courts will be told offences which take place at home should be considered more serious than similar offences elsewhere. Non-physical forms of abuse – such as threats on social media – will also now be taken into consideration.

The Sentencing Council said domestic offences should be treated more seriously because they represent a “violation of trust and security” normally associated with intimate or family relationships.

There is also the potential for victims of domestic abuse and their children to suffer “lasting trauma” and for the perpetrators to present a “continuing threat to the victims’ safety”.

Under the new powers provocation will no longer be considered a mitigating factor.

The new guidelines contrast sharply with those issued 12 years ago which state offences in a domestic context should be seen as “no less serious” than others.

They add courts should take “great care” where the offender or victim requests a less severe sentence in the interests of any children

Sussex Police are rolling out a unique referral process, Operation Encompass, to tell schools about incidents in the home.

Detective Chief Inspector Pip Taylor said: “Children are often hidden victims when it comes to domestic abuse in the home. This is a key milestone in supporting and protecting children who have witnessed or been in the home when an incident has occurred. Without such an initiative young people could become stuck in that devastating cycle that domestic abuse can create.”

For advice on domestic abuse visit www.sussex.police.uk/domesticabuse.