The family of Kerri McAuley said they will be looking to get laws changed to protect other women when they meet with the new domestic violence minister.

Eastern Daily Press: Kerri McAuley alongside her mother Lesley. Picture: courtesy of McAuley familyKerri McAuley alongside her mother Lesley. Picture: courtesy of McAuley family (Image: courtesy of McAuley family)

Ms McAuley, 32, suffered 19 separate injuries to her head and face following a 'sustained and brutal' attack by serial abuser Joe Storey who then left her to die alone in her Norwich home in January last year.

Following her murder Ms McAuley's family have been fighting to get legislation changed to try and help other abuse victims and prevent future tragedies.

Ms McAuley's mother Lesley will be highlighting her daughter's case when she and other family members meet Victoria Atkins MP, the Home Office Minister for domestic abuse, in the city on Friday (January 26).

Lesley hopes to ultimately get better laws which will help protect abuse victims by raising concerns with the minister who is preparing a new Domestic Violence and Abuse Bill.

She said: 'I just want some laws to be changed. It's unbelievable how many Joe Storey's there are out there.

'I just want so much change for it all to protect these women.'

Lesley said they are particularly keen to see abusers get longer sentences the first time they offend, giving victims the opportunity to get away.

She said: 'The first thing is when they first attack women and are let out straight away again. That's why the women are so scared.'

Another change Ms McAuley's family would like to see made to legislation is better disclosure to victims when they are attacked.

Lesley said: 'When they are first assaulted they should get information on the person who has assaulted them - their history.

'If my daughter had known Joe Storey's history I think she would've been a lot stronger and gone to the police a lot more if she had known his past history.'

The meeting has been set up by Chloe Smith, Norwich North MP, who has been working to see if more can be done to tackle domestic violence following Ms McAuley's death.

This paper set up Kerri's Campaign, in Ms McAuley's memory, and raised more than £10,000 for abuse charity Leeway so it could kit out a new refuge.