WOMEN are being urged to “speak out and stand up” against domestic violence and stalking.

Home Secretary Theresa May made a plea on International Women’s Day, which has been backed by Sarah Summers.

Miss Summers, right, sister of Katie who was murdered by her boyfriend in 2008, has been campaigning for more to be done to tackle domestic violence and stalking.

She said: “I believe that more needs to be done in schools to teach young people from an early age.

“It is being taken seriously by the authorities which helps to build a trust with victims.”

The government has already taken steps to address problems, dedicating £40 million to services for victims of domestic violence and sexual violence, announcing plans to criminalise forced marriage, creating specific offences of stalking and starting pilots of Clare's Law.

But to totally eradicate violence against women, the Home Secretary challenged the public to work together and challenge violence against women in all its forms from domestic violence to stalking.

She said: “We need to change attitudes, we can only do that by working together. So speak out, stand up against violence against women and girls and that’s the way we can eradicate it.”