THE Labour Party has made a commitment to tackling violence towards women after leader Ed Miliband met with the sister of a woman who was brutally murdered.

Sasha Marsden was killed at the age of 16 after being lured to a Blackpool hotel by murderer David Minto.

Her sister, Gemma Aitchison, from Westhoughton, has tirelessly campaigned to try and change attitudes to women since Sasha’s death in 2012.

She founded the women’s equality group Yes Matters — which works to tackle the sexualisation and objectification of women.

After working with Labour’s candidate for Bolton West, Julie Hilling, Ms Aitchison met with party leader Ed Miliband, who has now committed to tackling the issue if he becomes Prime Minister in May.

Among a number of proposed policies, the party has said it will put plans to tackle violence against women and girls “at the heart” of government and will appoint a new commissioner to enforce national standards on tackling domestic and sexual abuse.

The party’s manifesto also states that if elected, Labour will strengthen the law and provide more stable central funding for women’s refuges and Rape Crisis Centres and will aim to prevent violence by introducing age appropriate compulsory sex and relationship education in schools.

Ms Aitchison said her meetings with Julie Hilling and Ed Miliband have changed her view of politicians.

She said: “I used to think politicians didn’t care and didn’t respond to anything, but after getting in touch with Julie and with Ed Miliband’s office, my view has completely changed.

“Most people wouldn’t think to get in touch with their MP but with all the work I had done with Yes Matters I decided to contact Ed Miliband and let him know what needed to change. “Julie was so supportive with everything and the staff at her office were great – she was the only party that responded and showed any interest in the campaign.”

“Ed Miliband invited me to London to discuss how a future government can help tackle violence towards women – he was great and had concerns about how future generations viewed women in different types of media.

“He promised to get back in touch and he did, he is clearly someone who sticks to his promises and listens.”

Ms Hilling, who is hoping to be re-elected as MP for Bolton West on May 7, said: “I am proud of the work I have done with Ed Miliband and Gemma Aitchison on the sexualisation and objectification of women. The work has led to pledges being put in our manifesto.”

Also standing in Bolton West are Chris Green (Conservatives) Bob Horsefield (UKIP) Andrew Martin (Lib Dem) John Vickers (TUSC) and Andy Smith (Conservative).