Court backlog ‘puts extra pressure on DA victims’
A logjam in cases at Teesside Crown Court caused by the Covid-19 pandemic is making things tougher for survivors of domestic abuse in bringing their case to court. The longer wait puts “additional anxiety, doubt and strain on peoples’ mental health waiting for their case to come around,” Danielle Chadwick of the northeast England-based domestic […]
Two honoured for domestic abuse work
Women’s Aid ambassador Mandy Wood of Swindon has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to charitable fundraising. Ms Wood, a survivor of domestic violence, was quoted by the Swindon Advertiser as saying: “This honour is not mine alone. I accept it on behalf of my children, all victims, […]
Camilla highlights help available for DA victims
At a time of increasing domestic abuse during coronavirus-induced restrictions, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall has written about the support which exists for those trapped in abusive relationships. Though the lockdown brought out the best in many people by shielding relatives and neighbours pulling together, “for some it was abuse, rather than charity, that began at […]
Hestia launches DA advice service for businesses
A new advice line to help employers support staff experiencing or at risk of domestic abuse has been set up by Hestia, one of its two new initiatives. The Everyone’s Business Advice Line advises companies how to approach disclosures of domestic abuse by employees, particularly in light of Covid-19. “More people have been working from […]
Police force in push for reporting of suspected DA
Humberside constabulary has launched a campaign called What Do You See? to encourage people to tell them if they believe someone they know is a victim of domestic abuse. The effort follows a poll the force carried out which showed one-in-eight people (12.5%) would not call the police in those circumstances. The constabulary described the […]
Domestic abuse cases at record levels in Scotland and NI
Charges covering domestic abuse in Scotland are at their highest figure since 2015-16, while the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has recorded the highest number of DA incidents since record began 15 years ago. Domestic abuse and stalking charges in Scotland totalled 30,718 in 2019-20, a rise of 5.7% on the previous year. An […]
Domestic abusers exempted from eviction protection
Perpetrators of domestic abuse in England will be excluded from a six-month notice of eviction the government proposes to have in place until at least 31 March. The overarching purpose of the extension to the time landlords have to give for a repossession notice is to help tenants over the winter while the coronavirus crisis […]
More companies help employees suffering DA
An increasing number of firms are offering paid leave, emergency accommodation and other support to staff who are victims of domestic abuse. The change in company practice arises from a realisation working from home during the coronavirus-induced lockdown is not a safe option for all employees as some will be shut in with their abuser. […]
Horley steps down from Refuge
After 37 years as chief executive officer (CEO) and company secretary of Refuge, Sandra Horley is retiring. She officially leaves her posts at the end of October, but ended her CEO duties at the end of July due to planned leave. Refuge said Horley tirelessly worked for the needs of women and children escaping domestic […]
Boxing champ fined for ‘DA’ social media post
WBO super middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders has been found guilty of misconduct and fined £15,000 by the British Boxing Board of Control for a ‘domestic abuse’ social media video. He had filmed himself punching a bag and advising “dads, husbands and men with girlfriends” how to deal with their female partners during the coronavirus […]
