Overhaul planned for family courts to protect DA survivors
Increased use of separate entrances, different waiting rooms and protective screens to shield domestic abuse victims from their alleged abuser are among measures the ministry of justice plans to introduce in a reform of family courts. Ministers will also review how best to change the law on barring orders to ensure the victim and children […]
Domestic Abuse Bill moves to Lords
The government’s Domestic Abuse Bill is now before the House of Lords for debate, having completed its stages through the House of Commons on 6 July. As it did so, government made some amendments which were all accepted without a vote. The key ones are: children are included in the definition of victims of domestic […]
Clare’s Law initiator Michael Brown dies
Michael Brown, who successfully campaigned for a change in the law after his daughter Clare Wood was murdered by her ex-boyfriend George Appleton, has died aged 76 after a short illness. Following the killing in her Salford home in 2009, Mr Brown fought for a person to have a right to know about a partner’s […]
Lockdown easing brings surge in demand for Refuge’s help
As coronavirus restrictions began to be relaxed across the UK in early July, there was a marked rise in women seeking emergency accommodation through support organisation Refuge. The first week of the month saw a 54% increase in women needing refuge space compared with the last week in June. Use of the charity’s 24-hour National […]
International: Chinese city launches version of Clare’s Law
The eastern China city of Yiwu has set up a system enabling people to check before marriage if their intended spouse has a known history of domestic abuse. Believed to be the first service of its kind in China, a database contains information about individuals from across the country who have been convicted, issued with […]
North Wales moves to online DVPOs applications
A pilot scheme of virtual court hearings for Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) applications to ensure social distancing rules are kept during these coronavirus times is operating in North Wales. The regional police force’s assistant solicitor Gareth Preston spearheaded establishment of the system which has seen all domestic violence cases moved to a courtroom in […]
DA calls to NSPCC at record levels
Contacts to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children’s helpline about the impact of domestic abuse on children have increased during the coronavirus outbreak. In a 10 June update, the NSPCC said 1,500 adults had contacted the helpline (0808 800 5000) about the risks to children since the lockdown started on 23 […]
‘Rough sex’ defence to be outlawed in DA Bill
The so-called rough-sex-gone-wrong excuse used by some accused in murder trials will be prohibited in the Domestic Abuse Bill, justice minister Alex Chalk has pledged. He was responding after Jess Phillips, Labour’s shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding, told the Commons’ Public Bill Committee: “When a woman is dead she can’t speak for herself […]
Scores of DA groups to receive government funding
More than 100 organisations working with domestic abuse survivors will benefit from £8.1m the government is giving to help them continue providing life-saving services during the coronavirus crisis, homelessness minister Luke Hall announced. The funding will pay for more 1,500 refuge bed spaces and specialist support such as counselling. The handout is part of a […]
NCDV launch ‘Abusers Always Work From Home” campaign
NCDV recently launched its “Abusers Always Work From Home” campaign to highlight the 49% increase in domestic abuse incidents since lockdown. “Over the years we have worked with Wunderman Thompson a number of times, their global position in the marketing sector makes it impossible for us to employ their services for even a fraction […]
