International: right to DA leave in Ireland becomes effective
Workers in Ireland experiencing domestic abuse, including coercive control, are now legally entitled to take up to five days’ leave on full pay to seek support. No prior notice needs to be given. Equality minister Roderic O’Gorman said the new legislation makes Ireland one of the first EU countries to introduce the right. Deirdre Malone, […]
Greater access to medical records causes DA worry
Twenty-three organisations have publicly raised concerns that patients’ new right to have access to their NHS medical records could put domestic abuse survivors at greater risk. The main fear is perpetrators may obtain the data by coercing their victim to share access to the website or app. Refuge, one of the organisations which has raised […]
SafeLives issues guidance to lift cloud of counter allegations
Domestic abuse charity SafeLives has published a guide to provide insight and support those working on cases complicated by the perpetrator claiming to be the victim. Responding to Counter allegations; A review of practice explores the different ways counter allegations can be presented and describes how professionals in all agencies involved can work together to […]
Police reporting DA survivors to immigration empowers abusers, says Jacobs
All 44 police forces across England and Wales, including British Transport Police, have shared information about victims of domestic abuse with immigration enforcement in the past three years, says domestic abuse commissioner Nicole Jacobs. “At the point when victims have come to the police for safety from abuse, they are met with what many fear […]
Two awarded for their work countering domestic abuse
Diana Parkes, whose daughter Joanna Simpson was killed by her estranged husband, has received the Points of Light Award from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. She set up the Joanna Simpson Foundation to raise awareness of the effects of domestic violence, offer services for advice and support to carers and young people, and increase understanding on […]
‘Clare’s Law’ requests top 20,000 in Scotland
Police Scotland has received 20,005 applications under the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse in Scotland (DSDAS) since the nation launched its version of Clare’s Law eight years ago. The requests resulted in 11,599 disclosures (58%) telling people their current partner has a violent or abusive past. “They can then choose the course of action they […]
Slew of arrests in Oldham domestic abuse crackdown
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) arrested 33 people for domestic abuse-related offences during a week of action in Oldham with support organisations such as the independent domestic violence advisor (IDVA) service. In one callout to a woman who reported domestic abuse the skill of an officer and IDVA enabled crucial evidence being obtained from a victim […]
DA charity criticises ‘hidden’ lockdown safety advice
Solace Women’s Aid has told the UK government’s Covid inquiry that messaging around lockdowns failed to make it clear early victims of abuse could leave their home to seek refuge. The London-focused organisation was concerned no announcements mentioned domestic abuse until January 2021, ten months into the restrictions, Rebecca Goshawk, head of public affairs at […]
Refuge appoints interim chief executive
Ellen Miller has joined domestic abuse charity Refuge as interim chief executive officer, replacing Ruth Davison who has stepped down after two years in the role. Miller has worked as CEO, interim and permanent, and as a services director heading advocacy and support to survivors, with a focus on those excluded because of physical and […]
Response from DA Commissioner on short sentences
The Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, Nicole Jacobs, has responded to the announcement by Justice Secretary, Alex Chalk MP, that the Prison Service will be allowed to release some prisoners on short custodial sentences up to 18 days early. This measure is more likely to impact on the risk and wellbeing of victims. […]