Inspectorate finds many at risk of DA from people on probation
The probation service of England and Wales appears to have made little progress in recent years to improve its practices in guarding against domestic abuse, according to chief inspector of probation Justin Russell. “This is unacceptable and is leaving far too many potential victims at risk of domestic abuse,” he said. He was commenting after […]
Welsh government targets male perpetrators
The Welsh Government has launched the ‘Sound’ campaign to encourage men between 18 and 34 to reflect on their behaviours when it comes to violence against women and domestic abuse. “We want to make Wales the safest place for women to live fear free,” said minister for social justice Jane Hutt. “Early intervention and prevention […]
Thousands receive DA training in West Yorkshire
The West Yorkshire police force has given specialist domestic abuse training to 3,210 officers, staff and employees from partner agencies across the county since March. Written by SafeLives, the Domestic Abuse Matters culture change programme recognises the difficult role frontline officers have in dealing with domestic abuse. Therefore, the course provides them with ways they […]
Domestic abuse features in VAWG threat assessment
Crimes related to domestic abuse are among the greatest threats women face, according to the first ever country-wide evaluation of threats to women. As violence against women and girls (VAWG) is now prioritised alongside terrorism and serious organised crime as a national threat, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) conducted a strategic threat and risk […]
Government extends legal aid
More domestic abuse victims-survivors will have access to legal aid in England and Wales after Westminster government reforms have ensured 6m-plus more people are eligible. Those on universal credit and seeking a protection order for themselves or their children against their attackers can more easily obtain legal aid without a means test, the ministry of […]
Jersey’s DA law takes effect
The Domestic Abuse (Jersey) Law 2022 officially came into force on 21 June. Provisions include making domestic abuse a specific crime with a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine. The new legislation gives courts powers to impose domestic abuse protection orders (DAPOs) and notification requirements on people convicted of domestic abuse […]
Debt-hit council delays spending DA funds
Thurrock Council held up using £490,000 allocated to help victims-survivors of domestic abuse, according to an update on domestic abuse and violence against women and girls, given to the unitary authority’s scrutiny committee. “There’s a lot of work we could do when we know there is a lot of people sleeping rough because of domestic […]
Thousands fleeing domestic abuse ‘denied shelter’
More than 10,000 women escaping domestic abuse were reportedly refused safe housing in England last year, prompting warnings many could be left homeless or driven back to dangerous partners. Official figures show almost 8,000 households referred to a safe accommodation service did not receive support because there was no capacity, according to the Observer. A […]
MSPs call for better implementation of DA Act
While accepting the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 has boosted efforts to tackle all forms of domestic abuse, the Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee says more could be done. In a report summarising post-legislative scrutiny, committee members say they would like to see far greater information sharing between the criminal and civil justice processes for […]
Research shows quarter of men in same-sex relationships suffer DV
One-in-four gay or bisexual men in Scotland have experienced domestic violence in the past year, but face many barriers to accessing support, according to studies led by Glasgow Caledonian University researchers. One victim told them: “The police do not take it seriously. I think it was a complete lack of training. They didn’t know how […]
