International: Ireland’s justice system ‘traumatises’ DV victims
Weaknesses in Ireland’s legal system so distresses survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence that they pull out of proceedings, according to a joint report for the Department of Justice and National Women’s Council. The key problems are an absence of comprehensive court and non-court support for victims; a lack of understanding of victims’ realities; cases […]
Inspectorate points to better ways for CPS to handle DA cases
While praising many aspects of how the Crown Prosecution Service deals with domestic abuse cases, His Majesty’s inspectorate for the CPS has recommended a series of improvements. They include developing a consistent approach to trauma training in violence against women and girls (VAWG) casework, drawing on the knowledge of specialist VAWG organisations and focusing on […]
International: Uzbekistan Parliament outlaws DV
Members of the Uzbek Parliament have passed what is seen as landmark legislation criminalising domestic violence, part of a wider raft of measures against gender-based violence. Subject to Presidential ratification, perpetrators found guilty of assaulting a current or former spouse, a cohabitant, or the parent of a shared child, face being jailed or fined. During […]
Government toughens up on combatting domestic abuse
The Westminster government is introducing a raft of measures with a focus on stopping domestic abuse before it takes place, including a requirement police forces treat violence against women and girls as a national threat. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “This means tackling these crimes will be as important as tackling threats like terrorism, serious […]
Domestic killers face longer jail terms
The law will be changed in England and Wales so a history of coercive or controlling behaviour against the victim will be taken into account when judges sentence people who kill their partners or ex-partners, the justice ministry has announced. A public consultation will also be held into whether a higher sentencing starting point of […]
Image-based abuse ‘set to continue without sanction’
Creating and sharing nude pictures or videos without consent, often used to coerce someone, is likely to continue with relative impunity until social and legal expectations ensure possessors or distributors of the images demonstrate they have permission to use them, say researchers. “Many of the people, mostly women and girls, in the sample who had […]
Report reveals extent of VAWG in police forces
A total of 1,177 cases against officers or staff members of police forces in England and Wales were flagged as relating to violence against women and girls (VAWG), a pioneering study has shown. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and College of Policing analysed data from all forces, including British Transport Police, in the six […]
Scores arrested in drive against domestic abuse
Lancashire Police have arrested 162 people across Preston, Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire during a month of action codenamed Operation Reckoning to tackle domestic abuse. Suspects wanted for threats to kill, assault, harassment and other offences were brought in for questioning. Officers also visited people on police bail for domestic abuse-related offences to ensure […]
International: DV agency to be set up in Ireland
The Irish government will present a bill to parliament for a new statutory agency dedicated to tackling and reducing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The body will be charged with overseeing and supporting provision of refuge accommodation for victims. The government’s goal is a doubling of safe places by 2026. Due to be operating by […]
Call to end cross-examination of DA victims
A 28-member group of women’s charities, solicitors and domestic abuse survivors has asked the government to end the “appalling practice” of domestic abuse survivors being questioned by their perpetrators in family courts. Though outlawed in the 2021 Domestic Abuse Act, cross examination continues according to the group. “Firstly, the ban only applies to new cases, […]
