Home Office issues fresh guidance to help DA victims
New, statutory guidance to enable police, local authorities and others working with survivors of domestic abuse in England and Wales has been published by the home office. Following on from last year’s enactment of the Domestic Abuse Act, the goal is to ensure support meets victims’ complex needs by those working in the field having […]
Police told to improve response to DA claims against ‘their own’
Three inspectorates have made recommendations on how police can improve the quality of investigations into domestic abuse allegedly committed by police officers or staff. Action also needs to be taken to better protect and support victims, according to the College of Policing, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). […]
Service police forces falling short in DA
Police forces in all three branches of the UK’s armed services need to become better in handling domestic abuse cases, says the government watchdog which oversees them. Victims in the army, navy and air force told investigators from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary they did not feel properly supported, with many feeling ostracised from their […]
Police force tries out live chat for domestic abuse victims
Suffolk Police says it has successfully piloted online live chat in what it termed a revolutionary way to safely communicate with victims of domestic abuse. The trial scheme generated many repeat conversations with the force which, it says, showed users found the platform engaging and useful, As the average conversation length was 40 minutes, that […]
Cost-of-living crisis ‘adds to DA pressures’
The UK’s cost-of-living crisis is leading to an increase in domestic abuse cases and need for refuge spaces, according to Hestia. The refuge provider says it has seen a 30% rise in demand for spaces and support in the first quarter, and families are having to stay in refuges for longer as the cost of […]
New strangulation and suffocation laws take effect
Prosecutors in England and Wales now have powers to charge violent abusers with the specific offences of non-fatal strangulation or non-fatal suffocation, part of legislation associated with the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. The offences have a maximum jail term of five years. In legal guidance published as the new laws took effect on 7 June, […]
Survivors to have chance to discuss abuse with perpetrators
The Scottish government is to pilot restorative justice by offering victims of domestic or sexual abuse the opportunity to speak to their abuser about the impact the crime had on them. An initial test project in the Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders area will establish best working practices before the service is extended across the nation. […]
DA specialists start helping Northumbria Police’s call handlers
Domestic abuse professionals from Wearside Women in Need and Harbour are now in Northumbria Constabulary’s control rooms alongside officers to support victims during peak times, namely weekend nights. Their presence is being funded by the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner’s office. “Having these specialists on hand supporting our police means we can seize the opportunity […]
Kent police bolster domestic abuse support
Victims of domestic abuse in Kent are promised an enhanced response and help through a new system set up by the county’s police force. Dubbed the Domestic Abuse Hub, it includes victims speaking with an officer via video technology which enables speedy crime recording, statement taking and the capture of evidence, such as the scene […]
International: cyclist ejected for domestic abuse
Team TotalEnergies has ended Alexandre Geniez’s contract, three months on from him receiving a suspended sentence for domestic abuse against his ex-wife. He had remained a team member following his conviction, but did not ride for it, Cycling Weekly reported. The French cycling outfit said on social media it has reached an agreement with him […]
