Tougher sentences for domestic killers
As part of the Government’s initiative to halve violence against women within a decade, domestic abusers who strangle their victims or kill as part of post-separation abuse will face harsher sentences under new laws. In addition, the Law Commission will conduct a review into homicide law and the framework around murder sentencing. These recommendations from […]
Research into prisoners shows cross-generational trauma
New research from Public Health and Bangor University into fathers in prison demonstrates that adverse childhood experiences (commonly known as ACE’s) can be passed from one generation to the next. ACEs are experiences that cause trauma and distress, for example, parental conflict, living with someone’s substance abuse, bereavement or family violence. Being exposed to multiple […]
Review finds flaws in implementation of NI’s DA Act
Though good in many ways, the Police Service of Northern Ireland falls short in some aspects of applying the province’s new Domestic Abuse Act, according to Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CIJ). “Inspectors found that police officers responded to domestic offences in a proactive and effective way and decision making by prosecutors was also sound,” […]
International: Greece to establish refuges
The Greek government will set up a domestic violence refuge in every police district, with the location known only to police, the minister for citizens’ protection, Michalis Chrisochoidis, announced. The development follows the fatal stabbing of Kyriaki Griva outside a police station while seeking protection from her ex-boyfriend, an incident which has refocused national attention […]
DA survivors to get cash support from government
Domestic abuse victims in England and Wales will be able to claim up to £3,000 from the state starting 31 January. The government’s motive is to help survivors move forward with their lives, prevent homelessness or face pressure to return to their abusers because of financial strain. “It will be a lifeline for many, helping […]
Clare’s Law failing in Wiltshire led to people harmed
Wiltshire Police has completed a review into how it handled 3,582 Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme requests in the eight years and five months to August 2023. “We’ve identified 25 failures in our service. Of this, we know of two failures which have resulted in people being harmed,” the constabulary said. Four cases have been referred […]
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 […]
Police force reviews Clare’s Law applications
Wiltshire constabulary has commissioned an urgent review into how it handled Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme requests for eight years. A staff member is under Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into how they dealt with the Clare’s Law applications. The person is currently suspended from Wiltshire Police. “We know there have been some failures […]
Parliament acts to prevent abuse via child maintenance
The Westminster Parliament have approved a bill to allow the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) to intervene on behalf of parents where domestic abuse is evident. Extension of the existing Collect and Pay system will enable victims-survivors to receive child support directly without risking further abuse by the perpetrator, according to the government. The Child Support […]
NCDV-linked scheme scoops award
The Domestic Abuse Response Alliance (Dara) has won the Pro Bono Initiative of the Year category in The Lawyer Awards 2023. The legal profession publication recognises excellence by law firms, legal teams and individuals in the UK through the event. A group of law firms set up Dara to represent London-based domestic abuse victims-survivors who […]
