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Jacobs acts to ensure domestic homicide review recommendations are carried out

Big Ben, Westminster Bridge on River Thames in London, England, UK

Nicole Jacobs, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, is launching a domestic homicide oversight scheme to hold public bodies and national government to account so they take steps to prevent future deaths. “I want to see cross-governmental leadership to ensure that all agencies, from health to children’s services, make ending domestic homicide a […]

Greater access to medical records causes DA worry

Woman medic, doctor writes out a prescription. Makes an entry in the medical record. Medical

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 Violence With Young Man And Abused Woman

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 force reviews Clare’s Law applications

British police community support officer

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 […]

Two awarded for their work countering domestic abuse

London - United Kingdom

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

Scotland flag

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

Handcuffed man behind prison bars

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

Palace of Westminster

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. […]