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 […]
Government to fund perpetrator programmes
The Westminster government has allocated up to £39m over the next two years to fund 50 initiatives by police forces across England and Wales focusing on the behaviour of domestic abusers or stalkers. “Prevention of crime is always better than having to deal with the consequences of crime,” said West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner […]
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 […]
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 […]
Victims fleeing domestic abuse to receive government cash
The Westminster government is to give people leaving abusive relationships £250 to help them re-establish their lives. The one-off payment will double to £500 if they have children. With a £300,000 funding pot, the trial scheme is being run with help from Women’s Aid given its national reach, expertise and existing infrastructure, the Home Office […]
Operation Encompass expands in Northern Ireland
A further 500 schools in the northern and western areas of Northern Ireland are joining Operation Encompass, bringing the total to 960. The programme involves police alerting a child’s school by 9am if they had attended a domestic abuse incident the day before where the youngster was present. That enables children to have emotional support […]
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 […]
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, […]
Child maintenance changes to help DA survivors
Domestic abuse victims in England and Wales will be able to allow the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) to collect and make payments on their behalf, without the consent of an abusive ex-partner. This will prevent perpetrators from using the benefit as a form of ongoing financial abuse and control, and reduce the need for victims […]
