Domestic abusers barred from cross-examining victims in courts
Alleged perpetrators of domestic abuse can no longer cross-examine the victim in family and civil courts under measures which come into force on 21 July as part of the Domestic Abuse Act (2021). The change is in response to concerns they used the process to extend their abuse, and victims were retraumatised by their experiences […]
Women’s Aid urges action to counter cost of living crisis
Domestic abuse support organisation Women’s Aid is calling for a raft of measures to combat increased pressures faced by victims during the current period of high inflation. The charity wants to see: An emergency domestic abuse fund to support survivors by paying for essential items and energy bills; Reduced energy costs for all refuges; and […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
CPS amends approach to prosecuting DA cases
The Crown Prosecution Service has published revised guidance on prosecuting domestic abuse-related crimes. A key objective to is to tackle what the agency describes as misleading myths and stereotypes. “DA cases are amongst the highest priority work dealt with in the criminal justice system. The safety of victims and children is imperative when prosecuting cases […]
