by Megan BennieChanges to Domestic Violence Law
From the 8th of January, changes have come into effect which have improved the availability of legal aid to victims of domestic violence.The time limit of 5 years in which to submit abuse evidence has been scrapped. This limit previously only allowed victims of domestic violence to apply for legal aid if they could prove violence took place within the last 5 years.In addition, the range of...
by AdminTackling the Domestic Abuse Crisis
Many of us, when first entering into a relationship, could never imagine a dark cloud of abuse descending on it. However, statistics on domestic show just how widespread the situation is. The truth is that domestic abuse is at crisis level, with 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men experiencing some form of domestic abuse in their lifetime. The government defines domestic abuse as: Any incident or...by AdminA place to call home: the Human Rights Act and housing for domestic violence victims
The images we see of domestic violence often show the violence itself – and end there. While this is shocking, it also does not reveal the full experience that a victim of domestic violence goes through. For some, that experience will involve leaving the violent partner. But the story doesn’t conclude there: leaving brings many of its own challenges, including finding a new place...
by AdminEducation, not penalties, to tackle domestic violence?
Education, not penalties, to tackle domestic violence? Domestic violence is best tackled through educative programmes rather than through the criminal justice system, according to research carried out by Project Mirabal run by Durham and London Metropolitan Universities. The research revealed that men who attend domestic violence perpetrator programmes (DVPP) change their behaviour which can...
by AdminThe government considers new law on domestic violence
The government is considering introducing a new law on domestic violence which would make nonviolent abuse illegal. The government launched a consultation last month in response to a damning report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) published in March. The report critisised the police response to domestic violence, saying that in many areas help and support was not...
by AdminCourt fees for non-molestation and occupation orders to be scrapped
Court fees for non-molestation and occupation orders are to be scrapped under new plans to assist victims of domestic violence. The changes have been made under the Family Proceedings Fees (Amendment) Order 2014/811, which states that the £75 fee for domestic violence injunctions will be abolished on 22nd April this year. More than 20,000 applications for non-molestation orders were made in...by Admin