It is estimated that around 2 million adults experience domestic abuse each year. On 17 July 2019, the government introduced the domestic abuse bill into Parliament. The legislation is aimed at supporting victims of domestic abuse and their families and pursuing offenders. It has been revealed the estimated cost for domestic abuse victims in 2017 in England and Wales was £66 billion. The proposed legislation will:
- Introduce the first statutory government definition of “domestic abuse”. This will specifically include economic abuse, controlling and manipulative non-physical abuse
- Establish a Domestic Abuse Commission to drive the response to domestic abuse issues
- Introduce new measures of protection for victims and to place restrictions on the actions of offenders
- Provide automatic eligibility for special court measures to support victims giving evidence in criminal courts
- Hopefully transform the response to domestic abuse in the justice system
The bill has been described by government and charities that this is a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to making sure a step is made in the right direction. A charity supporting women who have experienced domestic abuse, has highlighted the importance of ensuring survivors of abuse are able to escape to safety and access support they need.
On 2 October 2019, the bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons and will now be examined in detail by a committee of MPs. All of us here at Philcox Gray are hopeful that the bill will brings changes to legislation which are required.
If you would like more information or advice about the issues raised in this article, or any aspect of family law please contact our us on 020 3207 2074, by email at postroom@philcoxgray.co.uk
The contents of this article is general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. The law may have changed since this article was published. Readers should not act on the basis of the information included and should obtain independent expert advice from qualified solicitors such as those within our firm.
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