A new bill aimed at tackling domestic abuse in England and Wales was introduced to Parliament on 16th July.
The Domestic Abuse Bill, which was drafted in January after a consultation, includes the first ever legal definition of domestic abuse, and places a ban on alleged and proven abusers cross-examining alleged and proven victims of domestic abuse in the family courts.
The government called the proposed legislation “the most comprehensive package ever presented to Parliament to tackle domestic abuse, both supporting victims and bringing perpetrators to justice” in its press release.
Measures included in the Bill:
- The first ever statutory government definition of domestic abuse, which will include economic abuse
- The creation of a Domestic Abuse Commissioner to champion victims and survivors
- New Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Domestic Abuse Protection Orders to further protect victims and place restrictions on the actions of offenders
- The prohibition of the cross-examination of victims by their abusers in the family courts
- The provision of automatic eligibility for special measures to support more victims to give evidence in the criminal courts
Useful links:
- Domestic Abuse Bill in Parliament (Follow its journey through the House of Commons and the House of Lords)
- Commons Select Committee review of the bill
- Background documents
Researching Reform 
This bill is a total waste of time, what they are not telling people is that if you have children with the abuser most of the changes in this law don’t apply to you, as the abuser is allowed to use his playground known as the family court to continue his abuse.
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Yes, I’m be met Judges before who seem to be advocates for domestic violence. Siding with the perpetrator gives the abuser more power.
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‘I’ve met’
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My comment is most domestic abuse cases don’t get reported as to female getting threats off losing there children to socail services. And it does happen as my partner had her children taken from her for failing to protect the children when she was being violently atacted by her x husband ..in my opinion the government needs to address this as well .as socail services and the police should work with familys affected by domestic abuse instead off breaking up familys
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But yet CAFCASS cover up domestic abuse. They must have different targets/money incentives to the SS. I wonder what the stats are on CAFCASS in relation to a change of residence order for children to live with the DV perpetrator.
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The publication you refer to is a hoax. There is Inter-Personal Violence Team operating out of the Home Office or in any Government Department
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The entire nature of this documents contents is “Civil” and the word crime is not mentioned. Why should anyone take part as a Respondent to any such applications. Where they are not ACCUSED of anything they can not defend themselves. Civil law is concerned with commercial transactions and is not of public interest. How can the police – a public enforcement body be lwafully involved in a civil matter?
It is nonsense.
God bless, Roger
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The public are becoming so tangled up in ever more rules regs and Laws to the point where they wont be able to do anything or say anything without legal consequences.
Very sad times ahead.
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