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21 December 2006
People who hit their partners were warned they face a greater chance of imprisonment than ever before by Home Office Minister Baroness Scotland today, while announcing an increase in specialist domestic violence courts.
The Rt Hon Baroness Scotland QC, Minister responsible for domestic violence issues, said:
“Christmas is a time for families to come together and celebrate. But for victims of domestic violence it can be a time of fear and trauma.
“One in four women will be affected by domestic violence during their lifetime. It's a cowardly crime that cuts across all sections of society, behind closed doors with victims feeling powerless to stop the physical and emotional pain and abuse.
“The Government is working to ensure victims needs are at the heart of the criminal justice system and has transformed the way the courts deal with domestic violence crimes to ensure more perpetrators are bought to justice and introduced new laws to better support victims.
“But we still have more to do to urge women that the help is out there and they must come forward if they are a victim of this heinous crime. Domestic violence must stop. Anyone who is suffering as a result of this cowardly crime must come forward and seek the help that is out there.”
The number of specialist domestic violence courts will increase by 15, bringing the total to 64 across England and Wales by next April.
Specialist domestic violence courts systems work to ensure different agencies, such as the police, Crown prosecutors and probation, work together to identify, track and risk assess domestic violence cases and better share information so that more offenders are brought to justice, victims are protected and better supported; and further violence is prevented.
Successful domestic violence prosecutions rose from 46 per cent in 2003 to 59 per cent in 2005, whilst specialist courts showed an even greater improvement with 71 per cent successful prosecutions.
DCA Minister Rt Hon Harriet Harman QC said:
“Domestic violence happens all year round, but Christmas is a particularly difficult time. Victims will be living in fear of their partner, or spending Christmas in a refuge where at least they will be safe.
“The Government has done more to tackle domestic violence than any before it. We are investing heavily to bring perpetrators of domestic violence to justice and to support victims better.
“Since we set up Specialist Domestic Violence Courts, guilty pleas and convictions have gone up. This sends a clear signal to victims that if they report violence, there is a greater chance that their abuser will be punished, and they will be protected.”
- Other Government initiatives to combat Domestic Violence include: Implementing the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act. From July next year breaching a non molestation order will be a criminal offence punishable by up to five years in prison. The courts will also be given the power to impose restraining orders on domestic violence perpetrators on sentencing for any offence and on acquittal, if they consider them a danger.
- Every police force, probation area and CPS area now have Domestic Violence Co-ordinators.
- £2million funding for Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) who give professional support to victims. Their role is to ensure the safety of the victim is coordinated across the criminal justice system while giving expert advice on accessing essential services such as victim and witness agencies, housing, health, counselling and child care.
Note to Editors
- Anyone experiencing domestic violence should ring 999 (police) in an emergency.
- The freephone 24 hour National Helpline (run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge is 0808 2000 247. The Wales Domestic Abuse Confidential helpline is 08 08 08 10 800.
- The Men’s Advice line and enquiries for male victims of domestic violence is 0845 064 680
- Corporate Alliance Against Domestic Violence http://www.corporateallianceuk.com/home.asp
- Baroness Scotland is available for interviews about the new specialist courts. To arrange, call the Home Office Press Office on 020 7035 3850.
- Harriet Harman is available for interview. Please call the Department for Constitutional Affairs Press Office on 0207 210 8695.
- The £2million funding for Independent Domestic Violence Advisors was announced by the Home Office in March 2006, Press Notice 046/2006.
- The full list of the new selected specialist domestic violence court areas is:
Government Office Region: SDVC 'Scheme' / Local Justice Area Courthouse/s
North West Blackburn with Darwen and Ribble Valley & Hyndburn SDVC/LJA Accrington
North West Knowsley SDVC/LJA Knowsley
North West Liverpool SDVC/LJA Liverpool
North West St Helens SDVC/LJA St Helens
North West Sefton SDVC (South Sefton LJA) Bootle
Wales Gwent SDVC (South East Gwent LJA) Cwmbran, Newport
West Midlands Birmingham SDVC/LJA Birmingham
West Midlands Sandwell SDVC (Warley LJA) Warley, West Bromwich
West Midlands Walsall SDVC (Walsall and Aldridge LJA) Walsall, Aldridge
West Midlands Coventry SDVC (Coventry District LJA) Coventry
West Midlands Solihull SDVC/LJA Solihull
West Midlands Dudley SDVC/LJA Dudley
Yorkshire and Humber Scarborough & Ryedale SDVC (Scarborough LJA) Scarborough, Whitby
Yorkshire and Humber Hull SDVC (Hull and Holderness LJA) Hull
Yorkshire and Humber East Riding SDVC (Beverley & The Wolds, Bridlington, Goole & Howdenshire LJA) Beverley, Bridlington, Goole
