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Tougher stance on domestic abuse | Tougher stance on domestic abuse |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Domestic violence victims will be able to get greater protection from courts in England and Wales from next month. | Domestic violence victims will be able to get greater protection from courts in England and Wales from next month. |
Judges will have powers to impose restraining orders on abusers charged with any offence - even if they are cleared but still considered a threat. | Judges will have powers to impose restraining orders on abusers charged with any offence - even if they are cleared but still considered a threat. |
Victims are currently often forced to go through civil courts to secure such an injunction even if, for example, a partner is convicted of assault. | Victims are currently often forced to go through civil courts to secure such an injunction even if, for example, a partner is convicted of assault. |
Campaigners welcomed the move but said the orders must be properly enforced. | Campaigners welcomed the move but said the orders must be properly enforced. |
Restraining orders are designed to prevent people from interfering with a complainant. A conviction for breaking their terms can result in a jail term of up to five years. | Restraining orders are designed to prevent people from interfering with a complainant. A conviction for breaking their terms can result in a jail term of up to five years. |
[The powers will] help victims in need of immediate protection and spare them the need to take separate civil action Home Office minister Lord West | [The powers will] help victims in need of immediate protection and spare them the need to take separate civil action Home Office minister Lord West |
At present, courts can only impose the injunctions in cases of convictions for two offences - harassment or putting someone in fear of violence. | At present, courts can only impose the injunctions in cases of convictions for two offences - harassment or putting someone in fear of violence. |
From 30 September, anyone still considered a threat at the end of a criminal case - regardless of the charge or result - may be made subject of an order. | From 30 September, anyone still considered a threat at the end of a criminal case - regardless of the charge or result - may be made subject of an order. |
Solicitor General Vera Baird says it will be simpler for the courts to help protect victims | |
Home Office minister Lord West said on Friday: "Domestic violence is a devastating crime which impacts across all communities. | Home Office minister Lord West said on Friday: "Domestic violence is a devastating crime which impacts across all communities. |
"The additional powers announced today will also help victims in need of immediate protection and spare them the need to take separate civil action." | "The additional powers announced today will also help victims in need of immediate protection and spare them the need to take separate civil action." |
The changes form the latest step in the government's reform of law on domestic violence. | The changes form the latest step in the government's reform of law on domestic violence. |
'More convictions' | 'More convictions' |
Recent years have seen the introduction of specialist domestic violence courtrooms, the training of 75 independent advisers specialising in this area and funding of a national helpline which received 137,000 calls in a year. | Recent years have seen the introduction of specialist domestic violence courtrooms, the training of 75 independent advisers specialising in this area and funding of a national helpline which received 137,000 calls in a year. |
The Home Office says conviction rates among those cases which make it to court have risen from 60% to 72% over four years. | The Home Office says conviction rates among those cases which make it to court have risen from 60% to 72% over four years. |
However, some charities have previously noted a rise in reports of domestic violence as a result of the economic downturn. | However, some charities have previously noted a rise in reports of domestic violence as a result of the economic downturn. |
Refuge, a charity which helps victims of domestic violence, has welcomed the changes to the rules on restraining orders. | Refuge, a charity which helps victims of domestic violence, has welcomed the changes to the rules on restraining orders. |
But it says it is essential the government provides the courts and the police with the resources and training to implement the orders effectively. | But it says it is essential the government provides the courts and the police with the resources and training to implement the orders effectively. |
Have you been affected by the issues in this story? Do you welcome the legal changes? Send us your views | Have you been affected by the issues in this story? Do you welcome the legal changes? Send us your views |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |