The long-awaited Domestic Abuse Bill shall become law after the House of Lords approved the bill just days before the end of the parliamentary session this week.
The bill aims to target coercive or controlling behaviour, threats to share intimate images (also known as ‘revenge porn’) and bring an end to the ‘rough sex’ defence in court. The Act will also ban cross-examination of victims by perpetrators in Court, create a standalone offence of non-fatal strangulation and give a statutory basis to Clare’s Law. The bill will also recognise children as victims of domestic abuse for the first time.
Peers had argued that stalking offenders should be registered and monitored on a register of sexual and violent offenders however Ministers have said the move will not be cost effective and have promised to strengthen the current system instead.
After all most three years of campaigning and hard work from charities, politicians and domestic abuse victims, the bill is extremely welcomed, particularly given the surge in domestic abuse due to the global pandemic which has been referred to as the ‘shadow pandemic’.
We are here to help. If you or someone you know is suffering domestic abuse, please get in touch with our family team who can provide you with the legal assistance and support required. If you are in immediate danger, call the Police on 999.
If you believe you or someone you know are suffering from domestic abuse, we are here to help. Please get in touch with our Family team in confidence by calling 08000 147720 or email family@ramsdens.co.uk. We can provide assistance and obtain urgent injunctive orders for your safety and protection remotely via telephone or email and work closely with many local organisations offering help and support to victims.