The family lawyer from Morecrofts on new powers available to help victims of domestic violence
VICTIMS of domestic abuse can use new laws to protect themselves. On average, one in four women and one in six men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime and Victim Support help more than 400,000 cases a year.
Domestic abuse takes many forms, it is not just physical violence – it can be sexual, psychological or emotional abuse, which despite common misunderstandings, are all recognised and can be addressed by the law.
There have been changes in legislation that now mean wider powers are available to address violence. Under the new law, common assault is now an arrestable offence and injunction orders have become more far reaching. A victim who has had a significant intimate relationship is now able to take out an injunction. This can therefore include non-cohabiting couples, whereas previously this wasn’t the case.
Breaching such an injunction order is now a criminal offence and can be punishable by up to five years in prison. This gives the police new powers to arrest the perpetrator without requiring the victim to prosecute them.
The legal changes also allow under 18s to apply for injunction orders in their own right, and this can be done for children under 16 too, where the Court is satisfied they are capable of making such decisions.