1. Draft domestic abuse bill
What you need to know
Draft domestic abuse bill

2. What prompted the bill? Formed part of Conservative manifesto in 2017
Escalating statistics and media reporting on cases
Need for a clear legal framework in both criminal and family courts
Disconnect in legislation
Social and economic evolution in family structures

3. main proposals
A definition of ‘domestic abuse’ – to be wider and more easily understood
A commissioner to be appointed and be responsible for prevention of domestic abuse and for provision of support for those abused
New police powers and preventative notices and orders
Appointed advocates to tackle the issue of special measures in the family courts

4. objectives of the bill
promote awareness – to put domestic abuse at the top of everyone’s agenda, and raise public and professional
protect and support – to enhance the safety of victims and the support that they receive
transform the justice process – to prioritise victim safety in the criminal and family courts, and review the perpetrator journey from identification to rehabilitation
improve performance – to drive consistency and better performance in the response to domestic abuse across all local areas, agencies and sectors
- Transforming the Response to Domestic Abuse
Consultation Response and Draft Bill, January 2019

5. What will have the most impact?
‘New’ definition of DA
Changes to witness handling in family matters
New orders available: Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs)
Unification of legislation
Additional funding for service providers?

6. Where is the bill lacking?
Criminalisation of financial abuse
Assessing vulnerabilities of migrant victims/issues around immigration
Clear procedure as to those unrepresented in the family courts
The impact of the division of benefits e.g. universal credit/joint receipt.
Prosecutions when victims withdraw support
Non-biological carers – esp. LGBT parents, step parents and grandparents.
Issues surrounding malicious allegations

7. Addressing wider issues
Education as to what constitutes ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ relationships
Housing and refuge crisis - lack of funds for front line service providers
Understanding DA at a grass roots level – cultural, social and economic influences.
Shift responsibility from victims accessing help to perpetrators repeating damaging behaviour
The changing face of DA e.g. evolving family structures
How will Brexit affect Bill?