'LANDMARK' OVERHAUL FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE LAWS?

New domestic abuse legislation could be coming into power soon, which could be more helpful for victims than the current law.

Domestic abuse victims will receive new measures to protect them in what ministers say will be “landmark legislation”.  The new law will create a legal definition of domestic abuse, to include economic abuse and control, outside crimes of violence where there are victims who are psychologically manipulated, as well as those who have no control of their finances. The long-awaited legislation will also ban abusers from cross-examining victims in family courts.

The draft bill going before MPs will also include:

• New powers to force abusers into behaviour-changing rehabilitation programmes
• Making the victims automatically eligible for special protections when they are giving evidence in criminal trials
• Setting up a national "domestic abuse commissioner" tasked with improving the response and support for victims across public services

However, given that the Government is currently pre-occupied with Brexit, it is not clear when there will be Parliamentary time to turn the measures into law.

Here at Vines Legal, we provide a free initial consultation to talk through your problems and help you find a solution. Call us on 01246 555610 to make an appointment.