Shake-Up Of Domestic Violence Laws Planned

Shake-Up Of Domestic Violence Laws Planned – December 2011

Ministers are planning a shake-up of domestic violence laws that could see “controlling” partners face criminal charges.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is to launch a new consultation within days aimed at bringing in a legal definition of what constitutes abuse against a spouse or partner.

There were more than one million victims of domestic violence in England and Wales last year, according to the Home Office. Across the UK, one in four women are
likely to experience some level of domestic abuse. At present there is no specific criminal offence of domestic violence in Britain, although that may be about to change.

Survivors of domestic abuse have hailed the news as a step in the right direction. “When it starts off they are very careful and you don’t even realise it’s occurring,” said broadcaster Sonia Poulton, who was in an abusive relationship for three years. “The important thing people need to realise is that it isn’t just physical. He never laid a finger on me. “It’s more dangerous because it takes longer to realise what’s taking place.

“I went to bed every night and cried myself asleep because I was in love with him. “He would criticise my clothes, my hair, even my friends. When anyone called on the phone he would just stand there in the background… a seething, silent presence.”

The consultation could also be extended to take in those under 18 for the first time amid concern that teenage girls in particular are suffering at the hands of abusive boyfriends. The new definition would also cover women who bully their partners.

16 Days of Action Against Gender Violence

16 Days of Action against Gender Violence. Greater Manchester timetable of events 25 November to 10 December 2011. 2011 16 days timetable 2 

What is the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign?

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991. Participants chose the dates, November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women and December 10, International Human Rights Day, in order to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights. This 16-day period also highlights other significant dates including November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1, World AIDS Day, and December 6, which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre.

The 16 Days Campaign has been used as an organising strategy by individuals and groups around the world to call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women by:

• raising awareness about gender-based violence as a human rights issue at the local, national, regional and international levels
• strengthening local work around violence against women
• establishing a clear link between local and international work to end violence against women
• providing a forum in which organizers can develop and share new and effective strategies
• demonstrating the solidarity of women around the world organizing against violence against women
• creating tools to pressure governments to implement promises made to eliminate violence against women

Over 2,000 organizations in approximately 156 countries have participated in the 16 Days Campaign since 1991!

SURVIVING ECONOMIC ABUSE

A new online resource developed by Nicola Sharp, former Head of Policy at Refuge, providing information about economic abuse and links to a wide range of agencies who are able to advise and assist survivors of financial abuse. Click here for more information

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE PILOTS NEW POWERS TO BAN DOMESTIC ABUSERS FROM VICTIMS HOME

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE PILOTS NEW POWERS TO BAN DOMESTIC ABUSERS FROM VICTIMS HOME

As of the 10th October 2011 the DVPOs are extended to cover the whole of the city of Manchester, Oldham, Salford and Bolton. Download DVPO leaflet here

Greater Manchester Police is today (30^th June 2011) launching new police powers to protect victims of domestic abuse by removing violent partners from the family home.
Greater Manchester Police, together with West Mercia and Wiltshire Police, have been chosen to run a 12-month pilot that gives police new powers to give victims of domestic abuse the time, space and support to plan a safer future, by keeping the perpetrator away.
The Domestic Violence Protection Orders – also known as “go orders” – will allow senior police officers on three of GMP’s divisions, South Manchester, the Metropolitan and Oldham, to act instantly to safeguard families they consider a threat.  The Orders will be used to intervene in cases where police are worried about violent behaviour within a household, but do not have enough evidence to bring a criminal charge.

Under the present law, only those arrested and charged with an offence can be barred from their home, either through bail conditions or by the victim seeking an order in the civil courts.  The new measures will give police the power to ban violent abusers from their homes for between 14 and 28 days, allowing the victims to stay in their own homes rather than flee to a friend’s home, or a refuge, to escape their abuser.  This will give them vital respite and give them time to consider their options.  If abusers breach the Order it could then lead to a prison sentence.

As part of the scheme, victims will also be offered help and advice by caseworkers on the options open to them if they left the relationship – including securing a longer-term injunction.  Abusers will also be given the chance to attend an offenders programme run by the Probation Service, helping to nip abusive behaviour in the bud and prevent any future incidents.

Assistant Chief Constable Terry Sweeney of Greater Manchester Police said: “We are pleased to be one of the Force areas chosen to pilot the Domestic Violence Protection Orders.

“Everyone has a right to feel safe in in their homes and have a future without fear and these new powers will help save lives by reducing harm within the home.  Nationally two women a week die due to domestic abuse and our aim is to reduce the harm caused by Domestic Abuse and help victims regain control of their lives and move forwards to secure a safer, happier future.”

*Annie, a victim and survivor of 30 years of domestic abuse from Greater Manchester, said: “The new police powers recognise that victims and their families need protection and have rights too. I was confused, traumatised and worn down by the drip-by-drip process of abuse over years. The new orders acknowledge the complexity and seriousness of domestic abuse. From my experience, it is unlikely that the ‘first reported offence’ is the first, and even if it is, without appropriate intervention, it won’t be the last. If things had been different years ago, I might not have spent years in purgatory believing the fault was mine.”

Joe Tumelty, Assistant Chief Executive, Greater Manchester Probation Trust, said:” Stopping the harmful behaviour of domestic violence offenders is more likely to succeed when there is a multi-agency response. To complement the DVPO scheme, Greater Manchester Probation Trust has recently launched a training course for domestic abuse perpetrators designed to challenge and change their behaviour. Called “Improving Relationships – Supporting Change” (IR-SC) it is a 12-session course aimed at men who have not been convicted of domestic abuse but have come to the attention of the police or other agencies for domestic abuse related incidents. It is intended that this course, which also separately provides support for the abused partner, will address the reasons behind the aggression . It requires men to understand what drives them to react violently and the impact of their behaviour on others. The combination of sanctions by the police, support for partners and treatment for the men, provides a comprehensive approach to reducing the likelihood of it happening again.”

Councillor Suzanne Richards, Manchester City Council’s lead member for women, said: “Victims of abuse often have to flee their own homes – sometimes taking their children with them – causing them even more distress while their abusers are able to remain in the comfort of their homes.  I am confident these orders will help us turn this situation on its head and put more power into the hands of victims.

“No women in Manchester should have to put up with domestic abuse, and these orders will help in dealing with this serious issue.”

Cllr Jean Stretton Oldham Council Lead Member for Community Safety said: “Domestic Violence is unacceptable and victims often have to flee their homes.  These orders will give a ‘breathing space’ so victims and their families can receive support and help in making decisions about their future.  They send a powerful message to offenders that their behaviour is unacceptable”.

If domestic abuse is happening to you, or someone you know, please call the Greater Manchester Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0161 636 7525 or visit www.endthefear.co.uk for help and advice.