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Network Journal Issue 04 |
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Domestic violence Bill will aid victims – at last
The Government has announced it will introduce a Bill on domestic violence which could be on the statute books before the end of next year.
This Bill is perhaps the most radical reform on behalf of victims and witnesses for a quarter of a century. The main proposals:
- Give the police significant new powers to deal with domestic violence.
- Strengthen civil law to ensure that same sex couples, and couples who have never lived together or have never married, are protected from harassment and intimidation.
- For the first time, survivors of violence will have guaranteed rights to support, information and advice from the criminal justice agencies.
The Bill has already proved controversial over the issue of 'provocation'. The perpetrators of violence often use this defence to secure a lesser charge.
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