Since 20 February 2023, the Government have planned to impose greater consequences for domestic abusers to provide more protection for victims of domestic abuse. For the first time the police will now be required to consider domestic violence as “a national threat” alongside acts of terrorism, serious and organised crime, and child sexual abuse.
Currently the main forms of protection are through non-molestation orders and an occupation orders. If these were to be breached, an abuser would be committing a criminal offence, and can receive either a fine or up to 5 years imprisonment. However, the Government have now proposed a change in the law to increase these consequences.
Coercive and controlling behaviour will now be given the same weight as physical violence. Abusers could be sentenced to over a year imprisonment and any suspended sentence will now be jointly controlled by the police, prison, and probation services to ensure a streamlined system.
Domestic abusers will now also face being tagged to ensure they are not going within a certain area set out in the protective orders and may be required to attend a behaviour change programme, currently being piloted in Gwent, Greater Manchester and London Boroughs of Croydon, Bromley and Sutton. Whilst this legislation is being put in place, abusers who have been sentenced for over a year for controlling or coercive behaviour will be recorded on the violent and sex offender register to ensure they “don’t fall through the cracks”.
Job centres and jobs and benefits offices across the UK will now also be offering emergency help to victims of domestic abuse. These can be located using a newly developed post code finder. DWP also actively assists victims of domestic abuse to claim benefits and offers a wide range of support including split payments, relaxation of benefit conditions, referrals to local support, arrangements for special provisions for temporary accommodation and signposting to third party support. This is likely to increase the availability of Legal Aid to victims.
In 2021 the Government launched the “ask for ANI” scheme which operates across 5,000 pharmacies. If someone “asks for ANI” they will be led to a safe and secure place where they will be able to contact either the police or domestic abuse services without fearing repercussions from the abuser.
These new proposals will hopefully act as a greater deterrent and decrease the numbers suffering from domestic abuse each year.
We can help
Ringrose Law offers a 24/7 domestic abuse support contact helpline for those requiring instant support: 07739 748 675.