NEW POWERS ON DOMESTIC ABUSE WELCOMED

The introduction of new laws (which came into force on Wednesday 30th September 2009) which take a tougher stance on the perpetrators of domestic abuse are to be welcomed; anything that gives greater protection to victims of abuse and may make it easier for the judges to impose restraining orders on abusers that are still considered a threat even when they have been cleared must be a good thing and is surely a step in the right direction.

The new powers will enable victims to stay in their own homes with their children rather than being forced to flee to seek refuge in a shelter. Before this change in the law came in; victims of domestic abuse had to take up a separate case through civil courts to secure a restraining order. Now Judges will be able to assess the need for a restraining order on the same evidence that would have been presented to a civil court; this will streamline and speed up the process.

This is an important step forward for the rights of victims of domestic abuse. By giving victims greater protection this means that they should no longer be forced to go through civil courts to secure an injunction. I welcome any developments that offer further protection to victims and helps work to end the cycle of violence, as domestic abuse is a cycle of violence that has a devastating impact on families and communities as a whole.

In a previous occupation I saw the tragic consequences, that could (and can) result from the situation where the victims of domestic abuse have been too terrified to take the step of co-operating with the Police and prosecuting authorities. Further progress must be made to take the onus of prosecution away from the victims of domestic abuse, while at the same time ensuring that victims and their children get the fullest levels of protection, safety and security from their abusers.

The new powers are a step forward, but, it is vitally important that once these orders are in place, they are adequately funded, properly implemented and properly enforced. To make this happen it is important that both the police and courts are adequately equipped to implement and support applied orders and injunctions.

All of us would do well to remember that this development will only help those victims who speak out (something which is a tremendously courageous step in itself) and get to court in the first place, too many victims still suffer in relative (or actual) silence and never get to court and never get protection – more needs to be done to help victims of domestic abuse speak out about what is happening to them and to help them get justice.