Domestic Violence help

17 March, 2010

The Government is currently considering the Crime and Security Bill which will introduce "go orders". The orders will be issued by police officers requiring a violent family member to leave the home for a fixed period of time in order to allow the victim breathing space and safety in their own home rather than having to seek refuge elsewhere.

13 million pounds is being spent on the issue of domestic violence by the Government on addressing the problem of domestic violence, this includes training teachers with professional standards to address the issues of violence against women and girls, in addition it is hoped that the curriculum will include information about forced marriage and honour violence.

A new offence has been introduced of causing or allowing the death of a child or a vulnerable adult, this means that it is no longer possible to claim "innocent bystander" status if you are aware of a child or vulnerable adult being abused. This provision has been brought in and successfully used in the case of Sabia Rani who was murdered by her husband in 2006 whilst the family claimed that the injuries she sustained were as a result of evil spirits and not domestic violence.

The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 is approaching it's third anniversary of implementation and the powers available to the court continue to be reviewed to address the crimes committed.

Forbes family law team is made up of specialist family / divorce solicitors who offer advice on all areas of family law, including divorce, division of assets following marriage breakdown, cohabitee issues, ancillary relief, civil partnerships, children matters and change of name deeds. For further information on family / divorce issues please contact any member of our family law team.

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