September 30, 2009: New Powers To Combat Domestic
Violence
Violent partners will be banned from
their homes and their
victims given support to escape abuse under new government proposals.
The police will be able to issue
domestic violence protection orders, known as ‘Go’ orders, to bar the
perpetrators of domestic violence from their homes for up to a fortnight,
giving their victims breathing space to consider their options.
Currently, victims can only be protected immediately if the perpetrator is
charged and bail conditions set, or if a civil injunction is sought by the
victim. This means that in many cases, the only option for victims is to
escape to temporary accommodation. The 'Go' orders will allow police to give
evidence on the victim's behalf, removing the perpetrator from the home and
preventing contact with the victim where they are concerned about the
on-going risk of violence.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said:
‘It is not right that victims of
domestic violence, who have already suffered so much, are forced out of
their home. It is both safer and fairer to remove the abuser.'
'"Go" orders will be another valuable tool to help protect victims, and
tackle perpetrators of domestic violence.'
Refuge
Chief Executive Sandra Horley OBE said:
'Protecting abused women and children is at
the heart of what Refuge does. These new orders will protect women from
further risk of domestic violence if they are implemented effectively.'
These new powers will complement
restraining orders which come into force today, to help protect victims of
harassment (including domestic abuse), where an offender has been prosecuted
for any criminal offence, not just harassment offences.
Criminal courts will also have greater freedom to grant restraining orders
when abusers appear before them, giving victims immediate protection and
sparing them the ordeal of starting a separate civil action.
New legislation will be needed to implement the orders. They will be piloted
in two, yet to be decided, police force areas to test the impact of the
orders, in particular the impact on victim’s safety.
The
National Domestic Violence Delivery Plan is available online.
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