NCJ Number
121618
Date Published
1989
Length
33 pages
Annotation
Historical differences between British civil and criminal law protections for women victimized by domestic violence are discussed with emphasis on legislation and relevant case law.
Abstract
During the past decade, civil remedies for endangered and battered wives have increased. Non-molestation and ouster injunction orders are discussed, along with the power of arrest, which can be attached to the injunctions. Statistics on how these injunctions were handled in courts in various parts of England and Wales are discussed in detail, as are domestic violence cases considered by the Court of Appeal and the House of Lords. Criminal remedies for violence to women are also discussed, with the observation that criminal violence committed against wives, cohabitees or girlfriends is rarely dealt with in criminal courts. Policies on domestic violence such as homicide, threats to kill, assault, rape, and spousal rape are detailed. Reform of substantive law to bring about equality for women should be of the highest priority for feminist activists in the United Kingdom.