NCJ Number
214359
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 12 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2006 Pages: 556-567
Date Published
June 2006
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article reflects on recent public policy and legislative changes in the United Kingdom that have focused on responding to and preventing domestic violence.
Abstract
Among the significant policy and practice changes regarding domestic violence that have occurred over the past few years are major changes in police and prosecutorial response. Activist organizations and experts, while pleased with the progress made toward protecting women from domestic violence, offer further recommendations for ensuring safer outcomes for women and children. Recommendations include the development of a specific legal definition of domestic violence, stronger measures within the family justice system to ensure safe child contact, and the provision of basic social security or government grant funding for women experiencing domestic abuse. In the early 1990s, Domestic Violence Units were created within police departments with the goal of supporting women victims and the Crown Prosecution Service created positions for 43 Domestic Violence Coordinators. Other initiatives include the development of over 200 local multiagency projects, the establishment of 25 new Domestic Violence specialist criminal courts, and a national commitment to support a more intra-agency approach to domestic violence among government agencies. New legislation pertaining to domestic violence in the United Kingdom is reviewed, including the movement to make breach of Non-Molestation Orders an automatic criminal offense, the extension of injunctions for use by same sex couples, and the establishment of multiagency domestic homicide reviews. In addition to reviewing recent changes in policy and practice regarding domestic violence, the author reviews the extent and nature of domestic violence and the role of the Economic and Social Research Council’s Violence Research Program (VRP) in helping to realize the goals of a women’s activist agenda. References