Policing domestic abuse: the onus on first responders – Policing and Society

Posted March 20th, 2024 in criminal justice, domestic violence, news, police by sally

‘The police first responder has a central role in the multi-agency response to domestic abuse in most jurisdictions and is uniquely placed to solicit information from the victim-survivor about the experiences and behaviours they have witnessed first-hand. The College of Policing advises that first response officers have a dual role when attending domestic callouts: to recognise signs of abuse and prevent offences from occurring, and identify criminal offences so that offenders can be brought to justice. The frontline encounter by police is a pivotal moment for myriad reasons. Sharing results and reflections from our experiences of evaluating a number of innovative approaches to the policing of domestic abuse in the UK context, we illustrate the onus placed on the police first responder. In the effort to improve the overall criminal justice response to domestic abuse, we argue that a greater appreciation of this onus is needed amongst all criminal justice and multi-agency practitioners. Furthermore, we argue that greater support for police first responders is needed to improve outcomes for all following this encounter.’

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Policing and Society, 12th March 2024

Source: www.tandfonline.com

Year of targeted action to better protect women – Ministry of Justice

Posted March 19th, 2024 in consultations, domestic violence, Ministry of Justice, news, sentencing, women by tracey

‘Cowardly domestic killers face tougher sentences than ever before as a direct result of decisive government action – one year on from the publication of Clare Wade KC’s review.’

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Ministry of Justice, 18th March 2024

Source: www.gov.uk

HMP Woodhill: Prison staff made insufficient checks on inmate found dead – BBC News

‘Prison staff failed to properly check on a prisoner the morning he was found dead, the prisons ombudsman has ruled.’

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BBC News, 18th March 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Sentencing Council to make changes to manslaughter guidelines and introduce new guidance for sentencing pregnant offenders – Sentencing Council

‘Changes to a number of sentencing guidelines have been published by the Sentencing Council following a consultation on miscellaneous amendments. The changes, which will come into effect on 1 April 2024, include amendments to the manslaughter guidelines made in response to recommendations in the Domestic Homicide Sentencing Review and the introduction of a new, dedicated mitigating factor providing guidance for courts on sentencing pregnant offenders and new mothers.’

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Sentencing Council, 18th March 2024

Source: www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk

Plans to release prisoners early ‘endangers domestic abuse victims’ – The Independent

‘Fears have been raised that plans to release prisoners on short sentences up to two months early leave victims of domestic abuse at grave risk.’

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The Independent, 12th March 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Killed Women Count – The Guardian

Posted March 8th, 2024 in domestic violence, homicide, murder, news, statistics, women by sally

‘A project highlighting the toll and tragedy of violence against women in the UK.’

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The Guardian, 8th March 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Unlawful Act Manslaughter or Gross Negligence Manslaughter? – St Pauls Chambers

‘On 29th November a jury sitting at Stafford Crown Court (Calver J) acquitted the defendant of unlawful act manslaughter and convicted him of gross negligence manslaughter.’

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St Pauls Chambers, 28th February 2024

Source: www.stpaulschambers.com

Lives at risk due to Clare’s Law delays – daughter – BBC News

‘The daughter of a woman who was murdered by her ex-partner has said she fears more people will be killed because of “poor” handling of an abuse prevention scheme set up in her mother’s memory.’

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BBC News, 7th March 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

An interesting sentencing exercise – St Pauls Chambers

‘On 4.2.24 CLOWES was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment suspended for 2 years for gross negligence manslaughter.’

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St Pauls Chambers, 28th February 2024

Source: www.stpaulschambers.com

Family Drug and Alcohol Court model suitable for domestic abuse cases even where no substance misuse, says judge – Local Government Lawyer

Posted March 7th, 2024 in alcohol abuse, domestic violence, drug abuse, family courts, news by sally

‘A judge sitting in the Family Court has highlighted the successful use of the Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) model in a case where the main presenting difficulty was domestic abuse.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 6th March 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Joanna Simpson: Wife killer loses bid for release from prison – BBC News

Posted February 29th, 2024 in appeals, domestic violence, homicide, news, parole by sally

‘A man who killed his millionairess wife with a claw hammer has lost a court bid to be freed from prison.’

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BBC News, 28th February 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Edith Thompson: Hanged woman’s case denied pardon bid – BBC News

‘The case of a woman hanged over 100 years ago for the murder of her husband does not meet the requirements for a royal pardon, a commission has ruled.’

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BBC News, 28th February 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Sobhia Khan: Concern over hospital release of man who killed wife – BBC News

‘A coroner has found “numerous failings” led to a man being able to beat his wife to death after his release from a secure psychiatric unit.’

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BBC News, 27th February 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Tougher sentences for ‘rough sex’ killers – Ministry of Justice

‘Cowards who kill their partners with sexual violence will face longer behind bars as the government continues to clamp down on domestic abuse against women.’

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Ministry of Justice, 14th February 2024

Source: www.gov.uk

Judge criticises regular misunderstanding of Lady Hale’s “nothing else will do” adoption comment – Local Government Lawyer

‘It appears there is a regular misunderstanding or misapplication of the words of Lady Hale in the Supreme Court case of Re B that in relation to the test for adoption, “nothing else will do”, a Family Court judge has warned.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 14th February 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Police failed to investigate officer abuse complaints, say women – BBC News

‘Seven women are accusing Devon and Cornwall Police of failing to investigate serving and former officers for domestic abuse and sexual violence.’

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BBC News, 12th February 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Husband jailed for killing wife in car fire – BBC News

Posted February 9th, 2024 in domestic violence, families, imprisonment, married persons, murder, news, sentencing by michael

‘An 80-year-old man who killed his wife in a “uniquely savage” car fire has been given a life sentence with a minimum of 21 years and eight months.’

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BBC News, 9th February 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Fatal domestic abuse reviews renamed to better recognise suicide cases – Home Office

Posted February 6th, 2024 in bereavement, bills, consultations, domestic violence, homicide, news, suicide by tracey

‘Domestic Homicide Reviews will be renamed to Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews following calls to better recognise deaths from domestic abuse related suicide.’

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Home Office, 5th February 2024

Source: www.gov.uk

Neath Port Talbot: Mathew Pickering jailed for life for murder – BBC News

‘A man who murdered his on-off girlfriend has been sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 17-and-a-half years.’

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BBC News, 5th February 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

High Court judge gives guidance on use of intermediaries in Family Court – Local Government Lawyer

‘The High Court has given guidance on the use of intermediaries in the Family Court, in a case concerning a 2-and-a-half year old girl, which was in week 127 at the hearing last month.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 25th January 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk