Millions in UK do not know the meaning of coercive control – The Independent

Posted July 6th, 2022 in coercive & controlling behaviour, domestic violence, news by sally

‘Millions in the UK have no understanding of the meaning of coercive control despite the fact the offence is illegal, according to a new study.’

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The Independent, 5th July 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Watchdogs condemn police response to domestic abuse claims against officers – The Guardian

‘Police forces in England and Wales are responding to reports of their own officers committing domestic abuse in a way that is “significantly harming the public interest”, with just 9% of such allegations leading to criminal charges, a joint watchdog investigation has found.’

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The Guardian, 30th June 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Government To Partially Comply With Istanbul Convention Against Domestic Abuse And Sexual Violence – Each Other

Posted June 28th, 2022 in domestic violence, immigration, news, sexual offences, treaties, women by sally

‘In May, Home secretary, Priti Patel, announced that the UK will comply with the Istanbul Convention after a 10-year delay. The UK will now seek to ratify the Convention by 31 July. It is the first legally-binding treaty with minimum legal standards which governments must meet to combat violence against women. After a decade of waiting, concerns have been raised though that the government has and will continue to fail migrant and refugee women, as the government is ‘reserving their right‘ not to comply with article 59, which would end some migrants’ dependence on abusive partners for their immigration status.’

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Each Other, 27th June 2022

Source: eachother.org.uk

‘Honour killings? It should be called the devil’s work’: Bekhal Mahmod on the murder of her sister – The Guardian

Posted June 23rd, 2022 in domestic violence, families, forced marriages, murder, news by sally

‘After Banaz Mahmod was killed by her father, uncle and three other men in 2006, it was her sister’s testimony that helped bring them to justice. Before the release of her memoir she tells of her rage at what happened and why she is still living in hiding.’

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The Guardian, 22nd June 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Domestic abuse and defamation – Transparency Project

Posted June 22nd, 2022 in defamation, domestic violence, families, news by sally

‘This is a post about a defamation trial where one party (the claimant – C) is claiming the other party (the defendant – D) has caused his reputation serious harm by making statements that allege domestic abuse by C against D. Far removed from the recent Depp-Heard trial in the US, this case is being heard in London and the parties are not celebrities: C is described as a businessman and D is a school teacher.’

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Transparency Project, 22nd June 2022

Source: transparencyproject.org.uk

Management transfers and public functions: R(TRX) v Network Homes – Nearly Legal

Posted June 20th, 2022 in domestic violence, equality, housing, judicial review, landlord & tenant, news by tracey

‘This judicial review of R(TRX) v Network Homes (2022) EWHC 456 (Admin) CO/3538/2021 is a useful restatement of the principles which apply in determining when decisions of Private Registered Providers of social housing (Housing Associations) can be judicially reviewed. The case concerned an application for a management transfer following threats of domestic abuse made to the Claimant, TRX, by X, her former partner. The Claimant brought 6 grounds of review after her request for a management transfer was refused by the Defendant. ‘

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Nearly Legal, 19th June 2022

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

Financial Remedy Update, June 2022 – Family Law Week

Posted June 17th, 2022 in children, divorce, domestic violence, families, family courts, fees, news by tracey

‘Rose-Marie Drury, Principle Associate at Mills & Reeve LLP considers the most important news and case law relating to financial remedies and divorce during May 2022.’

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Family Law Week, 13th June 2022

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

England’s new strangulation law – and why it is needed – The Guardian

Posted June 9th, 2022 in criminal justice, domestic violence, news, podcasts by sally

‘A new law specifically targeting non-fatal strangulation comes into effect this week in England and Wales. Yvonne Roberts explains why it is necessary.’

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The Guardian, 8th June 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Barring orders – strengthened guidance on section 91(14) to stop repeated applications – Transparency Project

‘Parents who live under the shadow of constant threats by ex-partners of being taken back to court, with repeated applications about their children, will now get more protection from this happening.“Barring orders” is the name commonly given to orders the Family Court can make to stop future unnecessary applications being made, where it appears it’s likely a party is going to try to keep returning to court in a way that will harass and disturb the other party.’

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Transparency Project, 7th June 2022

Source: transparencyproject.org.uk

Jade’s Law: Family ask MPs to curb killers’ parental rights – BBC News

Posted June 8th, 2022 in children, domestic violence, families, murder, news, parental rights by sally

‘The family of a woman murdered by her estranged husband aim to curb perpetrators’ parental rights by lobbying MPs in Westminster later.’

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BBC News, 8th June 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Abusers face up to five years in jail with new non-fatal strangulation offence – The Independent

‘A new offence of non-fatal strangulation has come into force, meaning abusers will now face up to five years behind bars.’

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The Independent, 6th June 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme guidance published – Family Law

Posted June 6th, 2022 in codes of practice, disclosure, domestic violence, families, news, police by tracey

‘The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), often referred to as “Clare’s Law”, was implemented across all police forces in England and Wales in March 2014. It means members of the public can ask the police for information on their partner’s criminal history and therefore know if their partner poses a risk to them.’

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Family Law, 27th May 2022

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Why did the Depp-Heard libel outcomes differ in the US and UK? – The Guardian

Posted June 6th, 2022 in defamation, domestic violence, foreign jurisdictions, internet, juries, news by tracey

‘Analysis: Specialist lawyers, a jury trial, social media and targeting Heard all helped Depp win in Virginia.’

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The Guardian, 2nd June 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

All strangulation of women is serious – and it’s time for the law to step up – The Guardian

Posted May 31st, 2022 in assault, domestic violence, news, prosecutions, sentencing, women by sally

‘Next month, on 7 June, as part of the Domestic Abuse Act (2021), non-fatal strangulation (NFS) and suffocation becomes a free-standing offence, punishable by up to five years in prison in England and Wales. Campaigners including the Centre for Women’s Justice (CWJ) and We Can’t Consent To This – who challenged the defence where the perpetrator claims it happened as part of “rough sex gone wrong” – have long argued that NFS, if prosecuted at all, was frequently charged as common assault, receiving a sentence of a few months.’

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The Guardian, 29th May 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Agent’s abused former partner in legal action against MI5 – BBC News

‘A woman who was terrorised and abused by an MI5 agent is taking legal action against the security service.’

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BBC News, 21st May 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

When can parental responsibility be removed from a terrible parent? – Transparency Project

‘In the summer of 2021, Jade Ward was killed by her estranged husband Russell Marsh at their family home. He is now serving a life sentence for her murder. She leaves behind four little boys who are now being raised by her mother and other family members. This is not an isolated tragedy. Each year, many women are killed by their partners or former partners, and it is likely that many of those will have children.’

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Transparency Project, 18th May 2022

Source: transparencyproject.org.uk

Withholding religious divorce controlling and coercive behaviour: Moher – Law & Religion UK

‘In 2021, the UK Parliament passed amendments to the Domestic Abuse Bill and the Serious Crime Act which stipulated that withholding a Get can constitute a violation of those laws. The draft statutory guidance under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 recognised that withholding a religious divorce both by Muslim and Jewish husbands may constitute controlling or coercive behaviour and a form of spiritual abuse which could lead the husband to be imprisoned. This development was in reaction to various calls for action to tackle the issue of ‘chained wives’ in religious communities.’

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Law & Religion UK, 17th May 2022

Source: lawandreligionuk.com

Five killers including triple murderer who smothered his baby have jail terms reviewed by judges – The Independent

Posted May 5th, 2022 in appeals, child abuse, domestic violence, murder, news, sentencing by sally

‘Five notorious killers including Sarah Everard’s murderer and a father who smothered his own baby daughter are having their sentences reviewed by senior judges.’

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The Independent, 5th May 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Sex offenders being freed from UK military jail without any probation supervision, report warns – The Independent

‘Sex offenders and domestic abusers are being freed from the UK’s military jail “without any safeguards or probation supervision”, inspectors have warned.’

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The Independent, 5th May 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Worcestershire pizza shop owner found guilty of murdering and burying his wife – The Guardian

‘A pizza shop owner has been convicted of murdering his wife and burying her body in an unmarked grave that police did not discover for more than six months, despite extensive searches.’

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The Guardian, 3rd May 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com