Court of Appeal delivers ruling on family court’s approach to domestic abuse – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The Court of Appeal has handed down judgment in a groundbreaking case that is expected to inform the way family courts treat allegations of domestic abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 30th March 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Interim report reveals 400 submissions over UK gymnastics abuse – The Guardian

‘A review into abuse in British gymnastics has received submissions from nearly 400 people, with 39 cases considered so serious they have been passed to local authorities because of child safeguarding reasons or concerns of ongoing criminal conduct.’

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The Guardian, 9th March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Domestic abusers to get GPS tags on release from jail in London – The Guardian

‘Domestic abuse offenders who have served a prison sentence will be tagged with a GPS tracking device in London under new a pilot project.’

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The Guardian, 9th March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Coercive and Controlling Behaviours: How are they to be dealt with in fact finding hearings after the recent case of F v M? – Becket Chambers

‘Allegations of domestic abuse are usually raised from the outset by either the applicant or respondent in private law proceedings. Further allegations may be raised at the safeguarding stage, with recommendations by Cafcass as to whether there should be a fact finding hearing, before final resolution of the case.’

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Becket Chambers, 3rd March 2021

Source: becket-chambers.co.uk

The Domestic Abuse Bill, a step in the right direction? – Garden Court Chambers

‘The Domestic Abuse Bill received its second reading stage in the House of Lords on 5 January 2021. The government has indicated a commitment to improving the justice system’s effectiveness in providing protection for victims of domestic abuse and bringing perpetrators to justice.’

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Garden Court Chambers, 1st March 2021

Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk

Campaigners welcome extra protections in domestic abuse bill – The Guardian

Posted March 2nd, 2021 in assault, bills, coercive & controlling behaviour, news, sentencing by sally

‘Campaigners have welcomed news that ministers will make non-fatal strangulation a specific criminal offence punishable by five years’ imprisonment.’

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The Guardian, 1st March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

New laws to protect victims added to Domestic Abuse Bill – Home Office

‘A raft of new amendments to the Domestic Abuse Bill will be presented, providing greater protections for victims and further clamping down on perpetrators.’

Full press release

Home Office, 1st March 2021

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Family Law Newsletter – Spire Barristers

‘Issue #43 of Spire Barristers’ Family Law Newsletter: edited by Connie Purdy and Taz Irshad; news and Case Reviews by Francesca Massarella. Francesca is due to begin pupillage at Spire Barristers in September 2021.’

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Spire Barristers, 16th February 2021

Source: spirebarristers.co.uk

Landmark hearing to examine handling of domestic abuse cases by UK courts – The Guardian

‘A landmark hearing in the court of appeal is under way to examine how cases of domestic abuse are handled by judges in the family courts.’

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The Guardian, 19th January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Fears honour-based abuse could go undetected due to ‘short-sighted’ government plans to scrap term – The Independent

‘Ministers are considering dropping references to honour-based abuse in the recording of crimes such as forced marriage, coercive control and female genital mutilation, raising concerns offences could go undetected.’

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The Independent, 6th January 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Strangling: Calls for a new non-fatal strangulation offence – BBC News

Posted January 5th, 2021 in assault, bills, coercive & controlling behaviour, domestic violence, news by sally

‘There will be a fresh move later to make non-fatal strangulation a specific criminal offence in England and Wales as the House of Lords debates an amendment to the Domestic Abuse Bill.’

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BBC News, 5th January 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Tough new domestic abuse tsar prepares to shape laws to protect threatened women – The Guardian

‘As violence soars in locked-down homes, Nicole Jacobs explains how, as commissioner, she can make a difference.’

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The Guardian, 3rd January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Jealous father guilty of murdering wife and daughter in Salisbury – The Guardian

Posted December 18th, 2020 in coercive & controlling behaviour, domestic violence, families, murder, news by sally

‘A supermarket worker has been found guilty of murdering his wife and teenage daughter after he slit their throats in a jealous rage because he was losing his “controlling” grip on the family.’

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The Guardian, 17th December 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Police accused of not taking honour-based abuse seriously as figures reveal 64% fall in recorded offences – The Independent

‘Police have been accused of not taking honour-based abuse seriously as new figures reveal a 64 per cent fall in the number of offences recorded.’

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The Independent, 17th December 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Shock new figures fuel fears of more lockdown domestic abuse killings in UK – The Guardian

‘Calls to the UK’s largest domestic abuse helpline are rising “week on week” as new figures reveal that almost 50 suspected killings may have occurred during the first lockdown.’

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The Guardian, 15th November 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Fact finding hearings: a case study F v. G [2020] EWHC 2396 – Becket Chambers

Posted November 10th, 2020 in children, coercive & controlling behaviour, news, practice directions by sally

‘The provisions of Practice Direction 12 J make it very clear that the court should determine as soon as possible whether it is necessary to conduct a fact finding hearing in relation to any disputed allegations of domestic abuse.’

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Becket Chambers, 5th November 2020

Source: becket-chambers.co.uk

All you need to know about domestic abuse and ILR – EIN Blog

‘Anyone in an abusive relationship is in a dangerous and terrifying situation. But if you are in the UK on a Spouse Visa, Civil Partnership Visa, or Unmarried Partner Visa, the situation is especially frightening. But you are not alone. And you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which will allow you to stay permanently in the UK if your relationship breaks down because of domestic violence/abuse.’

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EIN Blog, 9th November 2020

Source: www.ein.org.uk

Man who controlled ex-partner’s digital existence jailed – BBC News

‘A man who used his ex-partner’s social media accounts to send explicit clips of her to her boss and family has been jailed for three years and four months.’

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BBC News, 29th October 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Claire Parry death: PC Timothy Brehmer cleared of murder – BBC News

Posted October 27th, 2020 in coercive & controlling behaviour, guilty pleas, homicide, murder, news by sally

‘A police officer who strangled his long-term lover after she exposed their affair to his wife has been cleared of murder.’

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BBC News, 27th October 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

How smart devices are exploited for domestic abuse – BBC News

‘The number of domestic abuse cases has increased dramatically since the UK’s Covid lockdown – and tech has played a role.’

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BBC News, 18th October 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk