Advertisement
Share your view on the Big Issue and you could win £100 of John Lewis vouchers
Have Your Say
News

A ban on the cross-examination of domestic abuse victims is still delayed

Women’s Aid, Resolution and The Law Society have hit out at the government for a lack of progress on the promised legislation, and have called for an urgent ban

Law

Domestic abuse victims are still coming face to face with their abusers in family courts, according to Women’s Aid, Resolution and The Law Society, which have called on the government to bring forward promised legislation banning the cross-examination of domestic victims by alleged perpetrators.

Current practice allows alleged abusers to question and interrogate their victim in family courts, but not in criminal proceedings.

In February 2017, then Justice Secretary Liz Truss committed to legislate to ban alleged abusers from being able to cross-examine their victim in the family courts through its Prison and Courts Bill. The Bill fell through due to the 2017 General Election and although a commitment to bring forward a ban was set out in the subsequent Queen’s Speech, the prohibition – which has cross-party support – has not yet been brought forward in legislation.

Just a year after the government pledge, research by Women’s Aid and Queen Mary University of London found that nearly a quarter of domestic abuse victims surveyed reported their ex-partner was allowed to cross-examine them in child contact hearings in family courts, a practice that the organisation claims has a “traumatic impact” and diminished the victims ability to give evidence.

Katie Ghose, chief executive of Women’s Aid, said it is “a matter of urgency” that the government bans the practice.

“We know that perpetrators of domestic abuse are using the family courts to continue to control and abuse victims, and that the family courts’ failure to consistently safeguard survivors during the court process is enabling that abuse,” she said.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Research from the charity last month found that survivors and their children were forced to sleep rough due to failings from local authorities in finding them suitable accommodation.

Image: iStock

Advertisement

Never miss an issue

Take advantage of our special New Year subscription offer. Subscribe from just £9.99 and never miss an issue.

Recommended for you

View all
It's been a decade since UK inflation fell to 0%. Here's why that's 'actually quite a bad thing'
Images of George Osborne and Rachel Reeves holding the budget box. Images: Flickr/ HM Treasury
Inflation

It's been a decade since UK inflation fell to 0%. Here's why that's 'actually quite a bad thing'

Labour says new energy efficiency rules for landlords will save renters £240 a year on bills
Environment secretary Ed Miliband
Energy bills

Labour says new energy efficiency rules for landlords will save renters £240 a year on bills

Social housing waiting lists to soar to two million people in 10 years, report finds
Row of terraced houses with cars on the road in front
Social housing

Social housing waiting lists to soar to two million people in 10 years, report finds

DWP blasted for blowing half a million pounds defending disability benefit cuts: 'What a failure'
Disability benefits

DWP blasted for blowing half a million pounds defending disability benefit cuts: 'What a failure'

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know