Domestic Abuse Bill Passed

The government announced yesterday that the Domestic Abuse Bill will pass into law allowing for a future proofing of legislative powers to greater enshrine the protection of individuals who are often the most vulnerable with no recourse for safety in their homes. Whilst many have been campaigning for more rigorous procedures for decades to better enshrine protection for those at the greatest risk in society we have to think how these measures can safeguard the future.

With the pressures of lockdown having an impact on us all we have to remember that many are often under siege in their own homes. Whilst the bill will provide further support as well as future proofing under law such as recognising that children suffer in their own right in households where domestic abuse is present. By ensuring that local authorities react quicker to domestic abuse it can also go some way in breaking the cycle of abuse by reducing children’s exposure to abuse as well as letting them deal with the situation with counselling. Thereby reviewing the family court system as well to prevent children being placed with known domestic abusers. Other amendments were also included such as removing the cross examining component where the accused abuser is present in the court room to prevent further distress. Other amendments were included such as those which looked at types of assaults which were often restricted to manslaughter are now able to be addressed as murder cases such as rough sex excuses have been removed as well as particular incidences like strangulation.

With other forms of abuse becoming more apparent in society outside of physical abuse such as financial and technological abuse utilising further provisions as safeguards will go some way of protecting individuals in the future as well as today. Whilst the bill needs ensure that it safeguards all victims of domestic abuse highlighting that various individuals suffer from abuse whether they be man, woman or child. These safeguards have to be applied with equal measure and without bias as although statistics show us that women are particularly vulnerable to physical abuse this can be extended to men as well which we need to ensure the law is not applied in bias.