“I am pleased to see the return of the Victims and Prisoners Bill to parliament today. This Bill provides a monumental opportunity to improve access to support and services for victims and survivors of domestic abuse. “I welcome the government’s support of my recommendation to require every commissioner in England to assess the needs of …
Today the Office of National Statistics has published new figures on domestic abuse which cover the 12 months to 31st March 2023. Responding to this data, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs, said: “2.1 million people over the age of 16 have been subject to domestic abuse in the past year.* Domestic abuse is a devastating …
The Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs, says: “Domestic abuse has a significant personal cost to victims and an economic cost to society of at least £74bn in a year. “I welcome this £12 million funding boost. But we must see more sustainable funding for lifesaving services for victims’ safety and wellbeing. I am calling for …
Domestic Commissioner responds to the Autumn Statement Read More »
Today, the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice have announced the first reading of two Bills in relation to the criminal justice system: The Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs, says: “The criminal justice system needs to improve its response to domestic abuse as a matter of urgency. Just four per cent of domestic abuse …
Domestic Abuse Commissioner responds to Sentencing Bill and Criminal Justice Bill Read More »
In July I presented my report, The Family Court and domestic abuse: achieving cultural change to government calling for wide reaching reform in the Family Court. The report shared concerning findings from my legal practitioner survey: more than 80 percent of those surveyed felt that the Family Court was likely to re-traumatise victims and survivors …
All 43 police forces across England and Wales and the British Transport Police have shared information about victims and survivors of domestic abuse with immigration enforcement at some point in the last three years, according to new data published today. This practice stops victims from reporting domestic abuse and allows perpetrators to evade justice, according …
Police report victims of domestic abuse to Immigration Enforcement, ’empowering abusers’ Read More »
I welcome the emphasis on the criminal justice system in the King’s Speech today. It is absolutely right that this government has named violence against women and girls as a priority. However, the criminal justice system across the board is failing victims of domestic abuse. The government’s reforms must be ambitious enough to address this. …
Domestic Abuse Commissioner responds to Criminal Justice reforms in the King’s Speech Read More »
Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, says: “The Online Safety Act is a significant step forward in protecting victims of domestic abuse from online harm. More than half of victims have experienced coercive control through social media, which can wreak havoc on their lives and seriously jeopardise their safety. This landmark legislation …
Domestic Abuse Commissioner welcomes Online Safety Act receiving Royal Assent Read More »
Domestic abuse crimes remain high in England and Wales, yet no significant improvements in criminal justice system outcomes are being made. Every agency responding to domestic abuse must deliver the highest standards for victims and survivors who take the brave steps to report, and the criminal justice system clearly has a significant role to play. …
Domestic Abuse Commissioner responds to latest domestic abuse crime statistics Read More »
The Justice Secretary Alex Chalk MP announced today that the government will introduce a presumption against prison sentences of less than 12 months and allow the prison service to let some prisoners on short sentences out of jail up to 18 days early. The Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, Nicole Jacobs, says: “Many …
