Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Dame Nicole Jacobs, said:
“Following the Lord Chancellor’s statement on the Gauke review, I am encouraged to hear the government recognising the unique risk domestic abusers and stalkers pose to their victims.
“It’s right that any perpetrator who breaches a stalking or domestic abuse protective order should still be eligible for a short custodial sentence, as we know this is often the only time victims get to make themselves safe.
“Ensuring that Judges must consider risk assessments for domestic abusers and stalkers when they are sentenced is also a positive first step. But for these to be effective, the assessments must include input from specialist domestic abuse organisations so that a clear picture of the fluctuating risk they pose to their victim is gathered.
“I am also pleased to see the Lord Chancellor commit to ensuring domestic abusers can be identified throughout the criminal justice system and that the government intends to expand the use of Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts.
“I do however remain hugely concerned about proposals for automatic release following recall and the risk this measure poses to victims’ lives. It is absolutely critical that any breach linked to the victim sees perpetrators returned to prison and kept there until their risk to the victim has been thoroughly assessed and robustly managed by probation.”