Domestic Violence
Safety and Justice: The Government's Proposals on Domestic Violence
This document is published for archival/historical purposes. It will not be updated.
The Home Office has published a paper outlining new proposals to tackle domestic violence, including possible legislation. The proposals are out to consultation at the moment and the views of practitioners would be very welcome.
Title: Safety and Justice: the Government's Proposals on Domestic Violence
Authors: Home Office
Number of pages:72 (a 2-page summary is also available)
Date published: June 2003
Availability: Download full report 
PDF 869Kb
Proposals in the paper include:
Work to prevent domestic violence through education, awareness raising and getting information to victims;
Tackling risk factors such as alcohol and drugs misuse;
Supporting police pro-arrest policies by making common assault an arrestable offence;
Stronger legal protection for victims through extending the use and enforcement of restraining orders;
A register of civil orders to allow the police to check for outstanding orders against an alleged offender, so they can take immediate action to protect the victim; and
More refuge places as a result of £19m of new investment in refuge provision this year and moves to ensure that victims who are still subject to immigration control can have access to refuge support.
The proposals in the consultation paper include legislative and other measures. The Government announced in February 2003 that it was to bring forward a draft Bill later that year and would legislate as soon as Parliamentary time allows. The consultation was open until September 2003.
Getting a copy
Download Safety and Justice: the Government's Proposals on Domestic Violence PDF 869Kb
Details of the new act can be found in our summary of the National Plan for Domestic Violence published in March 2005.
Last update: Wednesday, August 27, 2008