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Family Solicitors

Should domestic abusers be put on a register in order to protect survivors? (15 August 2017)

Date: 15/08/2017
Duncan Lewis, Family Solicitors, Should domestic abusers be put on a register in order to protect survivors?

A new report has revealed that the number of domestic abuse victims across London has risen by 15% in the last two years. Figures have shown that domestic abuse now accounts for almost one in ten criminal offences in the city, with 62,546 reported victims in 2014 rising to 71,926 in 2016.

London Assembly Labour group leader Len Duvall has described the increase as “alarming” considering recent legal crackdowns on domestic abuse, and Duvall has launched the Domestic Abuse in London report. The report has called for domestic abusers to be put on a register as part of a “vital step” to protect victims and survivors.

It is estimated that 40% of domestic abuse survivors are repeat victims, and in response to this the report has called for Government to introduce a register – much like the register for sex offenders – as this could allow the police to hold information on perpetrators and better protect survivors. This would require offenders to give the police their personal details and update them with any changes.

Domestic violence protection orders, which ban domestic abusers from returning to a residence or having contact with the victim for 28 days, were among a number of measures introduced in 2014. Current measures also include criminal behaviour orders to prevent people from contacting or approaching their victims, restraining orders, and the domestic violence disclosure scheme, popularly known as Clare’s Law. Clare’s Law is named after victim Clare Wood who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend, who had a history of violence against women, in 2009. Clare’s Law allows people to find out from the police if their partner has a history of domestic abuse, and could therefore provide information protecting someone from becoming a victim of a domestic attack.

Len Duvall commented:

“It’s time to get tough. We need to send a clear message to anyone committing domestic abuse that the police have them on their radar. A register of domestic abusers could provide a vital step change in the way we prevent reoffending and protect Londoners from these devastating crimes.”

Emine Mehmet of Duncan Lewis Solicitors commented:

“It is evident that change is needed to prevent the increasing number of domestic violence victims. To protect survivors, there needs to be a clear message that domestic violence will not be tolerated.”

Emine has extensive experience in all aspects of childcare and family law, including domestic violence matters, and she specialises in international children/cross border matter and public law children matters. She is a member of the Law Society Child Law Panel and has a significant care proceedings practice as well as a cross border practice in Hague Convention proceedings (child abduction). In 2016 Emine was shortlisted for two awards at the 2016 LawWorks annual pro bono awards and won the Jordan’s pro bono lawyer of the year award 2016, with Duncan Lewis family department winning the Jordans Family team of the Year 2015 award.

Duncan Lewis Family Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Family Solicitors can advise victims of domestic abuse on how to tackle the issues within the law, including advising on controlling or coercive behaviour, domestic abuse between partners or spouses or same sex partners, child-parent domestic abuse, elder abuse, domestic abuse between friends or flatmates, and financial abuse.

Duncan Lewis is also able to advise on FGM, forced marriage, honour crimes and dowry disputes – and advises on family law under the laws of England and Wales and Islamic law.

For expert legal advice on tackling domestic abuse, call Duncan Lewis domestic violence solicitors in confidence on 0333 772 0409.

For urgent legal help with a domestic violence matter, call the Duncan Lewis Solicitors 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607, where a family lawyer is available 24/7.


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