Session
National Report
Para 29) The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 will strengthen protections for victims of abuse, whilst also ensuring perpetrators feel the full force of the law. Measures introduced by the Act include: • a statutory definition of domestic abuse to ensure it is properly understood by professionals across policing and law enforcement, health, housing, social care and education; • establishing a Domestic Abuse Commissioner in law to provide accountability to the public and Ministers on failures within statutory service provision and poor practice in services; and • new Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Domestic Abuse Protection Orders, which will help prevent perpetrators from contacting their victims, as well as requiring them to take positive and responsible steps to change their behaviour. Para 30) The UK Government has also released two major complementary strategies: the Tackling VAWG Strategy 2021 and Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan 2022. It has also published an updated version of the National Statement of Expectations, an updated Supporting Male Victims position statement and responded to all Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) recommendations, including making VAWG a part of the Strategic Policing Requirement.
Para 31) Building on this progress, in 2022 the UK Government plans to publish Domestic Abuse Act 2021 Statutory Guidance and a new Victims’ Funding Strategy, which will deliver cross government coordination of funding for victims’ services, including those for sexual violence victims.
Para 33) In Wales, the implementation of The Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015 (the VAWDASV Act) has led to increased training, stronger guidance, practice change and clear strategic direction throughout Welsh public services, all impacting on the lives of those affected. The Welsh Government also published its first National Strategy on VAWDASV for 2016-2021 and published a Delivery Framework (2018-2021), which sets out how the Government will meet commitments made in the National Strategy.
State under Review
Issues
National Report
Stakeholder Summary
Para 16) EHRC noted that domestic abuse and sexual violence were under-reported, and the pandemic had exacerbated the long-term trend in falling prosecutions for domestic abuse. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 had introduced positive reforms, but some gaps remained.
Para 67) HRW noted that domestic violence had increased during the Covid-19 pandemic. JS4 noted that Covid-19 had been disastrous for those suffering from domestic abuse. AI and HRW and RCUK reported that the Domestic Abuse Act (2021) did not provide key protection for migrant women. JS4 noted that the Act was only in force in England and Wales.
Para 77) … JS4 and Redress referred to domestic abuse, including affecting trans women.
Stakeholder Summary