Domestic violence cases clog courts
A RECORD number of domestic violence cases were being dealt with by the family courts amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to official figures.
Ministry of Justice (MoJ) data shows that the number of domestic violence remedy order applications in England and Wales rose by more than a quarter (26%) between July and September, compared with the same period last year.
There were 9,944 applications – intended to protect those experiencing domestic violence – and this was the highest quarterly number since records began more than a decade ago at the start of 2009.
At the same time, the number of orders made rose by 18%.
Most of the applications (82%) were for “non-molestation orders”, which are used to ban a perpetrator from inflicting continued abuse on victims.
The MoJ report said: “The lockdown situation as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic brought warnings about an increase in domestic violence, with victims having less opportunity to leave abusive partners.
“The recent increased trend supports this assertion. Longer term, police forces have been using a power to release alleged perpetrators without bail conditions, referred to as ‘released under investigation’, since 2017.
“This is a possible driving factor behind the rise in domestic violence remedy cases, as victims seek protective orders through the courts.
“The publicity regarding the Domestic Abuse Bill may have also impacted levels.”
Ellie Reeves , Labour’s shadow solicitor general, said: “Since the pandemic began, we have been concerned about the potential impact national lockdowns would have for victims of domestic violence. We must ensure that the criminal justice system is there to support domestic abuse victims through every step of their journey.
“This Government must ensure that we have a criminal justice system that will be there to support domestic victims.”
Meanwhile, senior political leaders across the UK have volunteered to call people facing the prospect of Christmas alone in support of a campaign aiming to tackle loneliness during the festive period.
Boris Johnson, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford and Labour’s deputy Leader Angela Rayner have all backed the #ChristmasTogether initiative.
Mr Johnson and his partner Carrie Symonds spoke to 69-year-old Christine Bound, from Cramlington in Northumberland as part of the “Check In and Chat” service run by NHS Volunteer Responders working with Royal Voluntary Service and the GoodSAM app.
Ms Bound described the call as “wonderful”. Her husband died 12 years ago and all three of her children live away from home.