Judges & police ‘failing victims of domestic abuse’
Fewer than 300 convicted under coercive control law
THE new law against “controlling behaviour” has produced fewer than 300 convictions in two years, figures revealed yesterday.
Charities warn that police and judges do not fully understand the rules on coercive or controlling behaviour.
In 2017 alone, there were 70,853 convictions for domestic abuserelated crimes.
But in 2016 and 2017 combined, fewer than
300 convictions were under the new law within the 2015 Serious
Crime Act, which made coercive or controlling behaviour an offence.
An estimated two million people experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2018. Women’s Aid chief executive Katie Ghose said many cases involve controlling behaviour. She said: “The number of cases brought to court is woefully small. We need to raise awareness with police in particular.
“The fact that it does not involve bruises does not mean it is not serious – far from it.”
Yesterday, the charity marked International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The Mirror is campaigning for greater victims’ rights.
Last week, we told how a judge deemed a woman too “strong and capable” to be a victim of coercive behaviour. Paul Measor, 35, abused ex-partner Lauren Smith, 24, daily. She recorded nine of Measor’s rants, which were played in court.
But at Teesside magistrates court he was acquitted of controlling and coercive behaviour, as District Judge Helen Cousins said it did not have a “serious effect” on Lauren’s life.
He was convicted of two common assaults and jailed for five months.
The Government will soon announce draft legislation for its domestic abuse bill. Figures reveal that almost 61% of abuse survivors have endured controlling behaviour.
Around 1.3 million women and 695,000 men suffered domestic abuse in the year to March 2018, the Crime Survey for England and Wales shows.
It may not involve bruises but that doesn’t mean it’s not serious KATIE GHOSE ON DANGER OF COERCIVE BEHAVIOUR