02 April 2008
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the victims of domestic violence with the announcement of more than 34 new specialist domestic violence court systems across England and Wales.
Tackling domestic violence has been one of the government's key priorities since 1997. The 34 new specialist domestic violence court systems will bring the total number to 98.
Specialist domestic violence court systems are a fundamental part of the government's efforts to improve the support and care we provide for victims of domestic violence. A multi-agency approach is central to the success of these innovative courts: police, prosecutors court staff, the probation service and specialist support services work together to identify, track and risk assess domestic violence cases, support victims and share information so that more offenders are brought to justice. Amongst the pioneering features are:
- specially trained magistrates in dealing with domestic violence
- separate entrances, exits and waiting areas so that victims don't come into contact with their attackers
- cases clustered on a particular day or fast-tracked through the system, limiting the likelihood of further incidents
- tailored support and advice from Independent Domestic Violence Advisors
Justice Minister, Bridget Prentice said:
'Since 1997 this government has done substantial work in trying to tackle this particularly appalling crime. Domestic violence deeply affects victims, regardless of gender, race, class, age and sexuality.
'This work is a continuation of the joint National Delivery Plan for Domestic Violence which sets out clear aims and objectives and is proving to be effective in protecting victims and bringing perpetrators to justice.
'Their success shows that where victims of domestic violence have confidence in the criminal justice system to report these crimes, the system will help them.'
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said:
'Improving the support available to the courageous victims of these devastating crimes is crucial in encouraging people to come forward. The success and expansion of the Specialist Domestic Violence Courts system will ensure that we continue to bring more perpetrators to justice and improve the support and safety of victims.
'We have made good progress on domestic violence over the last ten years but we know there is more to do and I want to reassure women everywhere that keeping them safe from harm is a top government priority.'
The Attorney General, Baroness Scotland QC said:
'The specialist domestic violence courts are a fundamental part of our effort to improve the support and care we provide for victims of domestic violence. We are committed to providing a first class prosecution service.
'By providing specialist training for prosecutors and better support systems for victims we are seeing a tangible difference in performance. In the last four years we have seen marked success - and we need to keep aiming higher.
'Perpetrators must be brought to justice, and when they are our specialist prosecutors and support services will be there to assist victims every step of the way.'
In a review of the first 23 specialist domestic violence court systems systems, published on 8 March, it is clear that they have contributed to improvements in both justice and safety for domestic violence victims. Ten of those achieved a successful prosecution rate of over 70%, with one reaching over 80% and the remaining 12 achieving an average rate of 66%.
Other key findings of the Review, conducted jointly by the Crown Prosecution Service, the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice, which analysed the data and performance of the 23 specialist domestic violence court systems in England and Wales from October 2006 until March 2007 are:
- An improvement in the responses of individual agencies: in relation to the police, a high level of domestic violence crimes being arrested (an average of over 80%);
- Just under 6,000 victim referrals were made to Independent Domestic Violence Advisers - an average of 269 referrals per IDVA service; and, around three-quarters (74%) of clients involved in the court process were supported by Independent Domestic Violence Advisers at court.
We are delighted that these courts are proving successful and hope to continue rolling them out nationally.
Notes to editors
1. The full list of the new selected specialist domestic violence court systems areas:
| Region | Local justice area | Courthouse |
|---|---|---|
| East Midlands | Mansfield LJA | Mansfield MC |
| Eastern | Beds and Mid Beds LJA | Bedford MC |
| Eastern | Luton and South Beds LJA | Luton MC |
| North East | Gateshead District LJA | Gateshead MC |
| North West | South Cheshire LJA | Crewe MC |
| North West | Furness and District LJA, South Lakeland LJA | Barrow-in-Furness MC and Kendal MC |
| North West | West Allerdale and Keswick LJA, Whitehaven LJA | Workington MC and Whitehaven MC |
| North West | Fylde Coast LJA | Fylde Coast MC in Blackpool |
| North West | Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale LJA | Burnley MC |
| North West | Lancaster LJA | Lancaster MC |
| North West | Preston LJA | Preston MC |
| North West | South Ribble LJA | Leyland MC |
| North West | Ormskirk LJA | Ormskirk MC |
| South East | Central Kent LJA | Maidstone MC |
| South East | Sussex Central LJA | Brighton MC |
| South East | Sussex Eastern LJA | Hastings MC, Eastbourne MC and Lewes MC |
| South East | Sussex Western and Northern LJAs | Worthing MC and Crawley MC |
| South East | Maidenhead - East Berks LJA; Reading - Reading LJA; Newbury - West Berks LJA | Reading MC, Maidenhead MC and Newbury MC |
| South East | Milton Keynes LJA | Milton Keynes MC |
| South East | Oxford LJA | Oxford and Southern Oxfordshire MC |
| South West | Bath and Wansdyke LJA | Bath MC |
| South West | Bristol | Bristol MC |
| South West | North Somerset | North Somerset MC |
| South West | North Devon LJA | Barnstaple MC |
| South West | East Cornwall LJA | Bodmin MC |
| South West | West Cornwall LJA | Truro MC |
| South West | South Devon LJA | Torquay and Newton Abbot MC |
| South West | North Wiltshire LJA and Swindon LJA | Chippenham MC |
| South West | Swindon LJA | Swindon MC |
| Wales | Flintshire LJA | Mold MC |
| West Midlands | Shrewsbury LJA | Shrewsbury MC |
| West Midlands | Telford and Bridgnorth LJA | Telford MC |
| West Midlands | Warwickshire LJA | Nuneaton, Rugby and Stratford Upon Avon MC |
| Yorkshire/Humberside | Wakefield LJA | Wakefield and Pontefract MC |
| South East | Southampton | Southampton MC |
2. The Specialist Domestic Violence Review
3. Further information on Specialist Domestic Violence Courts
4. Details of Sexual Assault Referral Centres
5. More information on the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004
6. More information on International Women's Day
7. The Ministry of Justice Press Office can be contacted on 020 7210 8695.