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GLDVP : Domestic Violence News Updates

Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill receives royal assent.

Protection and support for victims of crime was greatly strengthened as the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill received Royal Assent on the 15th November 2004.

The introduction of the Act will improve legal protection for victims of domestic violence, as it includes important developments that will strengthen powers of the police and the courts to respond more effectively to domestic violence, and to give a clear message that domestic violence is a crime and will not be tolerated:

• the strengthening of police powers to arrest for common assault,
• providing equal access to injunctions in the civil courts for same sex couples and those who've never lived together;
• making a breach of 'non molestation' injunctions a criminal offence;
• enhancing court powers to issue 'restraining orders' at the end of a criminal prosecution on conviction or acquittal, if courts feel there is evidence of continuing risk to the victim.

See: http://www.wired-gov.net/WGLaunch.aspx?ARTCL=28005

Third Annual Report of the London Domestic Violence Forum, 2004

The London Domestic Violence Forum's third annual report, describing its work from November 2003 to November 2004, has been submitted to the Mayor of London. He comments:

' Once again, there has been steady progress on the implementation of the London Domestic Violence Strategy. The past twelve months have seen significant changes at both a regional and local level resulting in greater cohesion of services for both victims and offenders.'

You can download the report which is in pdf / Adobe Acrobat format by going to: http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/domestic_violence/docs/dvar2004.pdf

• Taken from the Greater London Domestic Violence Project's joint November & December 2004 Newsletter.
• The newsletter goes out to nearly 1000 organisations and individuals so it is a good way to publicize events, projects etc..
• The next newsletter will be sent out at the end of January 2005.
• Please send any information to be included by Friday 28th January 2005.
• Contact Rachel Carter at rachel.carter@london.gov.uk and if you want to be added to the newsletter mailing list.