Ministry of Justice
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Domestic violence: six new special courts announced
Victims of domestic violence will receive extra help and support from six new Specialist Domestic Violence Courts (SDVCs), announced today.
The new courts will be in Wales, the East Midlands, North East, North West and South East. They will add to the 98 SDVCs across England and Wales that are now a fundamental part of the Government's efforts to improve the support and care provided for victims of domestic violence. The first SDVC accreditation process took place in 2005/2006 with 25 accredited in April 2006.
These innovative courts work by bringing together police, prosecutors, court staff, the probation service and specialist support services so that more offenders are brought to justice. Amongst the pioneering features are:
* trained and dedicated criminal justice staff with enhanced expertise in dealing with domestic violence, including magistrates specially trained in dealing with domestic violence cases
* cases clustered on a particular day to enable all agencies to focus their specialist resources
* tailored support and advice from Independent Domestic Violence Advisors.
Justice Minister, Bridget Prentice said:
"Just because domestic violence goes on behind closed doors doesn't mean we can ignore the issue. It's a crime and will not be tolerated in our society.
"These six new courts will boost our existing network of Specialist Domestic Violence Courts which are central to the package of support we offer domestic violence victims. It's important that victims of these crimes have confidence in the justice system - these special courts will help with this."
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said:
"Domestic Violence is a devastating crime and through almost 100 Specialist Domestic Violence Courts already in place we are providing victims across the country with the support they need to come forward and help us bring these perpetrators to justice. We know this approach is working - the number of prosecutions has doubled in the past four years and an average of 70 per cent of cases now result in a successful prosecution.
"These six additional Specialist Domestic Violence Courts will mean that even more victims can benefit from these services."
The Attorney General, Baroness Scotland QC said:
"The selection of six further Specialist Domestic Violence Courts will enable the Crown Prosecution Service to continue to build on the improvements in the number of successful outcomes in domestic violence cases. We welcome the opportunity to work with partners in an integrated way, in order to improve the safety, satisfaction and support of women experiencing domestic violence."
In the recent Home Affairs Select Committee report on Domestic Violence, Forced Marriage and "Honour"-Based Violence, a Victim Support worker said:
"The SDVC is brilliant. Having everyone in court trained about domestic violence issues is just great. The way the courts work has also sent out a message that the safety of the victim is considered paramount."
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.
Notes to Editors
1. The full list of the new selected specialist domestic violence court systems areas:
Region Local Justice Area Courthouse(s)
East Midlands As per Corby, Daventry,
courthouses: Kettering, Northampton,
Towcester, Wellingborough
East Midlands Loughborough LJA Loughborough
North East Sunderland Sunderland
North West Manchester City Manchester
South East Northern North Oxford (Banbury)
Oxfordshire
Wales Vale of Glamorgan Barry, Vale of Glamorgan
2. Link to Specialist Domestic Violence Review: a 2007 review undertaken of the first tranche of 23 Specialist Domestic Violence Courts,: http://www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/dv/dv018.htm http://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/equality/index.html
3. Link to the recent Early evaluation of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/announcement140808a.htm
4. Further information on Specialist Domestic Violence Courts http://www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/domesticviolence/domesticviolence59.htm
5. Link to Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2004/ukpga_20040028_en_1
6. Link to the recent Home Affairs Select Committee Report: Domestic Violence, Forced Marriage and "Honour"-Based Violence - 13th June 2008: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmhaff.htm#reports
7. Link to website for Sexual Assault Referral Centres: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime-victims/reducing-crime/sexual-offences/sexual-assault-referral-centres/referral-centre-locations/?version=4
8. CPS prosecution and conviction rates for Domestic Violence is available for all 6 areas on request.
9. The Ministry of Justice Press Office can be contacted on 020 33 34 35 36.
