Following a consultation, draft proposals have been published including measures to give a legal definition of domestic abuse.
The definition would mean wider forms of abuse such as financial or controlling behaviour would be included.
Co-director of Restored, Andrew Caplen told Premier: “It’s quite useful for people to know what domestic abuse is because sometimes people can be subject to domestic abuse and not actually realise that that’s what they are undergoing.”
Another proposal is to stop alleged abusers from cross-examining their accusers in family courts.
Caplen told Premier: “It can be extremely frightening, extremely terrifying to them because of course they have been subject to abuse in one way or another, whether it’s been economic, financial or even physical abuse.”
The legislation will also clarify the workings of “Clare’s Law” – a measure introduced four years ago to permit police to tell a member of the public of concerns over a partner’s previous violence.
Theresa May included domestic abuse as a key pledge in the 2017 Queen’s Speech.
Government estimates put the cost to the economy of domestic abuse and its consequences at £66bn in 2016/17.
Campaigners have said the measures are a “once in a generation” opportunity to combat the impact of abuse but also argued more money will be needed.
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