The Government has confirmed it will strengthen protections in courts for survivors of domestic abuse through an amendment to the Domestic Abuse Bill, following calls from campaigning organisations and the Liberal Democrats.
During Committee Stage of the Bill, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine tabled an amendment calling for the introduction of ‘special measures’ in family courts during Committee Stage of the Bill.
The Government has today announced that it will bring in these changes in their own version of the amendment.
Following the Government announcement Christine Jardine said: “These latest recommendations to protect Domestic Abuse survivors in family courts are what we were asking for in the Bill and so I’m delighted the Government is to recognise this with their own version of our amendment.
“Too often, perpetrators use court proceedings to continue their abuse and control. We’ve heard survivors describe how painful and traumatic court appearances can be. These changes will help.
“We’ve already improved the Government’s Domestic Abuse Bill significantly since it was first introduced last year, and that’s a testament to the survivors who’ve come forward to tell their stories and the campaigners who have kept the pressure on.
“Liberal Democrats will keep fighting for further improvements, including vital changes to address the barriers to support faced by migrant women, as we bring this badly-needed and long-overdue legislation into law.”