That this House acknowledges the pervasive and deeply harmful impact of domestic abuse on survivors; notes that, while the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 defines domestic abuse, there is no specific criminal offence for domestic abuse in England and Wales; further notes that many domestic abuse cases are prosecuted under broader offences such as common assault, ABH and GBH instead; recognises that as a result, not all domestic abuse cases are properly identified within the criminal justice system; also notes with alarm that this legal gap has meant that some domestic abusers are eligible for release under the SDS40 Early Release Scheme, despite the Government’s attempts to exempt them; and calls on the Government to back the Domestic Abuse (Aggravated Offences) Bill, which would ensure that domestic abuse cases are properly recognised as such in the criminal justice system by creating domestic abuse-aggravated offences, mirroring racially and religiously aggravated offences created in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, enabling more survivors and victims to get the protections they need and deserve.
Signatories (51)
- Josh Babarinde Sponsor
- David Chadwick
- Ian Roome
- Liz Jarvis
- Helen Maguire
- Tim Farron
- Edward Morello
- Wera Hobhouse
- Jess Brown-Fuller
- Jim Shannon
- Caroline Voaden
- Vikki Slade
- Adam Dance
- Tom Morrison
- Anna Sabine
- Steve Darling
- Brian Mathew
- Dr Al Pinkerton
- Claire Young
- Sarah Dyke
- Pippa Heylings
- Christine Jardine
- Clive Jones
- Martin Wrigley
- Rachel Gilmour
- Mr Lee Dillon
- Manuela Perteghella
- Munira Wilson
- Cameron Thomas
- Mr Joshua Reynolds
- Dr Roz Savage
- Ellie Chowns
- John McDonnell
- Calum Miller
- James MacCleary
- Ian Sollom
- Gideon Amos
- Mr Will Forster
- Iqbal Mohamed
- Siân Berry
- Tessa Munt
- Alison Bennett
- Freddie van Mierlo
- Charlie Maynard
- Luke Taylor
- Sarah Olney
- Andrew George
- Alex Brewer
- Sarah Gibson
- Olly Glover
- Adrian Ramsay