18th April 2008 08/89
Justice served for tackling domestic
violence
Victims of abuse will get even better support through the
judicial system following news that West Lancashire has been named
as a Specialist Domestic Violence Court Area.
Tackling domestic violence has been one of the West Lancashire
Community Safety Partnership’s top priorities for a number of
years. So the District Council and partner agencies have been
working tirelessly to achieve this court status because it will
bring a co-ordinated community response to the complex issue of
domestic violence.
Having this new system in West Lancashire means it will improve
the support and care for victims of this type of offence because a
multi-agency approach is key to the success of these innovative
courts.
It means that the police, prosecutors, court staff, the
probation service and specialist support services will work
together to identify, track and risk assess domestic violence
cases, support victims and share information so that more offenders
are brought to justice.
Additional features include having specially trained criminal
justice staff dealing with domestic violence; separate entrances,
exits and waiting areas so that victims don't come into contact
with their attackers; cases brought together on a particular day or
fast-tracked through the system, limiting the likelihood of further
incidents; tailored support and advice from the Independent
Domestic Violence Advisor and specialist domestic violence services
in West Lancashire; community-based perpetrator programmes; and
additional children’s services.
Bill Taylor, Chairman of the West Lancashire Community Safety
Partnership, said: "I’m delighted that we have got this rewarding
status because it will only help improve the level of service we
provide to victims of domestic violence. West Lancashire has
achieved this recognition along with a number of other areas in
Lancashire. Lancashire has been working towards an integrated,
co-ordinated approach across the county. This success is testimony
to all the hard work all the agencies have put into achieving this
recognition and shows that we will collectively take a zero
tolerance approach to any sort of domestic violence. It will also
give victims confidence in the criminal justice system to report
these crimes, and know that the system will help them."
West Lancashire was one of only 30 in this round of
accreditation to be chosen as a new specialist domestic violence
court system throughout England and Wales.
Research also shows that in a review of the first 23 specialist
domestic violence court systems, they have contributed to
improvements in both justice and safety for domestic violence
victims. Ten of those achieved a successful prosecution rate of
over 70%, with one reaching over 80% and the remaining 12 achieving
an average rate of 66%. Because these types of courts are proving
successful, the Government is hoping to continue rolling them out
nationally.
For more information about the work the Council is doing on
domestic violence, visit our domestic violence pages.
Anyone who is suffering abuse and wants support can contact West
Lancashire Women’s Refuge on 0808 100 3062 or Women’s Aid National
on 0808 2000 247. Abusive partners can contact the Respect helpline
on 0845 122 8609.
Related information
> Domestic
violence
> Community
safety