Parental loophole on murder closed

A legal loophole which allows parents co-accused of their child’s
murder to escape punishment by remaining silent or blaming each
other is to be closed.

The move is contained in the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims
Bill published this week, which would create a new offence of
familial homicide for causing or allowing the death of a child or
vulnerable adult.

Other measures include making common assault an arrestable offence
and giving police new powers to deal with domestic violence.

Civil law on domestic violence will be strengthened to give
co-habiting same-sex couples the same protection as heterosexual
couples.

The government also proposes to give victims stronger legal
protection by extending the use of restraining orders and setting
up an independent commissioner for victims.

– Bill from www.parliament.uk